- Symbio will invest 1 billion EUR in total over 7 years in France through its HyMotive project, with the support of France Relance / France 2030 in the frame of the Hy2Tech Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI).
- HyMotive aims to fast-forward Symbio’s industrialization and cutting-edge innovation, while bringing its total manufacturing capacity to 100,000 systems per year in France by 2028.
- Its first world-class facility in Saint-Fons, one of the biggest fuel cell sites in Europe, is expected to start production in late 2023 and to reach 50,000 systems annually by 2026.
- HyMotive will enable the creation of 1,000 jobs and contribute to the building of a strong hydrogen ecosystem in Europe, a key lever to reach Europe’s net zero objective.
- The Group confirms its ambition to be a leading global actor in Fuel Cell technology, reaching 1.5 billion EUR turnover with a production of 200,000 systems in 2030.
HyMotive, a game changing project to accelerate Symbio’s roadmap towards leadership in the global Fuel Cell market
Symbio, a Faurecia and Michelin 50/50 joint venture, today unveiled the global scale of its transforming HyMotive project that is to entail a total investment in France of 1 billion EUR through 2028. Hymotive will multiply Symbio’s capabilities in two phases.
In its first phase, Hymotive will accelerate the industrialization and mass-production of its current-generation fuel cell systems in its gigafactory under construction in Saint-Fons. Named SymphonHy, this plant will be one of the largest fuel cell system production sites in Europe, with a total production capacity of 50,000 systems per year. Its production is to start in the second semester of 2023 to support its customers, and more specifically Stellantis in its front-runner ambition to produce up to 10,000 hydrogen vehicles by 2024, in line with its strategic plan Dare Forward 2030. This flagship site will house the Group’s headquarters, R&D center, Symbio’s Hydrogen Academy, and a start-up incubator centered around zero-emission hydrogen solutions.
In its second phase, Hymotive will develop and industrialize a new generation of innovative fuel cell systems, built on disruptive technology to boost Symbio’s StackPack® performance while drastically reducing unit cost. With this additional Gigafactory, Symbio’s production capacity in France will reach 100,000 StackPacks® per year by 2028, contributing to the global roll out of competitive fuel cell technology solutions and a fast ramp-up of Hydrogen-powered clean mobility.
Both Symbio’s sites are designed to be environmental centers of excellence, with SymphonHy targeting BREEAM “Very Good” certification from the start of operations, based on the energy efficiency of its buildings and processes, and the use of renewable electricity and green hydrogen to reach energy self- sufficiency.
Hymotive will create 1,000 additional jobs throughout the duration of the project
Committed to be at the heart of a strong European industry & academic eco-system to foster and accelerate hydrogen mobility take-off
The HyMotive project will be developed through partnerships with 25 companies and academic institutions spread across 6 European countries. The efforts will focus on the promotion and acceleration of sustainable mobility.
Symbio is already securing the supply of green hydrogen in Saint-Fons thanks to the signing of various agreements: Elogen will manufacture a PEM electrolyser for on-site production of 1 ton of low-carbon hydrogen per day by end 2023. Longer term, the Compagnie Nationale du Rhône (CNR) and ENGIE are expected to supply Symbio with hydrogen coming from CNR’s Pierre-Bénite hydroelectric power plant.
Finally, Innoplate, its joint venture with Schaeffler for the mass production of bipolar plates (BPP), a strategic component of fuel cells, is effective since Oct 1st. The production is to start early 2024 in Haguenau, France, and should reach 50 million BPP and employ more than 120 people by 2030.
We are grateful for the trust received from our shareholders, the European Commission and the French government with our HyMotive project. We are enthused by these fast-forward developments that position Symbio well on track towards our strategic ambition to be a leading global actor in Fuel Cell Technology and reach 1.5 billion EUR turnover and an annual production of 200,000 Stackpacks across continents by 2030. Our aim is to be the strategic innovative partner of our customers, helping them to accelerate the deployment of their roadmaps for a zero-emission, silent and performant hydrogen mobility, thus building together a decarbonized positive future.”Philippe Rosier, CEO Symbio
ABOUT SYMBIO
Symbio, a Faurecia & Michelin joint venture, is a global hydrogen fuel cell technology partner to OEMs and sustainable mobility decision makers, with unique expertise and focus on setting automotive production standards. The company offers a complete range of fuel cell power products – StackPacks®, for different transportation needs including light duty commercial vehicles, buses and trucks and various formats of electric vehicles. Symbio is the fuel cell strategic partner of a leading global OEM that is launching a first-of-its-kind Hydrogen-powered LCV program in Europe. Its ambition is to become a world-wide leader in hydrogen zero-emission mobility, having a global industrial footprint and an annual production capacity of 200,000 StackPacks® by 2030, for use by vehicle manufacturers and hydrogen- stationary applications around the world. www.symbio.one
Read the most up to date Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Industry news at FuelCellsWorks
