ReCatalyst: Slovenian Startup of the Year 2024 Revolutionizing Hydrogen Fuel Cells

ReCatalyst, a spin-off company from the National Institute of Chemistry, has been awarded the prestigious title of Slovenian Startup of the Year 2024 by the Slovenian Entrepreneurs’ Club. The company develops and manufactures next-generation catalysts for hydrogen fuel cells, a technology with great potential for decarbonizing the transport sector.

Their key product, a fine black powder, incorporates advanced nanotechnology that enables more efficient use of rare and expensive metals, primarily platinum. Using a patented process, part of the platinum is replaced with more accessible metals, while achieving an even distribution of platinum alloy nanoparticles — maintaining high fuel cell performance while reducing platinum consumption by more than 40%. This represents a significant technological breakthrough for increasing accessibility and sustainable use of hydrogen technologies.

ReCatalyst impressed the jury with a combination of scientific excellence, clear market potential, and successful entry into international markets. The evaluation committee also highlighted their ability to attract both domestic and foreign investments, as well as their strong and dedicated team.

ReCatalyst’s story is also a testament to the importance of knowledge transfer from research to the business environment. The company is one of the successful spin-outs from the National Institute of Chemistry, which systematically encourages researchers to develop market-relevant innovations. With this breakthrough, ReCatalyst proves that knowledge from Slovenian laboratories can become part of global solutions to climate and energy challenges.