Plastic Omnium, a leading automotive supplier and key player in the hydrogen value chain, together with AVL, the world’s largest independent company for development, simulation and testing in the automotive and energy industries, have signed a partnership agreement for the development of high and medium
power hydrogen systems.
The new partnership will enable Plastic Omnium to accelerate the commercial rollout, as of 2022, of a range of high-performance cost-effective hydrogen systems for use in all categories of vehicles. These complete future systems will incorporate fuel cells from EKPO, a joint venture between ElringKlinger and Plastic Omnium.
The agreement will allow the partners to deliver an integrated response to the full range of market requirements, with complete systems covering all power outputs from 10 to 200 kW.
Prof. Helmut List, Chairman and CEO of AVL states: “AVL is proud to enter this partnership with Plastic Omnium with the aim to develop leading edge fuel cell systems for a wide range of vehicle applications. The two companies fit perfectly well together as AVL will bring in 20 years of experience in fuel
cell development together with all necessary methods and tools, whereas Plastic Omnium has a unique track record in industrialization and automotive series production”.
The partnership opens the way to commercial collaboration to provide end-to-end solutions to the fuel cell market, focused on OEMs and fleet operators. Joint marketing activities will be set up, with Plastic Omnium focusing on the fuel cell systems side and AVL on vehicle integration.
Laurent Favre, Plastic Omnium’s CEO comments: “Plastic Omnium is now starting to produce its range of hydrogen solutions at scale. By pooling our expertise, this tie-up with AVL will ramp up development of a range of hydrogen solutions tailored to each segment, and help accelerate the emergence of hydrogen in the heavy and commercial vehicle segments. This partnership is another milestone in Plastic Omnium’s hydrogen strategy and in our growing role in zero-emission mobility”.
About Plastic Omnium
Around the world, Plastic Omnium provides carmakers with innovative solutions for more connected and sustainable mobility. A global leader in its three businesses, the Group develops and produces intelligent exterior systems, clean energy systems and customized complex modules. With an international footprint of 135 plants and 25 R&D centers, Plastic Omnium relies on its 31,000 employees to meet the challenges of clean and smart mobility. Innovation-driven since its creation, Plastic Omnium is now paving the way for the zero-carbon car through its investments in hydrogen solutions, for which the Group has ambitions to become world leader throughout the entire value chain.
Plastic Omnium is listed on Euronext Paris, compartment A, and is included in the SRD (deferred settlement service) and SBF 120 and CAC Mid 60 indices (ISIN code: FR0000124570).
About AVL:
AVL is the world’s largest independent company for the development, simulation and testing technology of powertrains (hybrid, combustion engines, transmission, electric drive, batteries, and software) for passenger cars, trucks and large engines. AVL has more than 9,500 employees all over the world. In 2017, sales revenues reached EUR 1.55 billion.
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