From pushbelts to electrolyzer stacks: the transformation of Bosch Tilburg
01-07-2025
Long before the ongoing electrification in the automotive industry, Bosch Tilburg was already exploring its future beyond car transmission systems. To explore new potential markets and reposition itself as a viable partner and supplier, the company engaged various external experts, with TNO playing a key advisory role. Amongst others, the company has now positioned itself as a prime partner in electrolyzer production, leveraging the knowledge and network of the VoltaChem innovation program initiated by TNO. It is a great example of how TNO helps transform companies and develop their business in electrochemistry.
In the past few years, Bosch Tilburg has become a valued member of the VoltaChem business community and a partner in the shared research program SuperCell that has just been completed. That might come a somewhat of a surprise to those who know the company from its heritage in car manufacturing. Originating from the legendary ‘Van Doorne Transmissie’ company, Bosch Transmission Technology B.V. is renowned for the development and production of metal pushbelts that are a central component of continuously variable transmission systems.
With a declining market in sight, Bosch Tilburg decided to explore new innovations based on their expertise in engineering and mass production of the pushbelt. Within a decade, the company expanded its product portfolio with products such as lamella stacks for electric motors and gas foil bearings. It also became the R&D center for electrolyzer development within Bosch. The company recently changed its tradename to Bosch Thin Metal Technologies to better suit the new identity arising from the new high-tech products.
Leveraging the strong position of TNO in electrolyzer technology
In developing the new portfolio, the engineers of Bosch Tilburg looked for the sweet spot to create their innovations: high quality thin metal products for sustainable technologies. Hydrogen production immediately became an interesting field of interest, in particular electrolyzer stacks. “We have specific knowledge and skills to develop and produce advanced solutions at the limit of what is feasible”, says Thilo Mueller, leading the transformation as the Senior Vice President of Bosch Tilburg. “We are now using these competences to tackle the urgent issues of our time, supplying high-tech metal components for applications in electromobility and hydrogen technology.”
The in-depth knowledge of electrochemical processes was something Bosch had to develop, says Mueller: “We were aware of the strong position of TNO in electrolyzer technology and decided to leverage their knowledge and network to speed up development.” After the initial contact in 2020, the cooperation started in 2021 with several projects in the testing of components and materials at the Faraday Lab in Petten. At the same time, TNO experts assisted Bosch Tilburg in acquiring the necessary electrochemistry expertise as well as developing the electrolyzer stacks. This ranged from process modeling to testing deterioration, estimating life span and determining optimal operating parameters. “Thanks to TNO, we were able to quickly develop and test a first version of our product,” Mueller says.
Bosch now develops, manufactures and assembles its electrolyzers in a cooperation between different locations and plants, with Bosch Tilburg playing a key role in the pre-development of the stacks. “In our process to create bipolar plates for fuel cell and electrolyzer stacks we developed so much system knowledge that we became indispensable for Bosch to develop electrolyzer stack technology,” says Mueller.
A broad international network
The collaboration with VoltaChem not only provided Bosch with in-depth knowledge about electrolyzers. It also connected the company to a broad network of Dutch and international partners to address common challenges. For instance in the SuperCell shared research program, Bosch worked together with Johnson Matthey, Schaeffler and Bekaert on the development of test protocols for electrolyzers. “It is much stronger to tackle these kinds of challenges together,” Mueller emphasizes. “It helps develop standards that move the technology forward.”
Mueller strongly believes in the power of partnerships. “With major developments such as these, no single company can take all the risk alone, not even a successful and big company like Bosch. Through VoltaChem, its experts and its community, we now have a much better understanding of the risks and opportunities, both technological and economic.” Mueller values the role of TNO as an independent party that helps accelerate development across the value chain. “Also in terms of intellectual property, we are always able to figure it out. We discuss who will make what contribution, and who will benefit in what way from the collaboration. We always find a solution in an open, supportive atmosphere.”
In Mueller’s view, the collaboration between Bosch Tilburg and TNO demonstrates that such close cooperation boosts innovation. “You can’t do without it. It is incredibly important to work together in bringing new technologies and products successfully and quickly to the market.”
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