W. L. Gore & Associates Release New Ultra-low Degradation Data Advancing PEM Durability For Water Electrolysis

ELKTON, Md. (June 24, 2026) — W. L. Gore & Associates announced, in collaboration with ITM Power, the release of improved long-term durability data in Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis (PEMWE) detailed in new white paper titled Ultra-Low Degradation in PEM Electrolysis: Enabling Scalable and Efficient Green Hydrogen Production. The companies present results from two PEMWE prototypes tested under differential pressure detailing new benchmarks exceeding international performance targets in PEMWE, a critical technology for scalable green hydrogen production.

“We are excited to share these findings at a time when publicly available durability data sets remain limited and the growing need for greater energy independence is critical to driving innovation,” says Lutz Biewer, Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Business Development, Gore Clean Energy.

The prototypes were tested under differential pressure continuously. The first design demonstrated exceptional durability and chemical stability, achieving an irreversible voltage decay rate equivalent to less than 1% performance degradation per year, meeting or exceeding international 2030 performance targets.

A second, thinner membrane design was evaluated for more than 11,000 hours incorporating a 50-micrometer membrane and an alternative recombination catalyst design to further improve efficiency. Despite its reduced thickness, this design delivered stable and safe operation with a voltage decay rate 40% lower than 2030 international degradation targets, alongside projected operating lifetimes approaching 80,000 hours.