Ionomr Innovations

Canada-based Ionomr Innovations develops and manufactures ion-exchange membranes and polymers for clean energy applications, including hydrogen electrolyzers and fuel cells. The company’s product portfolio consists of “Pemion” and “Aemion.” Pemion is its proton exchange membrane (PEM) product, which can be used in PEM electrolysis and PEM fuel cells. Aemion, its anion exchange membrane (AEM) product, can be used in AEM electrolysis and AEM fuel cells. The company claims that Aemion is stable in both highly basic and highly acidic scenarios, which in turn allows production and use of hydrogen without the need for precious metals, unlike traditional PEMs. The company has its research and development and manufacturing facilities are located in Vancouver, Canada.

Key customers and partnerships

In June 2023, Ionomr and Cipher Neutron, a provider of AEM electrolyzers and reversible fuel cells, entered into an agreement to develop North America’s first 250 KW AEM hydrogen electrolyzer. The electrolyzer will commercially produce affordable, high-volume hydrogen gas for governments and industries seeking to reduce pollution and emissions. Previously, in April 2023, the company entered into a collaboration with Sunfire, a provider of industrial electrolyzers based on pressurized alkaline and SOEC technologies, to develop an AEM electrolyzer in the upper double-digit kW range for industrial scale-up using Ionomr’s Aemion anion exchange membranes.

Funding and financials

Ionomr's latest funding was in December 2023, when the company raised USD 20 million in a Series A-4 funding round led by NGIF Cleantech Ventures and Pallasite Ventures. Ionomr intended to use the funds to enhance and expand the manufacturing of its core products, Aemion and Pemion. Prior to this, in January 2022, Ionomr raised USD 15 million in a Series A funding round. The proceeds were used to scale up the production of its ion-exchange membranes and polymers, as well as the company’s planned R&D facility in the US.

In September 2023, the company graduated from the Shell GameChanger Accelerator Powered by NREL (GCxN), an accelerator program that provides select cleantech startups with access to funding, facilities, and technical experts.