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TANAKA commissions 500 kW hydrogen fuel cell facility

2026-07-17

TANAKA Precious Metal Technologies has commissioned TANAKA H2 Nexus, a 500-kW pure hydrogen fuel cell power generation facility at its Shonan plant in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The company said the installation is among the country's largest hydrogen fuel cell power generation facilities and began operations on July 8, 2026.

Powered entirely by pure hydrogen, the facility is expected to supply around 34 per cent of the electricity consumed by the adjacent Shonan manufacturing plant when operating at full capacity. According to the company, the project will support its long-term strategy of reducing carbon emissions while enhancing energy security through hydrogen-based power generation.

TANAKA said the facility will also serve as an operational platform to gain practical experience in hydrogen utilisation, complementing its long-standing research and development in fuel cell and hydrogen technologies. The company has been developing precious metal catalysts for fuel cells since the 1980s and manufactures products including water electrolysis catalysts, gas reforming catalysts, hydrogen-permeable membranes and precious metal-plated electrodes.

Koichiro Tanaka, Group CEO, TANAKA Precious Metal Group, said the project represents a step towards demonstrating hydrogen technologies through real-world applications while contributing to the development of a sustainable hydrogen economy.

Tomoyuki Tada, Chief Operating Officer, TANAKA Precious Metal Technologies, said operating the facility would enable the company to identify practical challenges associated with hydrogen utilisation and strengthen collaboration with industry partners to support wider adoption of hydrogen technologies.

The project forms part of Japan's broader efforts to accelerate decarbonisation and promote hydrogen as a low-carbon energy source for industrial applications.

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