Faurecia receives funding to industrialize next-gen CGH2 and LH2 tanks for 2024 production

Faurecia (Nanterre, France), a Forvia Group company, has been granted €213 million from the European Commission (EC) as part of the Hydrogen IPCEI (Important Project of Common European Interest) program. Started in September 2021, Faurecia, Historhy Next project consists of developing and industrializing two generations of lightweight carbon fiber gaseous hydrogen tanks, as well as a tank to store hydrogen in cryogenic form, by the end of 2027.

One of the objectives is to produce hydrogen storage systems in large series to reduce production costs, while maintaining a high level of quality. Another major challenge is to offer storage systems that are more respectful of the environment. Through this project, Faurecia is accelerating its development of more sustainable tanks, combining the use of low-carbon raw materials for their recyclability. Production will begin in 2024 at Faurecia’s Allenjoie, France plant, targeting 100,000 tanks per year.

In addition, fuel cell supplier Symbio (Vénissieux, France), a joint venture between Faurecia and Michelin (Clermont-Ferrand, France), is supported by  funds from the EC for its large-scale transformation project, Hymotive. This project will accelerate the mass production of Symbio’s latest-generation fuel cell systems in Saint-Fons, France, and develop and industrialize a new generation of low-cost more efficient fuel cells. Faurecia and Symbio are among the 10 projects supported by the Hydrogen IPCEI.

“I welcome the decision of the European Commission and the confidence placed in our projects. We are committed to bringing out hydrogen technology,” Patrick Koller, CEO of Faurecia, says. “This subsidy confirmed by the French government, which is in addition to the nearly €300 million already invested since 2017 by Faurecia in hydrogen mobility, allows us to consolidate our position as European leader by being present on 75% of the value chain. It is a key solution to decarbonize the mobility and industry of tomorrow, and we are proud to contribute to it. I would like to highlight the involvement of our team members in this success, and I thank them for it. Let's continue!”

See “Forvia brand Faurecia exhibits XL CGH₂ tank, cryogenic LH₂ storage solution for heavy-duty trucks” for more information.