Swedish hydrogen fuel cell and electrolyser bipolar plate manufacturer Cell Impact has signed a collaboration agreement with Andritz to scale and speed up its production.
Under the collaboration, Cell Impact plans to combine its high-speed forming technology with Andritz’s advanced welding process to deliver high-volume production capacities.
© Andritz
As part of the work, Andritz will complete the development of its new Soucell system – a multi-scanner, “on-the-fly” welding system capable of welding one bipolar plate per second (1Hz) to match the throughput of Cell Impact’s forming process.
Bipolar plates are at the core of fuel cell and electrolyser technologies. They conduct electrical current from one cell to the next, forming a series circuit.
They also provide channels for the distribution of hydrogen and oxygen to the anode and cathode, manage water and heat, and also contribute to structural support.
The joint Cell Impact-Andritz project is expected to start in the first quarter of 2025, with hopes of installing a Soucell machine at Cell Impact’s Karlskoga plant by the second half of 2026.
“As we prepare for high-volume production, we have been looking for the right welding technology to complement our unique forming process,” explained Daniel Vallin, CEO of Cell Impact. “We are pleased to have found a partner in Andritz that can support our ambitious goals.”
Daniel Wenk, Vice-President Business Development at Andritz Soutec, added, “We look forward to contributing to the transition towards sustainable energy together with Cell Impact.
“This is an exciting opportunity given Cell Impact’s exceptional capability to produce bipolar plates at an unprecedented scale.”
Spotlight on… Cell Impact Forming™ for flow plates
Cell Impact Forming™ is the name of Cell Impact’s patented high-velocity flow plate forming technology and the foundation of the company’s offering. The name reflects Cell Impact’s belief that its technology will continue to grow in significance in years to come, and with the key patent valid until 2035, making it the foundation of Cell Impact’s entire offering.
Cell Impact Forming offers a multitude of technical features and benefits, the most important of which is forming at a much higher speed than in conventional methods, resulting in greater cost efficiency and higher quality. Additionally, its scalability and environmental friendliness are also important considerations for both customers and prospects…
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