Panasonic Electric Works Opens New Fuel Cell Development Base to Integrate Research Through Commercialization

Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd. (“Panasonic”) has opened a new fuel cell development base to accelerate its contribution to society through fuel cells and strengthen co-creation among industry, government, and academia. The new site will handle the full process from basic fuel cell research to commercialization. By consolidating development functions and strengthening facilities, it will serve as a core base for further enhancing Panasonic’s fuel cell development capabilities and competitiveness. Going forward, Panasonic will use this site as a starting point to address society’s energy challenges and contribute to the development of a sustainable society through co-creation with related organizations. Background: Acceleration of GX and DX, and rising energy uncertainty As GX (green transformation) and DX (digital transformation) accelerate globally, rising geopolitical and disaster risks are increasing expectations for distributed power sources that combine stable energy supply, rapid deployment, and resilience. In response to these social challenges, Panasonic has long promoted the development of distributed energy solutions, including fuel cells. Products under development: Expanding the value of fuel cells from homes to business and industrial applications Panasonic’s fuel cells support society across a wide range of fields as cogeneration systems that can supply both electricity and heat during normal times and emergencies. Fuel cells developed and provided by Panasonic include: ・Residential fuel cell “ENE-FARM” (*) Efficiently produces electricity and hot water used in daily life at home, while also securing electricity and hot water during emergencies such as power outages. ・Pure hydrogen fuel cell: for business and industrial use Provides electricity and heat supply that supports both decarbonization and BCP (business continuity). By expanding the technology and quality cultivated in residential applications to business and industrial uses, Panasonic aims to build an energy foundation that supports everything from homes to social infrastructure. About the new fuel cell development base Significance of the opening Under Panasonic GREEN IMPACT, Panasonic aims to realize “a society where systems that connect and utilize energy and information reach every corner of daily life, and where co-creation that keeps people and the planet healthy flourishes.” The company has positioned energy solutions centered on “Well & Energy Management” as a priority business and will further strengthen development aimed at solving energy issues. Integrating materials, commercialization, and market validation The development base brings the following three functions together in one building: 1. Materials research: Responsible for developing materials and processes for key components that determine fuel cell performance. 2. Product development: Verifies fuel processors and systems under actual equipment conditions, linking results to real-world operation and commercialization decisions. 3. Market validation: Supports reliability assurance for products and key components, as well as decisions on market launch. This will improve consistency across research, development, and validation, enabling high-quality product development. A starting point for collaboration with government, academia, and partners Through collaboration with industry, government, and academia, as well as co-creation with business partners, the site will continue advancing key technologies such as low cost, high efficiency, high output, and high durability. Panasonic will strengthen product reliability and the value it provides to customers. Opening ceremony The opening ceremony held in late April welcomed many guests from industry, government, and academia. During a keynote speech by Kyoto University Distinguished Professor Susumu Kitagawa, recipient of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, he shared expectations and words of encouragement for the new base. Overview of the fuel cell development base The Takatsuki site where the fuel cell development base is located is the place where Panasonic founder Konosuke Matsushita established Matsushita Electronics Corporation, a joint venture with the Netherlands’ Philips, in order to lead Japan’s postwar “age of electrification” and introduce advanced overseas technologies. Panasonic Lighting Devices Co., Ltd., which follows the lineage of Matsushita Electronics Corporation, continues to operate a base there today. On this historically significant Takatsuki site, Panasonic’s fuel cell business relocated its product development and sales divisions in October 2022. The company has now also consolidated its basic research and development divisions there and established the site as a new development base. Location: 1-1 Saiwai-cho, Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture Opening: April 2026 Personnel at the fuel cell base: 165 people as of April 2026 * “ENE-FARM” is a registered trademark of Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd., Osaka Gas Co., Ltd., and ENEOS Corporation. Contact: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd. Electrical Construction Materials & Living Energy Business Division, Environmental Energy BU, Fuel Cell & Hydrogen SBU Phone: 06-6908-1131 (main number)