Forvia establishes new hydrogen energy business entity in China

Faced with the increasingly severe global climate problem, Forvia group has set a goal of achieving net-zero emissions across all scales by 2045. As China continues to increase investment and support in renewable energy, Forvia is increasing its hydrogen energy business in the Chinese market.

Shanghai is a pioneer in the development of the hydrogen energy industry and actively promotes the sustainable development of fuel cell vehicles. The goal is to build a world-class hydrogen energy technology innovation highland, industrial development highland, and diversified demonstration application highland by 2035. As the “City of Automobiles”, Jiading District has become the area with the largest automobile industry, the most complete industrial chain, and the most significant industrial agglomeration among individual cities in China, according to Forvia.

Based on the favorable policy environment and the solid business foundation established by Forvia in Shanghai and Jiading District, the group decided to locate its new hydrogen energy business entity in Shanghai and establish Faurecia (Shanghai) Hydrogen Solutions Holding Co., Ltd. The new entity has approximately 35 employees and has established a hydrogen storage system assembly line with an annual output of 1,000 units to continue to provide the market with hydrogen energy products with better performance and cost.

Key players in hydrogen energy

Reducing emissions and improving air quality have been at the heart of Forvia group innovation for more than 20 years. As one of the recognized clean energy sources, hydrogen energy has become the centerpiece of the group’s carbon neutrality strategy. Since 2018, the Group has invested more than 400 million euros in the research and development of hydrogen energy technology. Through its Symbio joint venture with Stellantis and Michelin, Forvia develops and manufactures hydrogen storage systems and fuel cells, covering 75% of the hydrogen transportation value chain.

Forvia is actively deploying the hydrogen energy industry and will develop hydrogen storage solutions suitable for different application scenarios such as passenger cars, commercial vehicles, logistics, and industry in the next ten years. Forvia group’s goal is to become a global leader in hydrogen transportation and plans to achieve sales of 3.5 billion euros by 2030 combined with the Symbio business.

Drawing up a blueprint for the hydrogen energy industry in China

As the world’s largest hydrogen producer, China has elevated hydrogen energy to a national energy strategic status and is a strategic emerging industry and a key development direction for future industries.

Forvia is working in the same direction as China’s strategy and has planned ahead of schedule. It acquired Shenyang Silinda Anke New Technology Co., Ltd. in 2021 and officially launched its hydrogen energy business in China. The newly established Faurecia Silinda Safety Technology (Shenyang) Co., Ltd. factory has supplied a total of more than 15,000 Type III ctylinders for vehicles, and took the lead in obtaining the country’s first Type IV hydrogen storage bottle production qualification and product type certification.

In addition, Forvia continues to increase investment in hydrogen energy business, has established R&D centers in Shanghai and Shenyang, and controls 2 hydrogen cylinders production and manufacturing bases. At present, Forvia has achieved an annual output of more than 1,000 hydrogen storage systems, and large-capacity IV hydrogen storage bottles are in the testing phase. Forvia has established cooperative relationships with many relevant parties in the hydrogen energy field to jointly promote the development of China’s hydrogen energy industry.

Ma Chuan, member of Forvia’s global executive committee and president of Forvia China, said: “Hydrogen energy is an important energy source for the future and a key driver of the decarbonization of mobility. Forvia is committed to using leading technologies and solutions. The plan will promote the development of China’s hydrogen energy industrialization and help China’s automobile industry and society as a whole achieve the 30-60 dual-carbon goal.”