Core Insights - The electrolyzer industry is experiencing rapid growth driven by the increasing demand for green hydrogen, with over 700 planned projects in China by the end of 2024, corresponding to a demand for 143 GW of electrolyzers [1][19] - The total production capacity of electrolyzers in China is expected to reach 47.7 GW per year by 2024 and is projected to exceed 58 GW by 2025 [1][9] - The market for electrolyzers has seen explosive growth in bidding activities, with monthly bidding volumes increasing nearly fourfold from an average of 60 MW in 2023 to 230 MW in the first half of 2025 [1][15] Industry Overview - Electrolyzers are essential devices in the electrochemical industry, widely used in chlor-alkali, metallurgy, water treatment, and green hydrogen production [2] - The electrolyzer market is characterized by four main technology routes: Alkaline (ALK), Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM), Solid Oxide (SOEC), and Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) [3][4] Policy Analysis - The Chinese government has introduced several policies to support the electrolyzer industry, including the "Hydrogen Energy Industry Development Mid-Long Term Plan (2021-2035)" which positions hydrogen as a key component of the national energy system [6][8] - Policies such as the "2024-2025 Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction Action Plan" emphasize the importance of electrolyzer technology in achieving carbon neutrality goals [6][8] Current Market Conditions - The production capacity of alkaline electrolyzers dominates the market, accounting for 39 GW in 2024, with a significant year-on-year growth of 67% [9][11] - The shipment volume of electrolyzers in China has shown a fluctuating trend, with a peak in 2023 followed by a slight decline in 2024 due to various challenges in green hydrogen project implementation [11] Pricing Trends - The prices of electrolyzers have been on a downward trend, with alkaline electrolyzer prices decreasing by approximately 12% in 2024 compared to 2023 [13] - The average price of PEM electrolyzers has dropped by about 20%, indicating a potential for further cost reductions as the application scale expands [13] Competitive Landscape - The Chinese electrolyzer market is characterized by a concentration of leading companies, with the top 10 firms holding a significant market share [21][22] - Major players like Pairui Hydrogen Energy and Longi Hydrogen Energy are leading the market with diverse technology strategies, including both alkaline and PEM electrolyzers [21][22] Future Development Trends - The electrolyzer industry is entering a high-growth phase, with market expansion driven by increasing green hydrogen demand and diverse application scenarios [24] - The competition is expected to intensify, with a focus on technological differentiation, standardization, and global expansion to build competitive advantages [26]

Report Industry Investment Rating No relevant content provided. Core Views of the Report - The hydrogen energy sector is a key focus in the platinum market. Platinum is a crucial catalyst in proton exchange membrane technology, while palladium is used in hydrogen purification but has low technology penetration due to high costs [1][2][63]. - The hydrogen energy industry is currently in a bottleneck period, facing challenges in technology, cost, safety, and infrastructure. These factors limit the growth of downstream hydrogen demand [2][26]. - By 2030, platinum demand in the hydrogen energy sector is expected to reach around 5.53 tons. In the next 5 years, this demand will remain small and unlikely to impact the overall platinum supply - demand balance. The growth of platinum demand is slower than expected due to the decline in fuel - cell vehicle sales, and proton exchange membrane electrolyzers may surpass fuel - cell vehicles as the main application scenario for platinum demand in the hydrogen energy sector [2][59][60]. Summary by Directory 1. Tracing the Origins: Physical and Chemical Properties of Platinum and Palladium and Their Applications in the Hydrogen Energy Industry - In 2024, global platinum demand in hydrogen - related fields was only about 44 thousand ounces, accounting for 0.53% of the total demand. There is no separate statistical data for palladium in the hydrogen - related field [6]. - Platinum is mainly used in hydrogen production and utilization, while palladium is mainly used in the purification stage of hydrogen production [10]. - Platinum is a catalyst material for proton exchange membranes. Proton exchange membranes are widely used in hydrogen production and utilization. Platinum has high catalytic activity and acid - resistance stability, making it suitable for this role [12][18][19]. - Palladium can selectively permeate hydrogen and is used in hydrogen purification. However, due to high costs, the palladium membrane method has low penetration compared to the PSA method [20][21][25]. 2. A Long Road Ahead: Analysis of the Hydrogen Energy Industry Development - **Current situation**: Electrolytic water hydrogen production is growing rapidly, but fuel - cell vehicles, the main application of hydrogen fuel cells, are facing difficulties in promotion, with a decline in new promotion numbers [2][27]. - **Advantages**: Hydrogen energy has excellent coupling with renewable energy, which can solve the mismatch between renewable energy power generation and power consumption [29][30]. - **Policy differences**: China views the hydrogen energy industry as an important means to achieve the dual - carbon goal. Japan and South Korea focus on fuel - cell vehicles, while EU countries represented by Germany emphasize environmental protection and energy supply [2][34][36]. - **Bottlenecks**: The hydrogen energy industry is restricted by technology, cost, safety, and infrastructure, which limit the growth of downstream hydrogen demand [2][26][38]. 3. Long - Term Strategy: Estimation of Platinum and Palladium Demand in the Hydrogen Energy Industry - **Single consumption of core applications**: In fuel - cell vehicles, the estimated platinum consumption per passenger car is about 25 grams, and per commercial vehicle is about 65 grams. For proton exchange membrane electrolyzers, the estimated platinum consumption per megawatt is about 700 grams. Reducing platinum loading is a major research direction in the proton exchange membrane industry [42][43][44]. - **Development prediction of related fields**: For proton exchange membrane electrolyzers, the maximum installed capacity of announced projects is about 520GW, but after excluding early - stage projects, the maximum installed capacity from 2025 - 2030 is 225GW. It is predicted that by 2030, the new installed capacity of proton exchange membrane electrolyzers will have a compound annual growth rate of 44% - 56%. For proton exchange membrane fuel cells, considering infrastructure challenges, it is predicted that by 2030, fuel - cell commercial vehicle sales will have a small compound annual decline of 1% - 5%, and passenger vehicle sales will have a larger decline of 23% - 27% [48][50][54]. - **Prediction results**: By 2030, platinum demand in the hydrogen energy sector is expected to reach around 5.53 tons. In the next 5 years, this demand will be small, the growth rate is slower than expected, and proton exchange membrane electrolyzers may become the main application scenario for platinum demand [59][60][61].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the upcoming development boom in the hydrogen energy sector, driven by new policies and pilot projects outlined by the National Energy Administration, focusing on green power and green chemicals as core areas for hydrogen development [2][3][4]. Policy Interpretation - **Support Policy 1**: Project pilots will promote advanced hydrogen technologies and key equipment, ensuring clear commercial models and significant carbon reduction effects. Central government funding for smart grid projects is approximately 960 million yuan, which can include hydrogen power projects [6]. - **Support Policy 2**: Encourages renewable energy consumption and hydrogen production during low electricity demand periods, aiming to reduce hydrogen production costs and improve energy efficiency [7]. - **Support Policy 3**: Local energy departments will enhance support for pilot projects, addressing cost management and safety, and promoting the replication of successful models [8]. - **Support Policy 4**: Eligible projects will receive priority for long-term loans and support for major technological equipment, facilitating the establishment of industry standards [9]. - **Support Policy 5**: The National Energy Administration will coordinate major issues faced by pilot projects, ensuring they are included in significant engineering project databases [10]. Pilot Directions - **Hydrogen Production**: Focus on large-scale hydrogen production using renewable energy sources, with specific requirements for electrolyzer capacity and operational flexibility [12][13][15]. - **Hydrogen Storage and Transportation**: Emphasizes the need for efficient long-distance hydrogen transport through pipelines and liquid hydrogen, with specific capacity requirements for transport vehicles and storage projects [16][18]. - **Hydrogen Applications**: Highlights the role of hydrogen in green chemical processes and energy supply, with specific targets for renewable hydrogen production and integration into existing energy systems [20][21][23][24]. Common Support - **Hydrogen Verification Platforms**: Establishes platforms for testing hydrogen equipment and quality management, supporting the development of industry standards [26][27]. - **Low-Carbon Transition Trials**: Focuses on integrating renewable hydrogen production and storage in various industrial applications, aiming for over 80% clean energy consumption in targeted areas [28].