PLASTIC OMNIUM (EPA:POM) - EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies secures high-volume series production contract for fuel cell stacks

Transparency directive : regulatory news

17/05/2021 18:09

PRESS RELEASE
May 17, 2021

EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies secures high-volume series production contract for
fuel cell stacks

* Subsidiary of ElringKlinger and Plastic Omnium receives series production
  order covering a projected total volume in the high double-digit million euro
  range

* Contract with AE Driven Solutions for exclusive, multi-year supply of NM5-evo
  fuel cell stacks from 2022 onward

* AE Driven Solutions equips delivery vehicles for urban spaces with fuel cell
  systems

Dettingen/Erms (Germany), May 17, 2021 +++ The order pipeline of EKPO Fuel Cell
Technologies GmbH (EKPO), the joint venture between ElringKlinger (60%) and
Plastic Omnium (40%), is continuing to fill up: Aachen-based mobility company
AE Driven Solutions GmbH (AEDS) has awarded EKPO an exclusive, multi-year
contract to supply fuel cell stacks of the type NM5-evo. The order covers a
planned volume in the high double-digit million euro range. The stacks are
designed to meet AEDS's key criteria of performance, durability, and smooth
operation and are to be fitted to delivery vehicles as part of the company's
system integration efforts, the aim being to offer environmentally friendly
drive technology in urban spaces. Series production of the stacks is scheduled
to commence in the first half of 2022.

The NM5-evo stack is the newest addition to EKPO's stack portfolio. Alongside
high power density of up to 4.6 kW/l in the cell block, it meets the customer's
exacting standards in respect of durable, compact fuel cell stack design. In
addition to the comparatively low weight, this includes a high power spectrum
of up to 76 kW in pressure mode. Furthermore, the stack design offers the best
possible basis when it comes to scaling and modularization, thus allowing the
end customer to design its usage application with maximum flexibility and
efficiency.

Like EKPO, AEDS has geared its business to next-generation mobility. The
Aachen-based company equips vehicles for inner-city transport with eco-friendly
fuel cell systems. In this context, the AEDS team can draw on its extensive
expertise in the field of e-mobility. Following the successful development of
the Streetscooter as a battery-powered delivery vehicle by the company's core
team and its launch as a series application, AEDS is now using its experience
to deploy fuel-cell-powered vehicles in conjunction with new mobility concepts
in urban regions. In addition to CEO Tobias Reil, a former member of the
executive board and head of production at Streetscooter GmbH, the AEDS team
includes the shareholders Prof. Achim Kampker, one of the founders of
Streetscooter GmbH, and Stefanie and Alexander Peters, managing partners of the
NEUMAN & ESSER GROUP, which covers the entire value chain from the generation,
compression, production and storage of hydrogen as well as green gases. In
collaboration with other companies and institutions such as TÜV Rheinland, the
PEM Group, and RWTH Aachen University, a next-generation mobility cluster
centered around battery and hydrogen technologies is currently being created at
the AEDS site in Aachen.

Like EKPO, AEDS sees the significant benefits associated with hydrogen-based
technologies when it comes to evolving climate-friendly mobility. In those
cases in which the requisite hydrogen is produced by wind, solar, or water
power, the drive system that relies on such fuel cell technology can be
considered completely CO2-neutral. In the field of mobility, the advantages of
hydrogen come to the fore wherever idle time is costly. In addition to
long-distance transport, this applies above all to the area of last-mile
delivery, i.e., applications with a long range or cyclical operation. Areas of
use for vehicles include commercial and delivery vehicles as well as buses, but
also industrial applications in the mobile sector such as special vehicles and
materials handling equipment. In addition, hydrogen-based fuel cell drives are
suitable for trains, ships, or aircraft.

Through its parent company ElringKlinger, EKPO has been actively pursuing fuel
cell research and development for around 20 years. The compact stacks are based
on proton-exchange membrane (PEM) technology and convert chemical into
electrical energy using hydrogen and oxygen. EKPO offers stacks in various
configurations for integration into customer systems. Stacks with peripheral
components and system functionalities integrated into the media module are also
available as an option. These features enable considerable simplification and
cost reduction with regard to the fuel cell system. Drawing on the system
solutions of its parent company Plastic Omnium, EKPO can cover the entire value
chain of a hydrogen-based fuel cell drive. EKPO has an initial production
capacity of up to 10,000 stacks per year, which will be gradually expanded in
line with its order intake.

For further information, please contact on behalf of EKPO Fuel Cell
Technologies:

ElringKlinger AG
Strategic Communications
Dr. Jens Winter
Telefon: +49 7123 724-88335
E-Mail: jens.winter@elringklinger.com

About EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies

EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies (EKPO), headquartered in Dettingen/Erms (Germany),
is a leading joint venture in the development and large-scale production of
fuel cell stacks for CO2-neutral mobility. The company is a full-service
supplier for fuel cell stacks and components used in passenger cars, light
commercial vehicles, trucks, buses, as well as in train and marine
applications. Within this context, the company is building on the
industrialization expertise of two established international automotive
suppliers - ElringKlinger and Plastic Omnium.

The aim of the joint venture is to develop and mass-produce high-performance
fuel cell stacks in order to further advance CO2-neutral mobility - whether on
the road, rail, water or off-road.

Plastic Omnium contacts:

Press:

Myriam Malak: myriam.malak@plasticomnium.com
+33 (0)1 40 87 65 41

Investor relations:
Philippine de Schonen: investor.relations@plasticomnium.com
+33 (0)1 40 87 66 78

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PLASTIC OMNIUM (EPA:POM) - EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies secures high-volume series production contract for fuel cell stacks

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