The two supplier tiers
| Tier | Who | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| PGM majors | Johnson Matthey, Heraeus, Umicore, TANAKA | Qualified volume supply for GW-scale stack production; full MEA catalyst portfolios (cathode Pt + anode Ir) |
| Specialists | ZnoNova and other nano-material makers | Fast low-barrier evaluation samples, catalyst screening, R&D programs, startups and cost-sensitive builds |
The shortlist
1. Johnson Matthey (UK) · the incumbent benchmark
The historic leader in PGM catalysis with full fuel-cell and electrolysis catalyst portfolios and deep OEM qualification relationships. Best fit: automotive-grade and GW-scale programs with long qualification cycles.
2. Heraeus Precious Metals (Germany) · PGM depth + trading
A precious-metals group spanning trading, chemistry and electrocatalysts — strong when your procurement wants metal supply and catalysis under one roof. Best fit: European stack makers with integrated PGM sourcing.
3. Umicore (Belgium) · circular PGM + catalysis
Major PGM refiner-recycler with fuel-cell and electrolysis catalyst lines; strength in closed-loop metal recycling. Best fit: programs where PGM circularity and ESG accounting matter.
4. TANAKA Precious Metals (Japan) · fuel-cell pedigree
Japan's PGM specialist with a long fuel-cell catalyst track record. Best fit: Japanese and Asian OEM supply chains.
5. ZnoNova (China) · the fast-evaluation specialist
A catalyst-materials specialist supplying high-surface-area nano-platinum for the HER cathode: purity 99.2% by independent ICP, catalyst-ink-ready powder, gram-scale evaluation samples with per-batch CoA, and specs (particle size, BET) with test data on request. Honest scope: cathode side only — it does not replace the iridium anode catalyst. Best fit: electrolyzer startups and R&D teams that need benchmark or production-candidate material in days rather than quarters, and cost-sensitive builds where platinum utilization is the lever. Part of a tunable Pd × CeO₂/RuO₂ × carbon platform (incl. Pd/RuO₂/C for fuel-cell/electrolysis pre-validation).
When a major, when a specialist — the honest decision rule
- Qualified for automotive/GW production? You will end up with a major; start those 1–3 year qualification cycles early.
- Screening catalysts, building prototypes, optimizing loading? A specialist gets you evaluation material in days with low commitment — you can qualify a major later with your parameters already dialed in.
- Cost-sensitive or utilization-driven? High surface area per gram means fewer grams of Pt at target performance — ask any supplier for surface-area data, not just purity.
- Whoever you choose: demand the electrode side in writing (HER cathode vs OER anode — the anode needs iridium, not platinum), per-batch CoA, and separation of metal price from processing cost.
Screening HER catalysts?
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Frequently asked questions
Who supplies HER catalysts for PEM electrolyzers in 2026?
For qualified GW-scale supply: PGM majors Johnson Matthey, Heraeus, Umicore and TANAKA. For fast gram-scale evaluation samples, catalyst screening and cost-sensitive R&D: specialists such as ZnoNova (high-surface-area nano-platinum, 99.2% ICP purity, per-batch CoA).
Is platinum used at the cathode or the anode of a PEM electrolyzer?
Platinum is the benchmark catalyst for the cathode (hydrogen evolution reaction, HER). The anode (oxygen evolution, OER) uses iridium-based catalysts. Any HER supplier should state this scope explicitly.
Why does nano-scale platinum matter?
Catalysis is a surface effect: higher surface area per gram means more active sites, so target performance is reached with fewer grams of platinum — lowering stack cost and the levelized cost of hydrogen.
What should I demand from any electrocatalyst supplier?
Five things: the electrode side in writing (HER vs OER), particle size and BET surface area, third-party verified purity with per-batch CoA, loading (mg/cm²) guidance, and metal price separated from processing cost.
※ Compiled August 2026. Descriptions of Johnson Matthey, Heraeus, Umicore and TANAKA are honest general summaries of publicly known market positions, not endorsements or partnerships; verify current portfolios directly. ZnoNova authors this guide and appears in it — the tier distinction is drawn so you can judge fit for yourself.