Kronberg - Celanese AG (FSE: CZZ; NYSE: CZ) today inaugurated the world's first pilot plant for high temperature membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for fuel cells at a ceremony attended by Hessian Minister President Roland Koch. The pilot plant will enable Celanese to further develop its fuel cell technology, optimize the production process and provide the fast growing market with MEAs.

The heart of the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell is the MEA, where hydrogen and oxygen react to generate electricity and heat. The PEM fuel cell can be used in nearly all applications, from microapplications in mobile telephones, stationary applications in homes and small power plants to mobile applications in cars and buses. Celanese has developed a high temperature MEA that has a large number of advantages over low temperature systems. Operatinge at temperatures of up to 200°C, the fuel cell is more resistant to carbon monoxide impurities in the hydrogen, and water and heat management is simpler and more cost-effective.

The MEA consists of a membrane, catalysts and gas diffusion layers. The Celanese membrane Celtec is made of the temperature resistant polymer polybenzimidazole (PBI), produced solely by Celanese.

"By using our high temperature MEA, fuel cells become considerably more cost effective and reliable," said Professor Ernst Schadow, member of the board of management and Chief Technology Officer of Celanese AG: "We are convinced that Celanese will become an important partner for the growing fuel cell market."

Celanese Ventures, Celanese's research company, operates the pilot plant in the Frankfurt-Höchst industrial park. "Celanese's leadership in key components for fuel cells is a particularly impressive example of a promising new technology in Hesse," said Minister President Roland Koch, welcoming Celanese's investment in Frankfurt.

Claudio Sonder, Chief Executive Officer of Celanese AG, sees the fuel cell technology as an important growth opportunity for Celanese: "Apart from strengthening our value chain and partnerships, we are focusing on new products and technologies in order to grow. One particularly fascinating market for us is the fuel cell. By operating the pilot plant, we are developing and producing for the future!"

Expectations placed on the fuel cell run high: to reduce pollution, protect the climate and decrease the dependence on fossil fuels. Many experts expect the new technology to lead to significant changes in business, energy and transportation.