Hydrogen, an asset in the making for carbon-free mobility

Hydrogen fuel cells, not yet commonly used in engines, will have their role to play in post-oil mobility options, alongside all-electric vehicles. Arkema has anticipated this shift, developing materials and solutions that are already contributing to improving the industry's performance and business model.

The Hydrogen Council estimates that six million hydrogen tanks could be produced worldwide every year after 2030. For several years now, manufacturers like Toyota and Hyundai have been marketing hydrogen cars, while local governments have launched experimental bus lines. Yet the sector still only accounts for a marginal share of global mobility.

“The basic technologies for fuel cells, storing and transporting hydrogen, are essentially ready” explains Jean-Paul Moulin, Materials Science Director at Arkema R&D. “The key issue now is how to produce fuel in a carbon-free way.” While 96% of the hydrogen currently being used comes from the reforming of fossil-based methane, renewable, water-electrolysis production lines have yet to become economically viable. This is the subject of considerable global research and development efforts, fueled by the benefits that hydrogen, not as a source but as a “carrier” of green energy, would bring.

Complement with all-electric engines. Considering the challenges of post-oil mobility, which will require the best use of all available levers, hydrogen must take advantage of the development of green electricity networks and find its place alongside all-electric engines. “These two approaches are very complementary in their uses,” says Jean-Paul Moulin. “Hydrogen has a higher energy density than batteries, which means greater autonomy and much faster refueling times — it only takes a few minutes to fill up.” Fuel cells are therefore better suited to vehicles covering long distances, such as commercial vehicles, trucks, coaches, trains and even boats.

Arkema is working hand-in-hand with the hydrogen industry to rise to the challenge. This is the prospect being opened up by manufacturers and OEMs with expertise in high-performance materials, including Arkema, who are investing in this technology:

We are closely monitoring progress in the industry and are already developing a set of dedicated solutions that will contribute to improving the performance and carbon footprint of hydrogen vehicles.

Jean-Paul Moulin.

From tank shells to fuel cell exchange membranes, hydrogen mobility can rely on Arkema’s materials and ideas to write the future.