cellcentric starts pilot production of fuel cell systems

cellcentric inaugurates pilot production in Esslingen for fuel cell systems, marking a key step toward mass production and advancing CO2-neutral mobility in heavy-duty transport. The goal is full-scale production at the Weilheim site by the end of the decade.

cellcentric Launches Pilot Production of Fuel Cell Systems for Long-Haul Trucks – cellcentric

Esslingen/Germany – A key milestone for the climate-neutral transport of tomorrow: cellcentric inaugurates pilot production for fuel cell systems at the Esslingen-Pliensauvorstadt site, taking another significant step towards large-scale production. cellcentric is working towards supplying fuel cells on a large scale by the end of the decade, when fuel cell powered long-haul heavy-duty trucks are predicted to become a key technology for sustainable transportation.

cellcentric’s goal is to develop, produce and distribute fuel cell systems on a large scale in the German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg that achieve the best possible total cost of ownership (TCO) in the highly competitive transportation industry. In addition, cellcentric intends to cover the entire fuell cell ecosystem – from the product itself to maintenance and recycling at the end of its life cycle.

“Fuel cell technology is a well-proven solution for CO2-neutral long-distance heavy-duty transportation. However, it has not yet been produced on an industrial scale, which is precisely the key to achieving economies of scale, optimizing the total cost of ownership (TCO) and putting cellcentric in a solid competitive position in the long term,” says Lars Johansson, Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Organizational Officer of cellcentric GmbH & Co. KG. “The opening of our pilot production facility in Esslingen today is not the end point of large-scale production, but rather the blueprint for the next step. In the coming years, we will continue to consistently drive forward the industrialization and scaling of production of fuel cell systems at the Weilheim site,” explains Johansson.

On June 20th, Lars Johansson and the cellcentric management team welcomed numerous guests from politics, business, associations, science and research to the opening ceremony, including Baden-Wuerttemberg state ministers Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut (Economics, Labor and Housing) and Thekla Walker (Environment, Climate and Energy) as well as Heinz Eininger, the district administrator of Esslingen, and the mayors of Esslingen, Matthias Klopfer, and Weilheim, Johannes Zuefle.

Fuel cell systems for sustainable heavy goods transport on the way to mass production

cellcentric’s modern production facility in Esslingen-Pliensauvorstadt is the ideal location to produce fuel cell systems. More than 100 employees have over 10,300 square meters of production, logistics and office/administration space at their disposal. The property in the immediate vicinity of the federal highway 10 is part of the Esslingen industrial park greenfield.

In a next step, cellcentric will establish the necessary production processes at the site to prepare for the start of a large-scale production of fuel cell systems with a high degree of vertical integration. With complete production at one location and a high level of automation, the company secures stable long-term economic development.

The complete process chain comprises the following production steps:

Ink Mixing & Coating – Precise mixing of the various raw materials to produce a dispersion for subsequent roll coating.

Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) – The roll-to-piece process assembles and puts together the components of the individual cell in a highly automated process in a cycle time suitable for large-scale production.

Sealing – Injection molding process applies seals in fully automated process.

Stacking – Automated stacking of the complete fuel cell stack.

Assembly – All modules of the fuel cell system are assembled according to automotive mass production standards.

Inline Quality Testing – Strict automated inspection and quality control protocol that accompanies all steps in the production process to identify and rectify faults quickly and reliably. It ensures continuous compliance with all quality requirements until the product is ready for delivery.

Fuel cell ecosystem beyond the product life cycle

In addition to the development and production of fuel cell systems for heavy-duty transportation, cellcentric will create a complete ecosystem around the highly complex assemblies. This will provide customers with products of unique quality while enabling seamless integration of the drive solutions into the vehicle management system. Moreover, a comprehensive service package including all maintenance and repair services will ensure that maintenance-related downtimes and unforeseen failures or breakdowns are reduced to a minimum for users – an important criterion in the transport industry for the best possible utilization of vehicle capacity.

Ultimately, cellcentric is planning an environmentally friendly return of the fuel cell systems at the end of their life cycle, in line with the company’s commitment to the highest possible level of sustainability in all corporate processes. Based on the concept of the circular economy, cellcentric’s cyclical approach aims to use resources, materials and products as considerately and sparingly as possible in four steps:

These include the Reuse of decommissioned fuel cell systems for other applications with a lower requirement profile, Refurbishment, a reconditioning and recycling of fuel cell systems for a longer useful service life, Remanufacturing – the total overhaul to refurbish and make the systems as good as new again -, and the recovery of raw materials and reuse in new fuel cell production through Recycling.

Sustainable propulsion technology for global heavy-duty transportation

In May 2024, cellcentric presented its smaller, more powerful and efficient NextGen fuel cell system for sustainable hydrogen-powered long-haul trucks for the first time at the ACT Expo in Las Vegas, USA. In addition, with the BZA150 fuel cell generation, the company has a close to series production and already practical pilot product that has been successfully tested by the truck manufacturers Daimler Truck and Volvo Group in demanding field tests. Series production of the NextGen fuel cell system is scheduled to begin at the end of the decade.

Further pictures are available for download at:
https://cellcentric.net/en/media/

cellcentric develops, produces, and markets fuel cell systems for use in heavy-duty commercial vehicles as the focus as well as for other areas of application outside vehicles. cellcentric is a joint venture founded in 2021 between Daimler Truck AG and the Volvo Group. The company utilizes the know-how and extensive experience gained from decades of developing fuel cell systems by its predecessor companies. cellcentric’s goal is to become a leading global manufacturer of fuel cells and thus making a contribution to climate-neutral and sustainable transportation by 2050. More than 520 highly qualified employees are driving our state-of-the-art fuel cell technology forward. They work in interdisciplinary teams at our sites in Nabern, Stuttgart-Untertuerkheim, Esslingen (Germany) and Burnaby (Canada). Around 700 individual patents granted, underline the company’s leading role in technological development.

About cellcentric

Christian Kleinert

Press contact

cellcentric announces its NextGen fuel cell system tailored for long-haul trucks in Europe as well as in North America

cellcentric introduces its new NextGen fuel cell system with over 350 kW power for long-haul trucks. Compact, lightweight, and reducing fuel consumption by 20% compared to the BZA150 generation, it is ideal for European and North American transport demands.

cellcentric Announces NextGen Fuel Cell System for Long-Haul Trucks in Europe and North America – cellcentric

Fuel cell system specialist cellcentric announces its innovative NextGen fuel cell system tailored for long-haul trucks also in North America. As a new player with many years of expertise, the company with European and Canadian roots will announce its NextGen fuel cell system tailor-made for sustainable hydrogen-powered long-haul trucks for the first time at the trade fair, alongside its BZA150 fuel cell generation, which has been successfully tested in demanding field tests by Truck OEMs, Daimler Truck and Volvo Group. As a key element of the sustainable mobility transition in heavy goods transport and haulage trucking, the pioneering system was also developed with a particular focus on transportation requirements in North America (USMCA). The target is to start Series production at the end of the decade.

With a compact design and a net output of more than 350 kW as well as a low weight thanks to the highly integrated single system package solution, the NextGen system achieves the performance characteristics of comparable long-haul conventional heavy-duty trucks while reducing fuel consumption by 20 percent compared to the current generation BZA150 fuel cell generation. This is also enabled by a power density increase of 30 percent compared to the current generation. Especially relevant for easy truck vehicle integration: the system design and performance enables a 40 percent reduction in waste heat at peak load, thus substantially lowering cooling requirements for the truck – a key strategic product fit improvement.

“Our NextGen fuel cell system takes heavy-duty zero-emission transportation capability to a new level,” Nicholas Loughlan, CTO of cellcentric GmbH & Co. KG, says at the ACT Expo. “The performance features are tailored to meet the high demands of heavy-duty long-haul truck transport, which is highly sensitive to Total Cost of Ownership, in all aspects – but above all in fuel efficiency – without compromising on range, durability, or reliability. During development, we also specifically considered North American transportation requirements, especially regarding the long-haul segment. With its TCO Benchmark Performance, cellcentric’s NextGen is a zero-emission heavy-duty long-haul game changer that will allow us to play a significant role in shaping the sustainable transportation transition, also in this important market,” says Loughlan.

Reliable, robust, and sustainable in the long term 

In addition, the cellcentric engineering teams have designed the NextGen fuel cell system to be as robust as is to be expected given the requirements of the challenging long-haul heavy-duty business: the system’s lifetime will deliver around 25,000 operating hours. The NextGen fuel cell system is also characterized by a high degree of sustainability beyond its useful life.

Fuel cell system also meets transportation requirements in the USMCA market

The strategic considerations taken in the product design specifically cater to the North American market: demand for hydrogen-based mobility solutions is growing in the USMCA market, triggered by the US subsidy measure in the form of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). In addition, the EPA’s recent final rule: “Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles - Phase 3” will also help pave the way for heavy-duty zero emission vehicles in the US.

With this market outlook, cellcentric is driving the development of the highly TCO-optimized NextGen fuel cell system, taking the requirements of long-haul heavy-duty transportation in North America into account starting in the initial design phase.

Highly integrated, compact and low-weight single system package solution

A peak power above 350 kW – ideal for transportation requirements in both the European and the North American market 

Highly efficient with expected fuel consumption savings of 20 percent compared to the BZA150 generation, enabling leading total cost of ownership

Reliable, robust, and sustainable beyond its life cycle

ACT Expo – cellcentric showcases fuel cell tailormade for long-haul trucks

At ACT Expo 2024 in Las Vegas, cellcentric unveils its innovative NextGen fuel cell for long-haul trucks. This tailored solution offers high efficiency, quick refueling, and competitive total cost of ownership for heavy-duty transport.

cellcentric Showcases Custom Fuel Cell for Long-Haul Trucks at ACT Expo 2024 – cellcentric

Three decades of concentrated expertise in fuel cell development: cellcentric was established in March 2021 as a 50:50 joint venture between Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group. Both are leading companies in the commercial vehicle industry and not only bring their financial backing to this joint venture but, above all, also their expertise in the sustainable hydrogen-powered drivetrain of the future.

cellcentric is an independent company with more than 520 employees that engages in the development, production and marketing of fuel cell power units for the commercial vehicle industry. When integrating fuel cell systems into vehicles, cellcentric’s development teams work closely with the respective customers’ R&D teams to further optimize the fuel cell application to meet individual requirements.

Many cellcentric employees originating from one of the two companies, as well as the successful cooperation with Daimler Truck and the Volvo Group, ensure that cellcentric has an excellent understanding of transportation sector needs. Added to that is profound knowledge of efficient high-volume manufacturing to the highest quality standards. To date, cellcentric has made around 700 patent applications – underscoring its leading role in fuel cell development.

Background to the strategic decision to enter the North American market: Demand for hydrogen-based mobility solutions is growing in the USMCA market as a consequence of favorable US regulatory environment and incentives to decarbonize. This market outlook prompted cellcentric to significantly accelerate development of its highly innovative NextGen fuel cell, taking into account the needs of long-haul heavy goods traffic in North America from the earliest concept phase.

NextGen enables Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and performance characteristics comparable with those of diesel-powered long-haul trucks. Alongside excellent drivability and outstanding range, these include short refueling stops similar to those of conventionally powered heavy trucks. Fuel cell trucks are ideally suited to decarbonize flexible and demanding long-haul road transportation. They can also be operated in areas where electric charging options are limited and demands on
vehicle flexibility are high.

“Our NextGen fuel cell impressively demonstrates that the transition to sustainable, environmentally friendly drive technologies can already be a reality on the North American market, even in tough heavy-duty haulage,” said Nicholas Loughlan, CTO at cellcentric GmbH & Co. KG. “The fact that it is compact, efficient and powerful means that we can even better fulfill the demands of heavy-duty long-haul. NextGen is engineered for high mileage and trimmed for cost efficiency to make it the absolute champ in operating costs for heavy-duty trucks,” added Loughlan.

Should you visit ACT in Las Vegas, we invite you to visit us on booth 3045. You can find further information and the opportunity to reserve and individual appointment with our experts by clicking here: cellcentric.net/en/actexpo/

Furthermore, we would like to draw your attention to two more events taking place in and around the trade fair:

Hydrogen Workshop – The Current Landscape for Heavy-Duty Hydrogen Vehicles: panel discussion with Nicholas Loughlan, CTO at cellcentric GmbH & Co. KG, on Monday, May 20, 12:45 – 13:45 p.m.

Fuel cell deep dives: informative expert presentations at the cellcentric booth 3045 – for appointments and registration, click here: cellcentric.net/en/actexpo/

cellcentric develops, produces, and markets fuel cell systems for use in heavy commercial vehicles as the focus as well as for other areas of application outside vehicles. cellcentric is a joint venture between Daimler Truck AG and the Volvo Group, which was founded in 2021. The company utilizes the know-how and extensive experience gained from several decades of fuel cell development work at its predecessor companies. cellcentric’s goal is to become a leading global manufacturer of fuel cells and thus contribute to climate-neutral and sustainable transportation by 2050. More than 520 highly qualified employees are driving our state-of-the-art fuel cell technology forward. They work in interdisciplinary teams at locations in Nabern, Stuttgart-Untertürkheim, Esslingen (Germany) and Burnaby (Canada). Around 700 individual patents have been granted, underlining the company’s leading role in technological development.

Christian Kleinert
+49 (0)175 5337198
christian.kleinert@cellcentric.net

Fuel cell fulfills transportation demands in the USMCA market

New player with decades of expertise and market-specific innovations: fuel cell specialist cellcentric officially showcases fuel cell tailormade for long-haul trucks, for the first time in North America at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in the Las Vegas Convention Center (May 20-23, booth 3045). At the trade fair, the company with European roots and Canadian heritage presents its tailormade close-to-production solution for the long-haul trucks of the future, sustainably powered by hydrogen and fuel cells.

cellcentric combines 30 years of expertise in fuel cell technology, backed by Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group. Our goal: To enable climate-neutral and sustainable mobility worldwide by 2050. Explore career opportunities and contribute to a cleaner future.

cellcentric – Leading Manufacturer of Fuel Cells for Sustainable Mobility by 2050

cellcentric's mission is to become a leading global manufacturer of fuel cells, enabling the world to take a major step towards climate-neutral and sustainable mobility by 2050.

We power sustainable life

With the combined forces of Daimler Truck AG and the Volvo Group, we bring together 30 years of extensive experience in developing safe and efficient world-class fuel cell systems. By using hydrogen in our fuel cells, we produce energy with no emissions other than pure water.

A new company on the fuel cell market with over 30 years of experience

With the impressive combination of decades of fuel cell expertise and the start-up spirit of a newly founded organisation, our company is the ideal place to work. cellcentric offers the best conditions for your job, your career and your personal development. From taster internships for school students, to jobs as working students, to direct entry for experienced professionals.

Career at cellcentric

Help the world take a major step towards climate-neutral and sustainable mobility. With the combined forces of the Daimler Truck AG and the Volvo Group AB, we bring together 30 years’ worth of extensive experience in developing safe and efficient world-class fuel cell systems.

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