New Delhi: Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has signed a Technology Transfer Agreement (TTA) with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to acquire a key membrane technology for use in hydrogen production systems.
Technology Targets Import Dependence in Electrolysers
The agreement focuses on the Mixed-Matrix Membrane Diaphragm developed by BARC. This technology offers a domestic alternative to the imported Zirfon membranes and legacy asbestos-based diaphragms, currently used in alkaline water electrolysers. With this move, BHEL aims to integrate the technology into its existing systems to advance its in-house development of electrolyser units.
BARC’s membrane, a result of extensive materials research, is designed to function as a separator in electrochemical cells. Its application in hydrogen electrolysis could reduce dependence on critical imports and support long-term efforts toward localisation in the clean energy sector.
Part of Broader Hydrogen Push
This development aligns with India’s broader strategy under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to establish the country as a global hub for green hydrogen production and export. Electrolyser systems are critical to hydrogen generation, and cost-effective, locally manufactured components could play a role in bringing down system costs over time.
Officials familiar with the matter said the transfer is specifically geared towards supporting future manufacturing of alkaline electrolysers with all key components sourced domestically. BHEL is expected to begin pilot integration and testing over the next phases, though timelines for commercial-scale application were not disclosed.
The TTA, signed in Mumbai, marks another example of cross-institutional collaboration between government research bodies and public sector manufacturing firms, aiming to bridge the gap between lab-scale research and industrial deployment.
