Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL) is the chief part of a fuel cell. It is typically created of woven carbon cloth or non-woven carbon fiber paper. The principal goal of the hydrogen fuel cell gas diffusion layer is to sustain the catalyst layer, which offers great mechanical robustness, effortless gas admission to the catalyst, and augments the electrical conductivity. GDL is an essential sustaining material in Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA). Majority of the standard gas diffusion layers are present with hydrophobic treatment (PTFE) and a Micro Porous Layer (MPL). The micro porous layer and hydrophobic treatment back up the connection with the membrane and water administration. The micro porous layer offers an even layer with adequate surface area for effective contact with the membrane and catalyst.
Business Research Insights states that the global hydrogen fuel cell gas diffusion layer market size was USD 7214.98 million in 2020 and is estimated to display a CAGR of 17.68% during the forecast period.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
COVID-19 influences the majority of the industries in a varied manner. The outbreak has tossed the growth switch in each sector of the global economy, and the power generation sector is not excluded. The surging spread of the virus has also mandated the hydrogen fuel cell gas diffusion layer companies to deploy precautionary actions in their workplaces comprising labors and plant regulator screening & monitoring and sanitizing the units. This has further augmented the plant operational prices, which ultimately amplified the costs of these high value-added carbon papers. Nevertheless, unlocking and renewing of industries pooled with fluctuating emphasis on manufacturing and sustainable development are predicted to boost the growth of the energy sector over the post-pandemic period.
Below mentioned are the top 7 players functioning in the market:
1. SGL
SGL is a Germany-based company. It is one of the world's pioneering producers of several products from carbon.
Along with 31 manufacturing locations across the world (17 in Europe, 9 in North America, and 5 in Asia), and a service network in more than 100 nations, SGL is a worldwide functioning company. Its headquarters are located in Wiesbaden, Germany.
2. Freudenberg
Freudenberg is located in Germany. In 2021, Freudenberg stood out as an agile and flexible global technology corporation, with a methodically-based principle of progress. Its employees are professionals in leading technological products, services, and solutions that are utilized in thousands of applications and around 40 market segments.
3. AvCarb
Since AvCarb’s preliminary days in the 1960’s, it has gained a status for invention, superiority, and excellence. It is engaged in the U.S. space program and engineering advanced hydrogen fuel cell gas diffusion layer products for the automotive sector. AvCarb has a rich history of commercializing empowering technologies. Currently, as the applications of its offerings are quite extensive, its markets usually fall into two separate classifications, electrochemical and friction.
4. Toray
Toray is a multinational corporation located in Japan that is a pioneer in industrial products positioned on technologies in polymer chemistry, organic synthetic chemistry, and biochemistry.
Its primary business zones are fibers and textiles as well as plastics and chemicals. The company has also expanded into areas such as reverse osmosis, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, R&D, housing, medical products, electronics, IT products, and engineering as well as advanced composite materials.
5. Teijin
Teijin is a Japanese chemical, pharmaceutical, and information technology company. Its chief arenas of operation are high-performance fibers such as aramid, healthcare, films, resin & plastic processing, polyester fibers, carbon fibers & composites, and IT products.
6. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC)
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation or MCC is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation. It is a Japan-based corporation that collaborated with Mitsubishi Pharma Corporation in 2005 to form Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation. Mitsubishi Chemical is the biggest chemical corporation located in Japan.
7. CeTech
CeTech was founded in September 2006, grounded on the idea of developing “Clean Energy Technology”. The company is situated in Taichung, Taiwan. It mainly utilizes carbon ingredients to manufacture synthetic graphite sheet for smartphone heat administration, hydrogen fuel cell gas diffusion layer, intended for fuel cells and graphite electrodes meant for Vanadium Redox-flow Battery (VRB). CeTech possesses a radical and proficient research & development expert team that can offer great quality and performance output. Other product offerings include extraordinary performance and the best cost in the market. Synthetic graphite sheets and GDLs are presently its first priority.
Measures Taken by Top Players to Tackle the Emission Issue
World leaders have amalgamated to battle against greenhouse releases and to capitalize in the cleaner energy source. Furthermore, concentrated research & development in the hydrogen fuel cell gas diffusion layer technology has permitted its commercialization, and numerous nations are accepting this technology to generate electricity.