Gas Diffusion Layer Market Trends

Growth Drivers

• Increasing sales of electric vehicles - The gas diffusion layer landscape is significantly being driven by the rising demand for fuel-cell electric automobiles, which may become a fundamental component of CO2-free transportation.
  
  For instance, 2023 saw about a 24% YoY increase in global BEV sales.
• Recent developments in gas diffusion layer technology - The first 3D-printable fluoropolymer gas diffusion layer has been produced by researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the University of Toronto, which is said to provide ways to enhance gas diffusion electrode (GDE) for CO2 reduction reactions and offer enhanced CO2 electrochemical reduction performance.

Challenges

• Exorbitant cost associated with gas diffusion layer - Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers, a synthetic resin made by polymerizing acrylonitrile, are the main ingredient used in the production of the gas diffusion layer leading to higher cost of production.
  
  Although PAN-based carbon fibers are renowned for their exceptional performance and strength, producing the precursor material is costly as it involves energy-intensive processes, including the carbonization process, and the total cost is also increased by the requirement for specialized machinery and regulated surroundings during the production process.
  
  Moreover, high-quality PAN is one of the precursor materials used in the production of carbon fiber, helping to guarantee that the final product satisfies the exacting standards, which contribute considerably to the total cost of the material.
  
  Supply chain disruptions - Natural catastrophes, geopolitical unrest, or other events may cause supply chain disruptions that affect production and the availability and cost of gas diffusion layer solutions, such as shortages of essential materials or components.