Hydrogen Engineering & Technology

With deep expertise in rotary forming, Matthews Engineering delivers fully integrated, high-performance embossing production lines. Manufacturers benefit from our advanced tooling capabilities and close collaboration with experienced process and equipment engineers.

Membranes are the functional heart of hydrogen fuel cells and electrolyzers — and demand uncompromising accuracy in every layer.

We deliver specialized coating systems engineered for the precise handling of ultra-thin membrane materials. Our solutions ensure uniform layer deposition – accelerating efficiency from pilot to gigawatt-scale manufacturing.

As the core of every fuel cell and electrolyzer, catalyst membranes demand exact handling. Leveraging decades of experience in processing web-based materials, we design and build coating and calendering systems that ensure clean, consistent, and reliable processing of sensitive membrane structures.

We deliver specialized solutions for coating GDE layers with exacting precision. Our lines ensure uniform distribution of catalyst inks and microporous layers, supporting maximum electrochemical efficiency and long-term durability — from R&D through to high-volume production.

Our roll-to-roll production solutions for coating, laminating, and precision cutting make Matthews Engineering a trusted partner for processing gas diffusion layers. Whether applying adhesives or cutting to spec — our systems deliver accuracy, speed, and repeatability.

Automation is key to scaling fuel cell manufacturing. From pilot to serial production, we help you industrialize your stack assembly with automated systems that ensure throughput, quality, and consistency.

The Desk Coater brings proven Matthews Engineering technology to lab scale, designed for material widths of approx. 150 mm and speeds from 0.05 to 2.0 m/min. It supports coating of membranes, CCM, GDL, GDE and more, using substrates like paper, PE, PET and PTFE. Both water- and solvent-based coatings can be applied with flexible methods such as slot die, comma bar or knife-over-roll. Integrated drying options and a compact system with unwinder, coating units, laminating station, rewinder and Siemens control ensure precise, efficient lab-scale coating and testing.

• Roller Face Width:180 mm
• Working Width: 150 mm
• Production speed: 0.05 – 2.0 m/min
• Coating Substrates: Paper, PE, PET, PTFE and other non elastic materials
• Coatings: Water Based and Solvent Based Coatings (ATEX)
• Coating Applications: Various Systems can be Implemented
• Drying: Single or Multiple Zones
• Single-Station Winders (3“ Cores, max. Dia. 250 mm)
• Laminating Station
• Siemens Drive and Control System Onboard
• HMI Integrated: Siemens

Matthews Engineering’s Compact Coater bridges the gap between lab-scale systems and full production lines, enabling pre-validation and faster time-to-market. Designed for cleanroom use, it offers flexible, modular configuration with unwinders and winders up to 60 kg, 500 mm roll diameter and automatic edge guiding. Several coating options include slot die and comma bar systems, supported by advanced drying with heating plates and air nozzles. With speeds from 0.1 to 10 m/min and 500 mm working width, it ensures high quality and continuous operation. Additional modules such as lamination and slitting make it ideal for industrial performance and scalable production.

• Production Speed: 0.1 – 10 m/min
• Working Width: 500 mm
• Various Coating Methods, such as Slot Die Coating, Comma Bar Coating, Roller Coating or Knife-Over-Roll Coating
• Coatings: Water Based and Solvent Based Coatings (ATEX)
• Cantilever Design
• High Demand for Quality Control
• Clean Room Application Possible
• Turnkey Supply

Discover an advanced solution for manufacturing fuel cell and electrolyzer CCM with Matthews Engineering’s roll-to-roll coating lines. Decal foil is automatically unwound and precisely guided for uniform coating using slot die or comma bar systems. A controlled drying process removes solvents efficiently, ensuring consistent, high-quality electrode layers in a clean environment. Optional lamination and rewinding provide added flexibility. With production speeds of 0.1 to 20 m/min and working widths above 500 mm, the system is designed for cleanroom use, high quality standards and turnkey delivery—ideal for reliable, scalable CCM production.

Experience advanced coating technology with Matthews Engineering’s GDL Coating Lines, designed for precise tension control and consistent high-quality results. Non-woven or carbon paper materials are smoothly unwound and guided through a two-stage process, including impregnation via foulard (dip coating) and uniform PTFE application. Subsequent drying and sintering at temperatures up to 450°C ensure optimal material performance. Final inspection and precise rewinding complete the process. With speeds from 0.5 to 20 m/min and a working width of 1,300 mm, the system delivers efficient, reliable and turnkey solutions for industrial GDL production.

Matthews Engineering’s Membrane Coating Lines deliver precise and reliable coating performance with advanced tension control systems. The substrate is smoothly unwound and guided to the coating station, where polymer coatings are applied using slot die or comma bar methods for uniform results. A controlled drying process with air and heating plates ensures gentle and consistent curing. After inspection, optional lamination and precise rewinding complete the process. With production speeds of 0.5 to 5 m/min and a working width of 1,100 mm, the system offers efficient, high-quality, turnkey solutions for membrane production.

Matthews Engineering’s Production Coating Lines for GDE provide an advanced roll-to-roll solution for efficiently coating catalyst ink onto GDL substrates. The material is automatically unwound and precisely guided to ensure uniform application using slot die or comma bar systems. A controlled drying process removes solvents effectively, ensuring consistent and high-quality electrode layers in a clean environment. Optional lamination and rewinding enhance flexibility and product protection. With production speeds from 0.5 to >10 m/min and a working width of 1,100 mm, the system delivers precise, reliable and turnkey solutions for scalable GDE production.