Ballard Power Systems has announced signing of an agreement with Anglo American Platinum Limited under which Anglo American Platinum will invest $4 million in Ballard through its PGM Development Fund, to support continued commercial advancement of the Company’s fuel cell products in target market applications.

Anglo American Platinum’s interest in the growth of fuel cell market adoption extends beyond the implications for platinum utilization, to the potential transformational impact fuel cells could have on the economy in South Africa.

An example of this latter impact is the joint work currently underway between Ballard and Anglo American Platinum on development of a prototype Home Generator.

This product is intended to address the need of many households in remote rural communities for economical electric power. The Home Generator will be built with Ballard fuel cells and run on readily available methanol fuel, utilizing an integrated fuel reformer.

Work on the fuel reformer will also benefit Ballard’s ElectraGenTM methanol-fuelled systems, which provide power solutions to the telecommunications industry.

Godfrey Oliphant, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources said, “We are very pleased to see Anglo American Platinum’s investment in Ballard and their commitment to beneficiation of platinum in South Africa. Fuel cell-based product deployments will be a positive catalyst for growth in global platinum demand.”

“South Africa is the leading producer of platinum and innovations such as the Home Generator project move our country in a positive direction towards participating actively in the application of Platinum Group Metals in new technologies which will create important jobs for our economy,” he added.

“This strategic investment from Anglo American Platinum is a tremendous demonstration of Anglo’s commitment to fuel cells”, said John Sheridan, President and CEO of Ballard Power Systems. “Furthermore, the Home Generator power system that we are jointly developing has the potential for profound impacts in South Africa and elsewhere.”

Andrew Hinkly, Executive Head - Commercial for Anglo American Platinum added, “The agreement we have announced is a testament to our confidence in Ballard’s commercial and technical abilities as a fuel cell leader as well as our partnership toward completion of the very important Home Generator work. This program will enable our beneficiation strategy in Africa to create jobs in a key growth sector for the economy.”

Once Ballard has completed development of a prototype Home Generator system meeting commercial product requirements, the companies will undertake further field trials, potentially leading to the manufacture, distribution and support of a commercial product for the African market.