Fuel cell specialist AFC Energy plc’s (LON:AFC) collaboration with Italian industrial technology firm De Nora has moved into a second phase following the completion of the first.
The two now expect to finalise the design of a commercial fuel cell electrode and stack during the current year.
The stack will be for commercial application and “capable of mass automated production with warranted performance metrics”, AFC said
Demonstration of a new “upscaled and enhanced” system is planned at AFC's site in Stade, Germany, in the second half.
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The two also plan to agree a long-term electrode supply deal “building on De Nora's proven and qualified know how in the automation of manufacturing processes”.
AFC chief executive Adam Bond said: “We have been most impressed at the quality and capability of De Nora since first meeting the organisation in 2016 and since then, our two organisations have worked tirelessly in progressing the company's fuel cell platform.
“De Nora's manufacturing know how, scale up capability and ability to warrant electrode performance further validates AFC Energy's product offering and potential global reach."
Later Tuesday, at the company’s annual meeting, Bond will provide investors an update on the company’s progress in the last 12 months and against the three-year accelerated commercialisation plan.
The material advances include improving the longevity of the stack (towards 2,000 continuous hours of operation) and reducing the failure rate.