Global leader in sustainable technologies, Johnson Matthey (JM), has signed a lease at Culham Science Centre near Abingdon, Oxfordshire, occupying just over 3,000 sq. ft. to support its new Hydrogen Technologies business unit.
JM acquired the assets and intellectual property of lithium-sulfur battery developer OXIS Energy, based at Culham Science Centre, earlier this year to accelerate the scale-up of its growing green hydrogen business and future battery materials technology.
Demand for green hydrogen is projected to grow from a very small market today to meeting – along with blue hydrogen – the almost ten-fold increase in hydrogen demand between now and 2050, and the hydrogen fuel cell market is forecast to grow more than three-fold through to 2027.
Eugene McKenna, Managing Director of Green Hydrogen at Johnson Matthey, said:
“Hydrogen has an enormous potential role in the decarbonisation of society. Johnson Matthey’s hydrogen technologies enable the production of hydrogen and its use in fuel cells, and the move to Culham demonstrates JM’s continued commitment to building the hydrogen economy and progressing towards net-zero. We look forward to utilising the assets we have acquired at Culham Science Centre, which have a key role to play in the scale-up of our Hydrogen Technologies business unit.”
Johnson Matthey will undertake a review of the building and upgrade of key equipment acquired, JM will officially open the building in early 2022.
Culham Science Centre is owned by UKAEA and is home to over 40 science and engineering businesses, collectively employing over 2,500 people.
Dawn Russell, Commercial Property Manager, Culham Science Centre, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Johnson Matthey to our growing community of businesses that are committed to harnessing science and technology to develop clean energy.”
Culham Science Centre recently held a topping-out ceremony to mark the completion of the main structure for UKAEA’s new H3AT (Hydrogen-3 Advanced Technology) and Fusion Technology facility. In addition to being used by UKAEA, it will also promote opportunities for industry collaboration in fusion energy research. The facility is expected to open in June 2022 and will provide the UK with unique capabilities for developing fusion as a sustainable source of energy.
For further information about Culham Science Centre, visit: culham.org.uk.
