News Release- January 20, 2005 - Jobwerx News - PEMEAS Fuel Cell Technologies of Franfurt, will receive the 25th Innovation award of the German Industry on January 22. This young company has earned a special recognition for its global leadership in fuel cell technology. Former Chancellor Dr. Helmut Kohl will present the prestigious award at a ceremony in the “Alte Oper” in Frankfurt/Main.

PEMEAS is a global technology leader for fuel cell components. Its Celtec® products reduce costs for the production and operation of fuel cells. Celtec® products, developed and manufactured by PEMEAS, will enable the success of fuel cells in promising future markets. In the future, fuel cells operated with PEMEAS components will provide electronic devices such as computers with portable power, households with electricity and heat, and, in the longer term, trucks and cars with electrical energy.

Dr. Horst-Tore Land, CEO and President of PEMEAS GmbH, is proud of the honor: “We are very pleased to receive the innovation award of the German Industry. The decision highlights our leading technology position in this rapidly growing industry.”

The Celtec® technology for fuel cells
At the heart of the PEM fuel cell is a membrane coated with precious metal (Membrane Electrode Assemblies –MEAs). Within the MEA, hydrogen and air react to form water, generating electricity and heat. Celtec®-MEAs enable reliable, efficient and cost-effective systems needing considerably fewer components than conventional polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells, and operate in a broader temperature range. Due to the high operation temperature, it is no longer necessary to humidify the membrane, and it is easier to cool the system and to purify the hydrogen gas. In addition, the high operation temperature is ideal for use in households, as it enables the cost-effective generation of electricity and heat.

Globally unique technology position
Worldwide, there are many activities to improve membranes and MEAs. Despite this competitive environment, PEMEAS is the only commercial supplier of a MEA that can be operated at temperature of up to 200 °C. The membrane is comprised of the heat resistant polymer, polybenzimidazole, as well as conductive materials. PEMEAS has developed and patented this combination, the membrane itself, as well as the production process over the last ten years. Today, PEMEAS owns more than 110 patents and patent applications in this area to ensure a strong competitive advantage. PEMEAS was founded in April 2004 by the chemical company Celanese AG and a consortium of investors. The start-up company continues the fuel cell activities of the former Hoechst Group. Approximately 40 employees carry out research, production and marketing in the Industrial Park Höchst in Frankfurt/Main. Currently, PEMEAS is involved in various customer projects. The focus is to broaden the customer base in Europe, North America and Asia.

PEMEAS Fuel Cell Technologies is a global leader in membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. PEMEAS products are marketed under the brand name Celtec. PEMEAS GmbH continues the fuel cell activities of Celanese AG and the former Hoechst Group.

For its breakthrough technology, PEMEAS has been honored with the Top 100 Innovators Award 2004 of Red Herring, and the Innovation Award 2004 by Frost & Sullivan.

PEMEAS is backed by a consortium led by Conduit Ventures Limited. The consortium consists of Sustainable Asset Management, CDP Capital, P/S BankInvest New Energy Solutions and InfraServ Höchst, managing company of the Frankfurt-Höchst industrial park. For further information visit: pemeas.com

PEMEAS GmbH
Industriepark Höchst, G 864
65926 Frankfurt am Main
Germany
Contact: Dr. Carsten Henschel
Telefon: +49 (0)69/305-4292 Telefax: +49 (0)69/305-26600
Email: C.Henschel@Pemeas.com

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