Press Release

Niterra and AVL Are Developing a Disruptive Hydrogen Production Technology

AVL, one of the leading mobility and energy technology companies, is pleased to announce a partnership with Niterra, Nagoya, Japan, to develop and industrialize disruptive technology for green hydrogen production.
Niterra and AVL are developing a disruptive hydrogen production technology

AVL, the leading mobility and energy technology company, is pleased to announce a partnership with Niterra, Nagoya, Japan, to develop and industrialize disruptive technology for green hydrogen production.

Graz, (Tokyo, Nagoya) May 21, 2025: Niterra Co., Ltd. (“Niterra”), headquartered in Nagoya, Japan, is a leading manufacturer of ceramic-based automotive components such as spark plugs and oxygen sensors. Niterra is currently developing solid oxide electrolyzer technology that leverages electrochemical technologies and manufacturing expertise.

The partners will focus on the development, scale-up and industrialization of Solid Oxide (SOEC) Electrolyzer technology. This technology offers a disruptive advantage in terms of energy efficiency in the conversion of electrical energy to hydrogen compared to competing technologies like Alkaline, PEM or AEM. This advantage is of particular significance if the process is coupled to a source of exhaust heat like steel production, refining, chemicals or in the production of synthetic fuels. 

The partners bring in their whole expertise in this area into this collaboration. Niterra has decades long experience in Solid Oxide Cells/Stack and AVL in the integration of stacks into stack modules and complete electrolyzer systems. Together they will focus on the development of stack modules and complete electrolyzer systems.

The cooperation was announced on May 21 as part of the Austrian trade mission “Composing the Future - Together” by AVL CEO Prof. Helmut List and the Executive Officer Energy Business of Niterra Keiji Suzuki in the presence of the Federal President of the Republic of Austria, Dr. Alexander Van der Bellen.

Mr. Keiji Suzuki, Executive Officer Energy Business Div, Niterra, said: “SOEC is poised to introduce the most effective green hydrogen production to the industrial sector. Leveraging Niterra’s extensive history in electrochemical material technologies and through a collaboration with AVL on market-proven system design, we are making significant strides towards the industrial-scale realization of a carbon-neutral industry.”

Prof. Helmut List, Onwer and CEO, AVL, added: “SOEC is becoming increasingly important in the production of green hydrogen due to its efficiency advantage. The collaboration with Niterra is an important step in advancing the scaling of this key technology – with the clear goal of sustainably reducing industrial CO₂ emissions and actively shaping the transition to a climate-friendly energy future.”

© Photo: ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA Tokyo

f.l.t.r.: Kathryn List - CEO AVL Cultural Foundation, Helmut List - CEO AVL, Alexander Van der Bellen - Federal President of the Republic of Austria, Doris Schmidauer, Keiji Suzuki - Executive Officer Niterra, Shigeki Mori - Division Manager Energy Business Niterra

 

About AVL

With more than 12,200 employees, AVL is one of the world's leading mobility technology companies for development, simulation and testing in the automotive industry and in other sectors such as rail, shipping and energy. Based on extensive in-house research activities, AVL delivers concepts, technology solutions, methodologies and development tools for a greener, safer and better world of mobility and beyond.

AVL supports international partners and customers in sustainable and digital transformation. The focus here is on the areas of electrification, software, AI and automation. AVL also supports companies in energy-intensive sectors on their way to green and efficient energy generation and supply.

AVL's passion is innovation. Together with an international network of experts spanning 90 locations with more than 50 competence and development centers worldwide, AVL is driving the future of mobility. In 2024, the company generated a turnover of 2.03 billion euros, of which 11% was invested in R&D activities. 

For more information: www.avl.com

 

About Niterra

Founded in Nagoya, Japan in 1936, Niterra Co., Ltd. (formerly NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.) is renowned for its NGK-branded spark plugs and NTK-branded ceramic products. Niterra, a coined word combining the Latin words "niteo" (shine) and "terra" (Earth), was introduced in April 2023 to express the reborn company's commitment to sustainability through an evolving portfolio focused on ceramics and beyond. Under the corporate message "IGNITE YOUR SPIRIT," Niterra is now expanding into the growth fields of mobility, healthcare, environment and energy, and communications. The company's consolidated revenues in fiscal 2024   (to March 2025) totaled 652.9 billion yen (4,267 million USD). Niterra has 31 bases in Japan and 62 overseas, and approximately 16,000 employees worldwide. 

For more Information: www.niterragroup.com/english/

 

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Contact
Dr. Markus Tomaschitz, Unternehmenssprecher AVL
Tel.: +43 664 100 0289
E-mail: Markus.Tomaschitz@avl.com