Continental and Censtar’s hydrogen link-up

Continental and the Chinese hydrogen specialist Censtar H2-Electricity Science & Technology are expanding their cooperation for the Chinese market and have signed an agreement aimed at developing dispensing hose solutions for hydrogen refuelling stations.

Song Qi (left), head of business area ContiTech in China and Wei Yu, Business Head Censtar shaking hands at the signing ceremony for strategic cooperation between Continental and Censtar H2-Electricity Science & Technology.

In the future, Continental and Censtar will work together to drive future mobility, thus further advancing carbon-neutrality, Continental said.

The company said that hydrogen has a very broad flammability range and safe and efficient hydrogen dispensing is one of the key processes at hydrogen refuelling stations.

Therefore, stricter requirements apply to the performance of hydrogen-related hose systems, for example regarding higher chemical stability, low permeability, resistance to high pressure, aging and hydrogen embrittlement, said Continental. The two partners will establish a team responsible for in-depth cooperation on specific projects.

Andreas Gerstenberger, responsible for the Industrial Fluid Solutions business unit at Continental, said: “The expansion of our cooperation is a further milestone on our joint mission to actively shape the future of low-emission mobility in China, and hydrogen and fuel cell technology are major building blocks. Clean mobility not only hinges on the necessary technology for vehicles, but also on a comprehensive network of hydrogen filling stations.

Safe and loss-free hydrogen supply systems are essential for the efficient refueling of fuel cell vehicles. We are already in the process of developing various vehicle components for the purpose, for example lines, hoses and engine mounts suitable for a nationwide roll-out of hydrogen fuelling stations.”

Based on the agreement, Continental will leverage its experience in rubber and thermoplastics to develop high-performance hose solutions for hydrogen dispensing and transferring while Censtar will provide its market know-how in hydrogen dispensers in China, hydrogen storage systems and the hydrogen industry, including market trend and technical requirements.

Since 2010, Continental has been supplying conventional gasoline refueling hose assemblies to Censtar.