ORLEN Venture Capital (ORLEN VC), the corporate venture arm of ORLEN Group, has recently invested in Hystar AS, a Norwegian company known for its high-efficiency proton-exchange-membrane (PEM) electrolysers. This strategic investment is part of ORLEN's push to enhance zero-emission hydrogen production. Hystar's innovative platform, featuring membranes that are up to 90% thinner than traditional PEM systems, allows for increased energy efficiency and cost reductions in hydrogen production. The company has already begun commercial deliveries in 2022, offering membrane stacks and turnkey electrolysers certified to ISO 17268 standards. ORLEN's hydrogen strategy, outlined in its ORLEN 2035 Strategy, aims to produce 350,000 tons of renewable and low-emission hydrogen annually by 2035. The investment in Hystar is seen as crucial for supporting ORLEN's broader hydrogen portfolio and decarbonization goals. It not only provides access to advanced electrolysers but also opens avenues for collaboration on technology development and implementation. Hystar's modular design allows for customized installations tailored to industrial applications, with plans to establish an automated production line in 2027 and scale production capacity to 4.5 GW by 2031. The company's receipt of a EUR 26 million grant from the European Innovation Fund in 2024, alongside additional funding including ORLEN VC's commitment, reinforces its expansion efforts and operational capabilities through 2027. By becoming the thirteenth direct portfolio company of ORLEN VC, Hystar joins the fund's growing list of investments. ORLEN VC, positioning itself as a prominent venture capital investor in Central Europe, focuses on market-ready innovations that align with the clean energy, decarbonization, and industrial transformation priorities of ORLEN Group. The fund's strategic investments aim to drive sustainable growth and innovation in the energy sector.