TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES Co., Ltd. has commenced operations of a 500 kW pure hydrogen fuel cell power generation facility in Japan, saying the project will strengthen its hydrogen technology capabilities while supporting manufacturing decarbonisation through practical use of hydrogen energy.
According to TANAKA, the facility, named TANAKA H2 Nexus, began operating on 8 July at the TANAKA Shonan Fuel Cell Power Plant in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture.
In a news release, the company described it as one of Japan’s largest 500 kW pure hydrogen fuel cell power generation facilities and said it will serve as both a demonstration site and an operational platform for gaining practical expertise in hydrogen utilisation.
TANAKA said the project reflects its role not only as a supplier of hydrogen-related materials but also as a user of hydrogen energy, with operational knowledge expected to support future technology development and business initiatives.
The company said it has been researching and developing fuel cell and hydrogen-related technologies since the 1980s, building a portfolio that includes precious metal catalysts for fuel cells, water electrolysis catalysts, gas reforming catalysts, precious metal-plated electrodes and hydrogen permeable membranes.
According to TANAKA, growing global efforts to reduce carbon emissions have increased interest in hydrogen as a means of lowering CO2 emissions while maintaining a stable energy supply, particularly in the manufacturing sector.
The company estimates the facility can supply about 34 per cent of the electricity consumed by its nearby Shonan Plant when operating at full capacity, supporting its long-term objective of reducing emissions while improving energy resilience.
At a ceremony marking the start of operations, Group CEO Koichiro Tanaka said the project represents a new phase for the company.
“The commencement of operations of this facility marks a new step forward—not only in developing and providing technologies that support the hydrogen society, but also in demonstrating their value through real-world application and sharing that value with society,” Tanaka said.
He added that the company would “continue contributing to the realization of a sustainable society through our precious metal technologies and hydrogen energy” while pursuing future innovation.
Tomoyuki Tada, chief operating officer of TANAKA PRECIOUS METAL TECHNOLOGIES, said operating the facility would provide valuable practical experience beyond the company’s existing role as a materials developer.
“With the commencement of operations of this facility, we are now beginning to operate as a user of hydrogen energy ourselves,” Tada said. “This will enable us to identify operational challenges under real-world operating conditions and share our findings.”
He said TANAKA plans to strengthen collaboration with partner companies and other stakeholders across the hydrogen industry to help address those challenges and support the broader adoption of hydrogen technologies.
Representatives from the cities of Hiratsuka and Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, Toshiba Corporation, which supplied the fuel cell power generation system, FC-Cubic and organisations involved in construction and hydrogen procurement attended the launch ceremony, according to TANAKA.
The company said it will continue applying expertise developed over decades of hydrogen research and development to support the transition towards a hydrogen society and advance decarbonisation.
