HERMES Startup AWARD 2024 goes to Archigas

This year, the coveted HERMES Startup AWARD goes to Archigas, a young company based in Rüsselsheim, Germany. The decision was made by a jury chaired by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer Society, and announced at the ceremonial opening of HANNOVER MESSE in the presence of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

The award-winning product is a compact, moisture-resistant sensor for fast, precise, and reliable measurement of hydrogen content. The sensor principle is based on an advanced thermal conductivity measurement function on a microchip, and was developed in cooperation with the RheinMain University of Applied Sciences. In developing the sensor, Archigas is making a valuable contribution toward enabling the safe production, storage, and use of hydrogen.

“Hydrogen technologies are playing a central role in the transformation of industry toward sustainability, and are a core element of the energy system of the future. So as to fully exploit their potential, it is absolutely crucial to promptly turn innovative ideas into actual applications. Start-ups such as Archigas are playing a key role to this end,” says Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer Society and Chair of the HERMES Startup AWARD jury. “The groundbreaking technology developed by Archigas stands out for its ultra-compact dimensions, robust design, rapid measuring capability, and the wide range of potential applications for which it can be used. Archigas perfectly exemplifies the innovation-driven companies that are paving the way toward realization of the hydrogen economy. On behalf of the entire jury, I am delighted to congratulate the company on this richly deserved success.”

With the HERMES Startup AWARD, Deutsche Messe annually honors a company that is younger than five years old and whose product or solution exhibits a particularly high level of technological innovation. The award is traditionally presented at the opening ceremony of HANNOVER MESSE.