# Products
31.01.2022
Fuel cells: "From 2030, the passenger car market will also increasingly rely on this technology"
In a fuel cell, chemical energy is converted into electrical energy. This technology holds great potential for a wide range of industries such as the automotive industry which is working hard to develop vehicles powered by fuel cells. As Business Development Manager at MOCOM, Thies Wrobel knows all about the latest developments and materials used in such cells. Thus it is time for an update: What is the potential of this field of application and in what direction is it developing?
Mr Wrobel, what role will fuel cells play in the next few years as things stand today?
Thies Wrobel (TW): In addition to well-known battery technologies such as plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and fully electric vehicles (BEV), fuel cell technology has also been under development for some time. As a hydrogen technology, it will not completely replace battery technology, but will be a supplement for the passenger car sector to further reduce CO2 fleet consumption. This goes hand in hand with the production of "green hydrogen". In other words, the hydrogen must be produced sustainably, which is not yet 100 % the case today. In addition, the fuel cell is not the only hydrogen technology; research is now also increasingly being conducted into direct combustion of hydrogen.
What is currently being worked on?
TW: In the fuel cell itself, the bipolar plates of the so-called "stacks" will be made even thinner in the future so that the energy density increases. This may result in a longer range for vehicles such as trucks, but also in a smaller construction volume, which will give developers more design freedom concerning passenger cars. Work is also underway to extend the service life of the systems, to which our plastic compounds with their good wear properties also contribute.
When and in which applications will fuel cells be increasingly used?
TW: Initially, with the exception of the Japanese passenger car market, fuel cells will increasingly be used for trucks, buses, industrial trucks and in stationary systems. These will be produced in smaller batches, which means that optimizations can be implemented more quickly. From 2030 – according to forecasts – the passenger car market in Europe and beyond will also increasingly rely on fuel cell technology. It is the manufacturers’ goal to be in the same price category as electrical vehicles by then.
Is MOCOM involved in the development of current projects?
TW: MOCOM supports both OEMs and system suppliers in various development projects with its "FT-Fuel Cell" compounds. Here, in addition to the products already in the portfolio, customer-specific material developments are also driven forward – needs-based developments are our specialty!
What are the requirements for plastics used in this technology?
TW: In the field of plastics, new requirements have been created in recent years, initiated by OEMs and system suppliers, with regard to the purity of materials. The areas of the fuel cell (air or oxygen supply, hydrogen supply, cooling system, fuel cell stack or hydrogen tank) have different requirements for the materials. For the cooling system, for example, there are tests of conductivity; here, ion leaching plays a significant role. In order to meet these requirements, the tests are defined with the customers and most of them are carried out in MOCOM's laboratory.
Which MOCOM materials would you like to highlight in particular?
TW: Together with customers, MOCOM has developed a product portfolio based on various polymers (e.g. PPS, PP, PA but also TPV). The "FT-Fuel Cell Technology" grades already mentioned are produced both with defined specified raw materials and additives and in specially optimized processes with increased purity requirements.
For example, Alfater XL® FT, a TPV with various Shore hardnesses for use in seals, is excellently suited for cooling applications. Tedur® L PPS FT and Altech® PP FT meet the requirements of valves and pump parts outstandingly.
As far as air and hydrogen supply applications are concerned, we have an excellent material in Tedur® L PPS FT as well as in Altech® PA66 FT. For media-carrying components, Altech® PP FT offers an excellent material solution.
How does cooperation with customers usually work?
TW: The coordination process in finding the perfect solution for the customer is as follows: if we have an inquiry, we first look at the requirements in detail. On this basis, we recommend the right solution from our portfolio. If this does not yet exist or if modifications are necessary, our product development department comes into play. Together with the customer, they develop new materials for the specific application. Until the material is ready for series production, we support and accompany the development and are always on hand to provide advice.
Both we and our partner ALBIS can be contacted at any time!
Mr Wrobel, what role will fuel cells play in the next few years as things stand today?
Thies Wrobel (TW): In addition to well-known battery technologies such as plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and fully electric vehicles (BEV), fuel cell technology has also been under development for some time. As a hydrogen technology, it will not completely replace battery technology, but will be a supplement for the passenger car sector to further reduce CO2 fleet consumption. This goes hand in hand with the production of "green hydrogen". In other words, the hydrogen must be produced sustainably, which is not yet 100 % the case today. In addition, the fuel cell is not the only hydrogen technology; research is now also increasingly being conducted into direct combustion of hydrogen.
What is currently being worked on?
TW: In the fuel cell itself, the bipolar plates of the so-called "stacks" will be made even thinner in the future so that the energy density increases. This may result in a longer range for vehicles such as trucks, but also in a smaller construction volume, which will give developers more design freedom concerning passenger cars. Work is also underway to extend the service life of the systems, to which our plastic compounds with their good wear properties also contribute.
When and in which applications will fuel cells be increasingly used?
TW: Initially, with the exception of the Japanese passenger car market, fuel cells will increasingly be used for trucks, buses, industrial trucks and in stationary systems. These will be produced in smaller batches, which means that optimizations can be implemented more quickly. From 2030 – according to forecasts – the passenger car market in Europe and beyond will also increasingly rely on fuel cell technology. It is the manufacturers’ goal to be in the same price category as electrical vehicles by then.
Is MOCOM involved in the development of current projects?
TW: MOCOM supports both OEMs and system suppliers in various development projects with its "FT-Fuel Cell" compounds. Here, in addition to the products already in the portfolio, customer-specific material developments are also driven forward – needs-based developments are our specialty!
What are the requirements for plastics used in this technology?
TW: In the field of plastics, new requirements have been created in recent years, initiated by OEMs and system suppliers, with regard to the purity of materials. The areas of the fuel cell (air or oxygen supply, hydrogen supply, cooling system, fuel cell stack or hydrogen tank) have different requirements for the materials. For the cooling system, for example, there are tests of conductivity; here, ion leaching plays a significant role. In order to meet these requirements, the tests are defined with the customers and most of them are carried out in MOCOM's laboratory.
Which MOCOM materials would you like to highlight in particular?
TW: Together with customers, MOCOM has developed a product portfolio based on various polymers (e.g. PPS, PP, PA but also TPV). The "FT-Fuel Cell Technology" grades already mentioned are produced both with defined specified raw materials and additives and in specially optimized processes with increased purity requirements.
For example, Alfater XL® FT, a TPV with various Shore hardnesses for use in seals, is excellently suited for cooling applications. Tedur® L PPS FT and Altech® PP FT meet the requirements of valves and pump parts outstandingly.
As far as air and hydrogen supply applications are concerned, we have an excellent material in Tedur® L PPS FT as well as in Altech® PA66 FT. For media-carrying components, Altech® PP FT offers an excellent material solution.
How does cooperation with customers usually work?
TW: The coordination process in finding the perfect solution for the customer is as follows: if we have an inquiry, we first look at the requirements in detail. On this basis, we recommend the right solution from our portfolio. If this does not yet exist or if modifications are necessary, our product development department comes into play. Together with the customer, they develop new materials for the specific application. Until the material is ready for series production, we support and accompany the development and are always on hand to provide advice.
Both we and our partner ALBIS can be contacted at any time!
Contact: sales@mocom.eu
In a fuel cell the chemical energy of the fuel, mostly hydrogen, is made usable for electrical applications as a result of a reaction (with oxygen, for example) in the cell. This reaction takes place at the stacked bipolar plates. They have a membrane at which the electrons of the hydrogen are detached. These flow around the membrane, generating electrical energy. The hydrogen protons diffuse through the membrane and combine with oxygen on its other side, producing water as a waste product.