OSLO: Hexagon Purus AS has signed two joint venture agreements with CIMC Enric Holdings Limited, headquartered in Shenzhen, China.
The joint ventures will serve the fast-growing demand of the Chinese market for safe, lightweight and cost-efficient compressed hydrogen storage solutions.
Relevant industrial standards for T4 cylinders are currently being implemented by the Chinese government. The joint ventures will also support the transition to zero emission mobility solutions in Southeast Asia.
“China is on the rise to become the most significant global market for Fuel Cell electric vehicles. Its successful energy transition to hydrogen requires safe, advanced and cost-efficient high-pressure Type 4 fuel storage solutions that are proven in the global market. By joining forces in China, CIMC Enric and Hexagon Purus together contribute state-of-the-art Type 4 know-how, as well as the market presence of a top, trusted Chinese brand. Both companies have proud heritages of providing world class products and solutions to their customers,” says Morten Holum, CEO of Hexagon Purus.
Leo Yang, Executive Director and General Manager of CIMC Enric adds, “China always thinks big – and China has decided that hydrogen will be the next big thing, within this decade. The CIMC-HEXAGON joint ventures are set up to offer what the Chinese market for hydrogen storage will demand – safe and proven products made by a team renowned for their integrity and world class designs and manufacturing processes.
Together, CIMC Enric and Hexagon Purus have the financial backbone to scale up to serve the expected demand for both Type 3 and Type 4 cylinders as well as high pressure hydrogen transportation in China and Southeast Asia. Together, we will drive the energy transformation with a joint vision of a zero emission transportation sector.”
China, the world’s largest auto market with over 28 million vehicles sold annually, has set its sights on creating a world-leading market for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) within two decades. According to Chinese policymakers’ planning, the market will grow from more than 7,000 FCEVs by end of 2020, to 1.3 million FECVs by 2035. It is also expected that hydrogen will account for approximately 10% of primary energy consumption in China by 2050.
The initial focus of the Chinese hydrogen strategy is on fuel cell electric buses and commercial vehicles. This will improve public awareness and showcase the safety of hydrogen. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) announced its collective ambition to achieve 23% renewable energy integration into its energy system by 2025, and even more by 2035.
The shift to zero emission vehicles is driven by the desire to improve air quality and reduce CO2 emissions, as well as to increase energy independence by utilizing large amounts of hydrogen already available in China. In addition, hydrogen provides cost-efficient storage for surplus renewable energy from wind and solar.
The cooperation will be organized around two joint ventures, a Cylinder JV and a Systems JV, both registered in Hong Kong. The Cylinder JV will be majority-owned by Hexagon Purus (Hexagon Purus will own 51% and CIMC Enric will own 49%) and the Systems JV will be majority-owned by CIMC Enric (CIMC Enric will own 51% and Hexagon Purus will own 49%).
The JVs will form operating subsidiaries in 2021 and a joint sales and marketing team.
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