We are interested in forming a transnational consortium for Topic 6, focused on blockchain-based traceability, transparency and circularity of critical raw materials - specifically platinum-group metals (iridium, platinum) - across the value chain of hydrogen technologies (PEM electrolysers and fuel cells).
Working within the Referenzfabrik.H2 ecosystem, we have direct access to pilot-line manufacturing data for electrolyser components (bipolar plates, membrane-electrode assemblies, stack assembly), which we see as a strong foundation for a data-acquisition and production-integration work package linking real manufacturing processes to a digital traceability layer.
We are particularly interested in leading or contributing to work packages on: production-data acquisition and integration; chain-of-custody modelling for PGM-containing components; interoperability between existing traceability/blockchain systems; and requirements engineering for hydrogen-specific raw material transparency.
We welcome collaboration with universities, research organisations, recycling and metallurgy specialists, sustainability assessment (LCA/TEA) experts, and blockchain or digital-identity specialists, to build a consortium covering the full PGM/hydrogen value chain - from secondary-source recovery through manufacturing to end-of-life circularity.

Fraunhofer IWU (Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology, Chemnitz) is part of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Europe's largest organisation for applied research. IWU develops manufacturing technologies for hydrogen systems within the Referenzfabrik.H2 initiative (part of Germany's H2Giga programme), including forming and joining processes for bipolar plates, membrane-electrode assembly, and stack production at pilot scale. Our work bridges advanced manufacturing engineering with the emerging need for digital transparency and traceability across critical raw material value chains in the hydrogen sector.