PARTNERS
Toyota Motor Europe
Project Leader
Toyota views hydrogen as one of the key building blocks towards carbon neutrality, using fuel cell technology for mobility and in the wider economy beyond transport. Based in Zaventem, Belgium, Toyota Motor Europe’s R&D and hydrogen business unit, Hydrogen Factory Europe are developing and integrating Toyota’s advanced fuel cell systems for a variety of European customers including manufacturers of light- and heavy-duty vehicles, buses, trains, stationary applications, etc. Toyota Motor Europe is thus anticipating significant growth in various fuel cell applications A crucial component of the fuel cell system is the hydrogen tank, which, along with the fuel cell system, is currently produced in-house by the Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan. Each application may require a customized tank design. However, the high costs associated with development, manufacturing, and regulatory compliance present significant challenges for wider use. There is a strong need for accurate and efficient simulation tools, testing strategies, and the reduction of regulatory barriers through a better understanding of damage mechanisms. Additionally, structural health monitoring could maximize the utilization of the high-value, energy-intensive CFRP tanks, thereby reducing costs and minimizing environmental impact.
OPmobility
OPmobility is a major and global Automotive Tier 1 supplier, active in on-board energy storage. OPmobility is a family-led independent group that operates globally, with 135 production plants in 25 countries and 25 R&D centers. The Group has a sound financial structure and strong liquidity. Its diversified customer portfolio, industrial excellence and innovation strategy enable the Group to position itself as a major player in the automobile sector. OPmobility operates in three main business areas: bumpers and exterior parts, fuel tanks and after-treatment (SCR) systems and assembly of modules for the automotive industry. The Group is firmly committed to technology transformation and sustainable mobility. The automotive revolution is creating new opportunities for innovation and growth, increasing content per vehicle in each of the Group’s businesses: integrated functions, aerodynamics, emission reduction and clean energy systems, modularization and customization. Leading the way in clean technology, the Group is designing innovative hydrogen solutions for zero-emission electric mobility. Within the New Energy Division, the product range addresses the entire FCEV value chain: (1) High Pressure Systems focusing on the production of Type IV High Pressure Vessels, (2) PEM Fuel Cell Systems and (3) the production of Fuel Cell Stacks in the joint venture company EKPO. The company has been involved in research and development of hydrogen storage solutions since 2014, though high-pressure tanks are bulky and heavy and need to be further optimized to increase efficiency in vehicle integration, but also improvements for large-scale production are needed. Knowledge created within the COMFHY project will have an impact in the improvement of the product and production process developments.
Sharp Composites
Sharp Composites is a company specialized in design, development, prototyping and testing of filament wound composites. Though it is a start-up company, the engineering team has an experience of over 30 years in the industry with a focus of compressed hydrogen storage for the past 2 decades. Axel Seifert, one of the founding fathers of Optimum CPV (acquired by Plastic Omnium in December 2017), created Sharp Composites with the mission to innovate and improve Type IV tanks on all levels: material selection, tank geometry, validation testing in order to further reduce costs of H2 storage and enhance sustainability, which perfectly matches the scope of the COMFHY project.
AMS
AMS is an international and dynamic full service supplier in automation projects with several divisions worldwide. Being specialized in ROBOTICS, PLC and OFFLINE programming, AMS is your partner in automation projects and turnkey solutions like our AMS Robomould Technology, the automated production equipment for your H2 liner until length 8m and diameter 1m.
Syensqo
At Syensqo, we’re explorers: experts in science and passionate about all its possibilities. Our innovative products and solutions help enhance the way people around the world live life every day: how they work, travel, and spend leisure time. With a diverse global team of more than 13,000 employees in 30 countries, we work together to advance science and help humanity move forward. Our knowledge, expertise and forward-thinking approach enable us to deliver on the ambition of a circular economy and explore breakthrough technologies. Our market-leading materials and chemical science contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products across a wide range of applications. From EV battery materials and biotech to sustainable seed care and green solvents – we drive transformation. At Syensqo, our commitment is to enable a faster transition to a green hydrogen economy for a clean planet. This work started in early 2021 when we launched a green hydrogen platform, bringing together all of the innovative materials and chemical solutions we offer to advance the emerging hydrogen economy. By creating this platform, we have significantly increased the resources dedicated to this emerging market, including efforts in research and innovation. Syensqo has engaged fully dedicated teams from research, engineering, sales and marketing to work together in crafting our added value proposition to the future green hydrogen market. The green hydrogen revolution is made a reality with Syensqo's advanced materials for hydrogen production, infrastructure and mobility. Used within electrolyzers, fuel cells and other facets of hydrogen systems like hydrogen tanks, Syensqo's products and solutions support today’s leading hydrogen technology platforms. Our innovation focuses on enhancements to system durability, efficiency, and total cost of ownership to help our customers improve the viability and scalability of green hydrogen technology. And as the green hydrogen economy accelerates, we will continue to partner with customers to make it happen.
Ghent University
Ghent University is represented by the research group “Mechanics of Materials and Structures” (UGent-MMS, Prof. Wim VAN PAEPEGEM and Prof. Mathias KERSEMANS). UGent-MMS has more than 30 years of expertise in experimental and computational mechanics of composites and NonDestructive Testing (NDT). The group has 7 years of experience in the field of composite hydrogen tanks, with particular focus on analytical design and finite element simulations. This project will allow UGent-MMS to expand its expertise in the area of design, simulation and inspection/characterization of composites for hydrogen storage tanks and be an internationally leading group in this field.