French company Hycco participates in AIM-PLATES project to validate scaling of composite bipolar plates

en.Wedoany.com Reported - French company Hycco is participating in the AIM-PLATES project, part of the European Union's Horizon Europe program, aimed at accelerating the industrial deployment of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells in Europe.

Bipolar plates are a critical component of fuel cells, not a secondary part. They account for up to 80% of the total weight of the stack and approximately 40% of the total fuel cell cost. Currently, the European market heavily relies on imported metal or graphite bipolar plate solutions, creating actual dependencies in terms of cost, supply chain, and key components.

The 16 consortium partners of the AIM-PLATES project are working to advance the industrial design of bipolar plate assemblies. Solutions include: adopting ultra-thin, high-performance composite material architectures; developing cost-effective and recyclable materials; implementing digitally controlled, first-time-right manufacturing processes; and ensuring durability that meets certification standards.

The project will focus on two practical application demonstration scenarios: high-temperature PEM fuel cells for the aviation sector and low-temperature PEM fuel cells for the automotive sector. Goals include establishing a pilot production line at Technology Readiness Level 7 (TRL 7), validating manufacturability, and reducing risks in industrial scaling. By 2030, the project's vision also includes significantly reducing CO2 emissions per bipolar plate, decreasing reliance on imported components, and promoting technology replication in fuel cells, electrolyzers, and other net-zero technologies.

For Hycco, this project marks the transition of its validated composite bipolar plate technology to industrial-scale manufacturing, proving that the technology is not only feasible but can also be manufactured, scaled, and delivered in high volumes with consistent quality under constraints.

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