Plastic Omnium opens hydrogen storage R&D centers in Belgium, China

The Plastic Omnium Group (Levallois, France) recently opened two new research and development centers to focus on emissions control and fuel systems, as well as new energies.

The ω-Omegatech center opened in Wuhan, China on June 18, employing 150 engineers and technicians. The number of employees is expected to be close to 200 by the end of 2019. Specializing in development, testing, prototyping and mechanical testing of fuel systems, it will also conduct testing and development for high-pressure hydrogen tanks. The site is also an engineer training center for new energies. With 57 projects currently in development, this site is intended to provide Plastic Omnium with the resources to support its Asian customers’ needs for clean mobility. In particular, this center will support the Group's rapid growth in China, where its fuel systems market share is expected to double to reach 17% by 2022.

The Δ-Deltatech center opened in Brussels, Belgium on July 1. This center is the company’s Clean Energy Systems business Research and Innovation center, focusing on emissions reduction and fuel systems. It is also the spearhead for R&D into new energies, fuel cells and hydrogen storage. By the end of the year, it is expected to employ 150 engineers and technicians. It is the Group's third global R&D center.

ω-Omegatech and Δ-Deltatech represent a global investment of €100 million. The company says that these two centers represent its commitment to clean, carbon-free energy and, in particular, hydrogen.