Bekaert builds new factory for electrolysis materials

Investments in Wetteren, Zwevegem and Deerlijk

In Wetteren Bekaert is setting up a new factory for the production of porous transport layers (PTL), which are used in the electrolysis of water to make (green) hydrogen. In the new location, metal fibers will be made for those porous transport layers, the final production of which will be in Zwevegem happens. There, too, the PTL department will expand to a limited extent. With the new plant, Bekaert doubles its annual production capacity of PTL. In addition, the group is investing in a hydrogen laboratory in its technology center dear.

It is not yet known exactly how much Bekaert will pay and how many additional jobs it will create through the investments. The company expects to be able to say more about this later.

Opportunities in new energy market

Bekaert sees “opportunities arising from current energy transition and decarbonisation trends”. That is why the company says it is now accelerating its “growth strategy in renewable energy markets, especially in green hydrogen production”.

With green hydrogen, the electrolysis of water is done with electricity from renewable sources.