Das Innoplate-Werk in Haguenau, Frankreich. Foto: Innoplate (Cyrille Fleckinger)
Innoplate, a joint venture founded by Schaeffler and Symbio, has inaugurated its new plant for the production of bipolar plates (BPP) for fuel cells in Haguenau, France. Bipolar plates are a strategic component in fuel cell technology. Through the Innoplate joint venture, Schaeffler and Symbio are entering into the large-scale production of new-generation metallic bipolar plates for use in fuel cells, paving the way for emission-free hydrogen mobility. Innoplate is accelerating the production of next-generation bipolar plates for the entire proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell market. As a result, customers will benefit from increased performance, larger capacities and a lower price in the future. Schaeffler contributes its high level of industrialization competence and OEM expertise in areas such as steel processing and coating technology to the joint project and Symbio its highly integrated know-how in the design and manufacture of fuel cells. The joint venture started production in the first quarter of this year and is already supplying bipolar plates for Symbio fuel cell systems. It is currently operating with an initial capacity of four million bipolar plates, which is to be ramped up to 50 million per year by 2030. Innoplate is thus making a decisive contribution to the expansion of hydrogen mobility in Europe.
Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO of Schaeffler AG: “We are convinced that hydrogen will play a decisive role in the sustainable mobility of the future, especially in the heavy-duty sector. With the start of production of innovative bipolar plates for fuel cells at Innoplate, our joint venture with Symbio, we are contributing to more sustainable and climate-friendly mobility solutions with innovative technologies and a high level of manufacturing expertise. At the same time, we are strengthening the Franco-German friendship.”
Philippe Rosier, CEO of Symbio: “Bipolar plates are a key component in fuel cell systems. Innoplate’s series production is crucial to secure our strategic supply and enable improved system performance and effective cost competitiveness. Symbio is proud to join forces with Schaeffler to strengthen the European fuel cell supply chain with an innovative production system and cutting-edge technology.”
