SunFire takes over fuel cell producer Staxera

The technology developer SunFire is taking over staxera, a developer and manufacturer of SOFC high-temperature fuel cells sited in Dresden, from Webasto, one of the world’s leading suppliers to the automotive industry. The acquisition will enable SunFire – the developer of a process to generate renewable fuels from CO2 and H2O – to extend its expertise along the value chain by adding the technical core component for the electrolysis process.

“We are looking forward to forming a powerful team together with staxera. Due to its many years of experience in the field of fuel cell technology, staxera is in an excellent position to develop efficient electrolysers. For us, this acquisition is a significant milestone since the foundation of SunFire,” says Carl Berninghausen, CEO of SunFire.

The process developed by SunFire begins with the decomposition of water into hydrogen and oxygen by using electrolysis, driven by renewable electrical energy (derived from sunlight, wind or water). A subsequent step is the reaction of hydrogen and the greenhouse gas CO2 to form renewable, synthetic petrol, diesel and kerosene. An important precondition for the economic viability of the process is a high efficiency of the electrolysis.

staxera develops, manufactures and sells SOFC high-temperature fuel cells. A wide range of liquid and gaseous fuels can be used to generate electricity and heat in high-temperature fuel cells. Fuel cells are suitable for both mobile applications and for decentralised, stationary applications such as residential microCHP units using natural gas, biogas or wind gas. The acquisition means that SOEC high-temperature electrolysis will be added to staxera’s product portfolio. The combination of both business sectors means that synergies can be utilised and future production costs will be reduced, thus also strengthening the existing SOFC business.

While, in a fuel cell hydrogen containing fuel gas reacts with oxygen from the air by generating electricity, electrolysis is used to break down water into hydrogen and oxygen by adding electrical energy. Electrolysis reverses the principle of the fuel cell, while the components of electrolysis and fuel cell stacks are very similar. Thus staxera is in a good position to develop highly efficient electrolysers and fuel cells.

Webasto will remain a silent partner in staxera, thus keeping a hand on the technology of the future, while focusing on growth in its main sectors, i.e. roof and thermal systems.

The sites of SunFire in Bremen and staxera in Dresden will remain in place. Carl Berninghausen will become chairman of the management board.

About staxera:

staxera GmbH was established in Dresden in 2005 to develop and manufacture SOFC fuel cell stacks. The company has successfully positioned itself as an independent stack supplier on the international market. With 25 employees staxera supplies among others Vaillant GmbH with integrated stack modules for wall-mounted fuel cell heaters. This device will be used in the field test programme CALLUX 2011.