Sunfire

Sunfire is a German company that develops and manufactures electrolyzers for producing green hydrogen and syngas. The company was founded in 2010 by Carl Berninghausen, Nils Aldag, and Christian von Olshausen with the vision of creating a world free from fossil fuels. Sunfire focuses on two main electrolysis technologies: pressurized alkaline electrolysis (AEL) and high-temperature solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC).

The company's product portfolio serves industrial clients such as energy companies, refineries, and steel mills, helping them to decarbonize their processes. Sunfire's business model is centered on providing these industrial-scale electrolyzers, positioning itself as a key player in the growing hydrogen economy. In 2021, Sunfire acquired the Swiss company IHT SA, an expert in pressurized alkaline electrolysis with over 70 years of experience, to expand its product offerings. A year later, in 2022, the company acquired electroplating specialist MTV NT GmbH to bring a core manufacturing process in-house.

Sunfire has achieved significant milestones, including the launch of the world's first e-fuel plant in 2014 and the validation of its first industrial SOEC prototype in 2015. The company has received numerous awards, including being listed among the Global Cleantech 100 for seven consecutive years. By March 2024, Sunfire had secured over €1 billion in private and public funding, including a Series E financing round of €215 million and a term loan of up to €100 million from the European Investment Bank. Major investors include LGT Private Banking, GIC, Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, and Lightrock. As of early 2024, the company has an electrolyzer order backlog of more than 800 MW and has expanded its production capacity to the gigawatt level.

Keywords: green hydrogen, electrolysis, electrolyzer manufacturing, SOEC technology, alkaline electrolysis, decarbonization, renewable energy, syngas production, e-fuel, industrial energy, hydrogen economy, cleantech, energy transition, sustainable energy, industrial decarbonization, AEL electrolysis, solid oxide cells, hydrogen production, energy systems, power-to-x