Bosch Tilburg and the Energy Transition

Bosch Thin Metal Technologies, part of Bosch Transmission Technology B.V. in Tilburg, specializes in the development and industrialization of high-tech thin metal components for sustainable energy and mobility applications. The site has a long industrial history. The company was founded in 1972 as Van Doorne Transmissie and has been part of the Bosch Group since 1995.

While Bosch Tilburg was long known for the mass production of push belts, the site today plays an important role within Bosch in the field of hydrogen and electrolyzer technology. The combination of in-depth knowledge of thin metals, high-precision manufacturing, and system integration provides a strong foundation for the development of energy stacks for the next generation of sustainable energy systems.

Electrolyzer Development and Bipolar Plates

At Bosch in Tilburg, metallic bipolar plates are developed for use in fuel cells and electrolyzers. These plates form a key component of the stack and perform multiple functions. In fuel cells, they are responsible for, among other things, the distribution of hydrogen and air, separation of individual cells, current collection, water management, and cooling. In electrolyzers, they facilitate the supply of water to the anode, the removal of hydrogen at the cathode, and electrical conduction between the cells.

The technical requirements for these components are high. They must combine excellent electrical conductivity with gas tightness and long-term resistance to aggressive and often acidic environments. Thanks to its accumulated expertise, the Tilburg site has been designated as the central Research and Development centre for electrolyzers within Bosch. From this role, Bosch Tilburg contributes to future energy stack developments within the Bosch Group.

From Innovation to Industrialization

Bosch is committed to accelerating the development of hydrogen production in Europe with technologies that are scalable and industrially applicable. To make green hydrogen economically attractive, a significant reduction in cost is required. This calls for lowering the material costs of electrolyzer stacks and further improving conversion efficiency, without compromising reliability and lifetime.

As a centre for electrolyzer pre-development, Bosch Tilburg plays an important role in this process. The focus lies on manufacturability, scaling, and industrialization, with the aim of not only developing technologies but also bringing them toward large-scale production.

Power-to-X Campus Tilburg

Bosch Tilburg has the ambition to grow into a connecting hub for a Power-to-X Campus. This campus is intended as an open innovation hub where partners from across the entire ecosystem come together, including research institutes, startups, industrial partners, and providers of technology and energy solutions.

By bringing research, development, and industry closer together, both physically and in terms of content, Bosch aims to accelerate the scaling and industrialization of sustainable Power-to-X technologies. The site’s strong technical expertise, thin-metal competencies, and system knowledge provide a solid foundation for this ambition. The campus focuses explicitly on applications that pave the way toward pilot production and, where possible, mass production of components such as stacks and heat exchangers.

Green Chemicals from Water and CO₂

Power-to-X technologies make it possible to convert water and CO₂ into green chemicals using renewable electricity. Through electrolysis, water is split into hydrogen and oxygen using green power. The hydrogen can then be used as a feedstock for further chemical processes, with CO₂ serving as the carbon source. This creates a pathway in which carbon is reused rather than extracted from fossil sources.

This approach enables the production of various chemical building blocks and synthetic products that are currently still largely dependent on fossil raw materials. The technology aligns with existing industrial processes while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the use of primary resources. As such, Power-to-X solutions offer a practical perspective for the decarbonization of the chemical industry and contribute to an energy system in which electricity, hydrogen, and chemistry are increasingly interconnected.

Connection with NXTGEN Hightech Energy

Participation in NXTGEN Hightech Energy aligns well with the ambitions of Bosch Tilburg. The program places Bosch at the heart of the development of promising electrolyzer and MEA concepts, including solutions with significantly reduced use of critical materials. At the same time, it provides access to essential knowledge needed to underpin sound technological choices.

For Bosch, this is a valuable way to gain deeper insight into the interconnections within the Dutch high-tech ecosystem and into where strategic collaborations can contribute to concrete solutions. By bringing in its industrial perspective, Bosch helps accelerate the transition from research to industrial application.

Building Industrialization Together

Bosch sees electrolyzer technology as a key technology for the energy transition, while also recognizing that large-scale deployment will take place in phases. It is precisely in the early, smaller-scale applications that opportunities arise to build experience, deepen insights, and improve technology in a targeted manner.

With the Power-to-X Campus in Tilburg and its active involvement in NXTGEN Hightech, Bosch aims to contribute to a strong and coherent ecosystem that brings sustainable energy technologies more rapidly from research to industrial realization. In doing so, the site makes a concrete contribution to a future-proof and climate-neutral industry.