Plastic Omnium - 2020 Universal Registration Document

Accelerating the hydrogen strategy the leader in the complete system. Christian Kopp and Marc Perraudin explain. Key data €200 m invested since 2015 €100 m INVESTMENT annually in the coming years 280 ENGINEERS dedicated to rolling out hydrogen systems 2 R&DAND HYDROGEN HUBS F rance (Compiègne) and China (Wuhan) Why is Plastic Omnium investing in hydrogen? Christian Kopp: It’s a technology we’ve been backing since 2015, long before hydrogen took center stage. Hydrogen-powered mobility works in perfect harmony with the electric car. It has three main advantages: it’s suitable for long distances, produces zero-emissions and powers an electric car by generating electricity on board. How exactly does a hydrogen-powered car work? Marc Perraudin: It is based on three central parts: a high-pressure hydrogen storage system, a fuel stack that acts as a power plant to supply electric power to the engine, and finally, the “system” of components needed to make the cell stack work – thermal management, electronics, fluid management and power converters. Our strength is being the only player established across the whole hydrogen mobility value chain. How did you reach this level of development? Christian Kopp: Energy storage has been our business for decades. We’ve invested more than €200 million in hydrogen technologies over five years, such as with Optimum CP V , the world leader in filament winding. In late 2020, we formed a joint venture with Elring K linger (E K PO) to accelerate our progress into the field of fuel cell stacks. These investments enable us to offer our EWU VQ OGTU VJ G YJQ NG X CNWG E J C K P s | HT Q O Q PD Q CT F J[F T Q IGP U VQ TCIG VQ VJ G K P V GITC V G F U [ U V GO | s K P C p Q PG U VQ R U JQ Rq U V TC V GI [ What technical challenges remain? Marc Perraudin: The market is still in the pilot project phase for fleet vehicles. There are three issues to be addressed: mass production to bring down the cost of the technology, the development of infrastructure and reducing volume to make this technology compatible with all vehicles. With regard to the third point, we have a highly advanced, perfectly fit-for-purpose research and industrial facilities. What is the next step? Christian Kopp: The momentum is there. We’ve obtained the certification for our 350- and 700-bar hydrogen vessels ready to outfit the first vehicles in 2021. Commercially, we’ve taken our first order for 350-bar hydrogen vessels from a German bus manufacturer. Over the next few years, we will be investing €100 million annually to develop the product offer and our industrial presence. Right: Christian K OPP, President and CEO of Clean Energy Systems Left: Marc PERRAUDIN, CEO of New Energies INTEGRATED REPORT PLASTIC OMNIUM UNIVERSAL REGISTRATION DOCUMENT 2020 37