SFC commercial order for military fuel cells

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2008
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 69 KB
• Volume: 2008
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1464-2859
• DOI: 10.1016/s1464-2859(08)70168-8

✦ Synopsis

Under the agreement, the companies will collaborate on the production of SOFC components -in particular anode-supported cells. CFCL will license its relevant intellectual property to CeramTec and provide ongoing assistance to optimize the performance of the cell against CFCL's rigorous specifications. Both firms will also collaborate to continually improve cell performance and manufacturing processes, and reduce unit costs.

CFCL recently signed a similar agreement with H.C. Starck in Germany, also to secure a high-volume supply of fuel cell components [FCB, March 2008].

CFCL's operations -including its powder production plant in Merseyside, UK -will also supply CeramTec with a range of high-quality ceramic powders. The company will use these to make fuel cell components which it will supply to CFCL and potentially other customers. Once optimized, CeramTec will supply fuel cells to CFCL at pre-agreed prices until December 2011, securing long-term 'cost visibility'. It is expected to start shipping products during the second half of 2008, with increases in forecast volumes for 2009.

CFCL will continue to produce fuel cells at its R&D and pilot manufacturing facility in Melbourne. CeramTec manufactures fuel cells at its plant in Marktredwitz, Germany and says that it is planning to invest in new equipment to increase capacity to 400 000 fuel cells per annum from 2009.