Will France succeed in creating a world champion for fuel cells? In any case, this is the objective of the two tricolor equipment manufacturers, Michelin and Faurecia, who have just signed a major alliance in this area – in the presence of the Secretary of State for Industry, Agnès Pannier-Runacher. Both have invested tens of millions of euros for several years in this technology, which transforms hydrogen into electricity and thus fuel the electric motor of a vehicle.
“Joining us will allow us to accelerate rather than compete,” says Florent Menegaux, future president of Michelin. A stated objective, holding 25% of a market estimated at 15 billion euros in 2030. “This would be difficult separately,” adds Patrick Koller, CEO of Faurecia. This is the first consolidation operation in a hydrogen sector that is still very fragmented today.
A young Grenoble sprout
In concrete terms, the two groups will create a joint venture around Symbio, a young Grenoble-based company founded in 2010, whose hydrogen fuel cell systems already equip, in particular, 300 Kangoo ZE in the Hexagon.
Michelin, which held 47% of Symbio alongside Engie (23%) and CEA Investissements (9%), rose to 100% on 1 February. The activities will then be brought ad hoc both equipment manufacturers, in terms of R & D and industrial or commercial know-how.
For example, Michelin already manufactures fuel cells for Symbio. The manufacturer will however keep its own work on the membrane, a key component of the battery. Its partnership with Engie in hydrogen stations, particularly in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, will be pursued as well.
“The market starts”
For its part, Faurecia will keep its activity in hydrogen tanks (which it develops with Stelia Aeropace). In the fuel cell, the equipment manufacturer controlled by PSA has already signed a partnership with the Lion group, and works with Renault to equip, in addition to Kangoo, Masters or Traffic. “The market is starting. German, Japanese and Korean builders are interested in it, “recalls Patrick Koller. “We respond to many calls for tenders, it is now necessary to position oneself! “
200 people
With this partnership, the two giants will be able to offer three different and complementary technologies. They will hold equally the joint venture, which should have about 200 people at its creation, scheduled for late June. Called “Symbio, a Faurecia Michelin Hydrogen Company”, it will be led by Fabio Ferrari, the founder of Symbio. “We will now determine the pace of deployment, and deduce the necessary investments,” said Florent Menegaux, without giving figures at this stage.
Hydrogen technology is still at an experimental stage, especially given its high cost. According to Patrick Koller, however, it should be halved by 2025, which will make the technology competitive in some cases, such as heavy use (light commercial vehicles) or the need for greater autonomy (trucks) . Around 8,000 hydrogen vehicles circulate today on the planet.