Matteco

Matteco is a materials technology company focused on reducing the cost of green hydrogen production to accelerate the energy transition. The company was formally established in August 2023 as a spin-off from the University of Valencia, commercializing a patented technology developed over more than a decade of research. It was co-founded by Iker Marcaide, a serial entrepreneur and investor who serves as CEO, and Dr. Gonzalo Abellán, the technology's co-inventor, who acts as CTO. Dr. Abellán is a research leader at the University of Valencia's Institute of Molecular Science (ICMol), specializing in 2D materials, a field directly related to the company's core technology. Marcaide, through his impact company builder Zubi Labs, joined forces with Abellán's scientific team to translate the laboratory research into an industrial-scale venture.

The core of Matteco's business is the development and manufacturing of high-performance catalysts, catalytic coatings, and electrodes, which are critical components for electrolyzers. The company's business model is centered on supplying these advanced materials to manufacturers of alkaline and Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) electrolyzers worldwide. By acting as a key component provider, Matteco aims to become a foundational technology supplier within the hydrogen sector, enabling its clients to build more efficient and cost-effective systems. The company has already secured customers in Europe, North America, and Asia.

Matteco's key product is its line of catalysts and electrodes that are free of Platinum Group Metals (PGMs), such as platinum and iridium. This is a significant differentiator, as PGMs are rare, expensive, and represent a major cost driver in traditional electrolyzer technology. The company's materials are designed to deliver higher current densities, lower energy consumption, and superior stability compared to existing solutions. These improvements directly address the primary challenges in the green hydrogen market by reducing both the initial capital expenditure (CAPEX) for building electrolyzer stacks and the ongoing operational expenditure (OPEX) related to energy use. This technological advantage is projected to lower the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) by up to 20%.

To meet growing demand, Matteco secured a €15 million Series A funding round in October 2024 from impact-focused family offices. This capital is being used to launch a 10,000-square-meter manufacturing facility in Paterna, Valencia, capable of producing components for 1 gigawatt (GW) of electrolyzer capacity annually. The company plans to expand its team from 30 to 100 employees by 2025 to support this significant production scale-up.

Keywords: green hydrogen, catalysts, electrodes, AEM electrolysis, alkaline electrolysis, PGM-free, decarbonization, energy transition, materials technology, electrolyzer components, nanotechnology, hydrogen production, cleantech, Zubi Labs, University of Valencia spin-off, Iker Marcaide, Gonzalo Abellán, levelized cost of hydrogen, LCOH, impact investing, advanced materials