About Us

Isondo Precious Metals (IPM),
is a new-age 4IR company based in South Africa
focussed on the hydrogen economy by beneficiating our country’s
Platinum Group Metals (PGMS) into catalysts and Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEA) for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Electrolysers & Fuel Cells.
Our goal is to become a leader in this nascent sector ahead of the anticipated market
growth wave.

IPM has built a State-of-the-Art, industrial-scale manufacturing facility at the
OR Tambo Special Economic Zone (SEZ), alongside the country’s largest airport in Johannesburg. This
PGM beneficiation project, has been gazetted by the South African Parliament as a country
Strategic Infrastructure Project (SIP) and represents, the first and clear country
manifestation of intent in re-industrialising our economy based on the
Green Hydrogen Opportunity.

Our products will include:

 

· PGM Catalyst Precursors & Chemicals

· PGM Catalysts for Fuel Cells, Electrolysers & other industrial applications.

· MEAs for Fuel Cells & Electrolysers

· Specialist MEA Testing Laboratory Services

· Specialist PGM Analytical Laboratory Services

· Recycling services for PGM Catalysts, MEA & other PGM materials.

Strong Government Support

SIP Status Obtained

Stepping Stones Towards a Future where Sustainability and Innovation Intersect.

Our journey towards a sustainable hydrogen economy is marked by significant phases, each representing a step forward in innovation, commitment to environmental
sustainability, and economic growth.

Industrial Scale MEA and PGM Catalyst Production

 

Focuses on the manufacturing of platinum group metal (PGM) catalysts and membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) at our state-of-the-art facility within the OR Tambo Special Economic Zone (SEZ). This phase aims to produce essential components for fuel cells and electrolysers, supporting both local and global hydrogen economies.

Hydrogen Refuelling Station and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Deployment

 

IPM has also developed a Hydrogen Refuelling Station (HRS) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) deployment project using 7 tons per day of available industrial hydrogen located 12kms from the OR Tambo airport. The hydrogen that is green to the extent that it’s produced using solar energy can fuel up to 800 fuel cell vehicles at a price that is equivalent to a diesel truck/bus operation on a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) basis and can conservatively save up to 80 000 tons of carbon per year.

The Advisory Board

IPM has a globally renowned advisory board and a world class technical team consisting of international and South African experts in the PGM and Hydrogen sectors. Our primary aim is to create desperately needed employment in South Africa and we have a well developed graduate intern program where young technical graduates are being trained by our technical experts in all aspects related to the green hydrogen economy.

Mr. Vinay Somera

CEO

Vinay Somera, founder and CEO of Isondo Precious Metals, has 30 years of experience in the platinum industry. He spent 25 years at Impala Platinum, where he significantly grew Impala Refining Services. A champion of metal beneficiation in South Africa, he founded Isondo in 2013. Vinay holds a BSc in Mathematics and Chemistry, a BCom (Hons), and an Executive MBA from the University of Cape Town.

Dr Mkhulu Mathe

Dr Mathe is currently a distinguished professor at UNISA and is focussed on the renewable energy and green hydrogen sectors within the university. Dr Mathe, was previously the Program Manager for the Living Energy Lab at CSIR and Chair of UJ’s Process, Energy, and Environmental Technology Station. He is a Director at Technifin SOC Ltd, a member of NACI, and sits on the Energy Storage sub-committee at the Department of Mineral Resources & Energy. Dr Mathe contributes to conferences, reviews high-impact journals, and mentors disadvantaged South Africans. Dr Mathe holds a BSc and MSc in Chemistry and a PhD in Electrochemistry.

Prof. Ferdinand Panik

Prof. Panik, is a leading fuel cell expert with over three decades of experience driving innovation in the automotive industry. Proven track record developing strategic projects and leading teams at Mercedes-Benz, DaimlerChrysler, and XCELLSIS. His expertise spans product development, international partnerships, and technical management of hydrogen fuel cell technology. Due to his distinguished career in the automotive fuel cell industry, he holds multiple awards for remarkable contributions to the fuel cell industry.

Prof. Katsuhiko Hirose

Prof. Hirose-san, has decades of experience in the global automotive industry, specializing in hybrid and fuel cell technologies. A strong advocate for the hydrogen economy, he had a distinguished career at Toyota, managing the development of the Prius and working on the Mirai. He founded the Hydrogen Council to promote hydrogen as a clean energy solution. Hirose-san holds a BSc in Physics, an MSc in Applied Physics, and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. He is also a Visiting Professor at Kyushu University and a consultant for global companies.

The Management Team

Dr Shanil Batohi

Ashlika Duki

Dr Mphoma Matseke

Allen Mangaru

Philip Jooste

Tim Spaniel

Derek Moodley

Dr Victor Mashindi

Kiran Somera