ContiTech targets hydrogen with new technology center

HAMBURG-HARBURG, Germany—ContiTech has opened a new technology center that will act as a "collaborative platform" for hydrogen technologies, where the company is focused on the development of new applications.

The establishment of the center, located at ContiTech's Hamburg-Harburg site, is an "important step" toward increasing material competencies for hydrogen-handling solutions, the company said in a July 5 news release, noting the unit will investigate the different transport conditions and the infrastructure required across the entire hydrogen value chain.

"To ensure that the hydrogen arrives safely at its destination, hoses, lines, seals and fittings, containers, and means of transport must have suitable properties," ContiTech said, adding that it would tap its technical expertise in handling a wide variety of gases and liquids in the classic industrial sectors, such as oil and gas.

The company also will address technical, regulatory and infrastructural challenges within the hydrogen value chain and develop "corresponding overarching" solutions.

"We will see relevant industrial use of hydrogen as an energy-carrier as early as 2030," said Piero Mancinelli, head of TechCenter Hydrogen Technologies.

According to ContiTech, the selection and development of suitable materials will be a key for the successful use of hydrogen in the future.

"The gradual transition from fossil to renewable energy is not just about replacing one form of energy with another," said Michael Hofmann, chief technology officer at ContiTech. The transition, he added, entails "a transformation in all industries and sectors."

In this context, Hoffmann said hydrogen had "enormous potential" and would play a "crucial role" in decarbonizing industries.

Furthermore, the German manufacturer expects "exponential growth in applications in the areas of industry, heat-generation and mobility" in the coming years.

"This broad spectrum requires joint efforts by a wide range of players," Hoffmann said, adding that Hamburg offers the right conditions for such collaborations.

Concurrent with the opening of the center, parent group Continental A.G. and the Renewable Energy Hamburg Clusteragentur GmbH (EEHH) organized a forum about "hydrogen and transportation" on July 5.

The EEHH, Continental said, has already established a strong network of more than 100 "hydrogen players," consisting of small, medium and large enterprises as well as R&D partners.

The cluster has also created "excellent framework conditions" through joint activities for stakeholders from local politics, industry, universities and research institutions.