COORSTEK MEMBRANE SCIENCES AS

Their core work

CoorsTek Membrane Sciences (formerly Protia) develops advanced ceramic membrane technologies for electrochemical energy conversion, particularly proton ceramic electrolysers and reactors. Their core work centers on designing and manufacturing ceramic electrolytes and ionic conductors used in high-temperature hydrogen production and CO2 conversion systems. They bring materials science expertise to European consortia tackling green hydrogen generation and carbon capture utilization, contributing specialized membrane and electrode components that are central to next-generation electrochemical devices.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

CoorsTek Membrane Sciences entered H2020 with a tight focus on high-temperature steam electrolysis for hydrogen production using proton ceramic technology (GAMER, 2018). By 2019-2021, their scope broadened significantly — moving into CO2 conversion, catalysis, process intensification, and even aviation fuel production via co-ionic membrane reactors (eCOCO2), plus advanced electrode modelling and novel cell architectures (WINNER). The trajectory shows a company expanding from a single electrolyser application toward becoming a broader electrochemical membrane technology provider across multiple clean energy pathways.

Moving from pure hydrogen electrolysis toward multi-purpose electrochemical membrane platforms, including CO2 utilization and synthetic fuel production — positioning themselves for the growing Power-to-X market.

How they like to work

CoorsTek Membrane Sciences operates exclusively as a consortium participant, never as coordinator, which is consistent with their role as a specialized materials and component supplier rather than a project driver. Across 3 projects they have worked with 18 unique partners in 12 countries, indicating they are well-connected and comfortable in large, diverse European consortia. Their consistent participation in RIA (Research and Innovation Action) projects suggests they contribute deep technical expertise while relying on academic or institutional partners to lead project management.

A well-networked specialist with 18 consortium partners across 12 countries from just 3 projects, indicating broad European reach and integration into major electrochemistry research networks. Their partnerships likely span universities, research institutes, and industrial players across the clean energy value chain.

What sets them apart

CoorsTek Membrane Sciences is one of very few commercial-scale manufacturers of proton ceramic membranes in Europe, making them a rare industrial partner for projects that need to move beyond lab-scale ceramic electrolyte research. Their parent company (CoorsTek Inc.) brings global ceramics manufacturing capability, giving consortia confidence that results can actually be scaled up. For any consortium working on proton ceramic electrolysers, co-ionic membrane reactors, or high-temperature electrochemical conversion, they are a natural and hard-to-replace partner.

Highlights from their portfolio

• GAMER
  Largest funding share (EUR 693K) and their foundational H2020 project, focused on game-changing tubular cell geometry for steam electrolysers.
• eCOCO2
  Represents their strategic expansion into CO2 conversion and synthetic aviation fuel — a significant pivot from pure hydrogen work.
• WINNER
  Most recent project, introducing multi-scale modelling and novel cell architectures, signaling a move toward deeper design and simulation capabilities.