Sprintex Ltd (ASX:SIX) designs and manufactures air compressors for use in a wide variety of applications, including Sprintex® twin-screw superchargers for combustion engines.
The company’s compressor technology and products have been successfully applied, tested and proven in OEM (original equipment manufacturer) and after-market automotive applications.
The same compressor technology is now being applied to electric drive compressor applications, hydrogen fuel cells (which require a constant flow of oxygen rich air) and industrial oil-free clean air applications.
Sprintex aims to supply compressors to the burgeoning hydrogen fuel cell market, industrial air applications (such as wastewater treatment) and eSuperchargers.
The company has a global reach with an R&D facility in Perth, manufacturing in Malaysia, and an R&D and production facility in China established in 2021.
China subsidiary
Sprintex’s China facility was established with the support of a series of subsidies from the Chinese Government for its high-tech operations and clean energy profile, including three years of free rental subsidised by local government, additional long term project grant incentives, and local tax exemption of up to 80%.
The company has recruited an experienced operation and technical team in China from leading turbomachinery, electric motor and car manufacturers, to ensure swift development and production of products.
Air supply systems for water treatment
In October 2021, Sprintex signed a strategic procurement and cooperation agreement with Chinese Nanjing RGE Membrane Tech Co Ltd to develop and supply standalone air supply systems used in the water treatment industry in China.
RGE is a specialist water treatment membrane bioreactor and water treatment system company, with product sales and services marketed to all provinces of China.
The three-year agreement will involve a design collaboration between the two companies, with Sprintex customising and developing a series of standalone high-speed centrifugal compressor systems for use in the water treatment Industry.
The units will cover ratings of 10 kilowatts to 60 kilowatts and will include Sprintex-Aeristech compressor and controller technology along with other set requirements.
Sprintex/Aeristech industrial air compressor (centrifugal).
A market hungry for efficiency
“We are excited to cement the first industrial customer for our newest division," Sprintex managing director Jay Upton said after signing the deal with RGE.
"Whilst the clean energy market is providing many opportunities for the future, the agreement with RGE is a major step forward in the company’s expansion into the electric compressor market and provides an entry and a secure foothold into more mature industrial markets, that are hungry for the efficiency improvements that we can offer.
“Every efficiency improvement in an industrial process is a benefit that goes straight to the bottom line, so we are expecting to see more demand from the industrial sector as more companies become aware of our enhanced efficiency proposition for clean air compressor applications.”
Hydrogen fuel cell market
Global government regulations and zero-carbon goals have made hydrogen the ideal media for energy storage of renewable power.
Hydrogen could become the new diesel, with fuel cells replacing diesel engines in transportation, machinery and power generation.
The global fuel cell market is projected to grow from US$3.36 billion in 2021 to US$28 .95 billion in 2028.
An air compressor is an essential part of the fuel cell system to boost adequate oxygen (from ambient air) into the fuel cell stack and makes the system more efficient and powerful.
The fuel cell compressor market represents 20% of the fuel cell market size.
There is not much competition in the industry with less than 15 companies globally including Garrett, BorgWarner (NYSE:BWA), Bosch, Liebherr and only three operating in China - Xeca Turbo, Kington and DR Power.
eSupercharger/eTurbo
Electrically driven high-speed eSupercharger charges air into an engine to boost its performance, improves the combustion process, fuel economy, and reduces emissions.
eSuperchargers are now used in Mercedes AMG, S-Class and Audi diesel engines, with more coming in 2022 .
This technology is an essential step in turbo system electrification for mild-hybrid engines, which is cleaner with more power and no turbo lag.
Global turbocharger & supercharger market, in GBP billion.
Sprintex value proposition in eSupercharger/eTurbo
- Power Density – world’s most power-dense motor for 6kW to 10kW eSupercharger. Compact and low weight solution for easy system layout.
- Performance – response time only 0.3s from 5,000 rpm to 75,000 rpm to build up full engine boost
- Flexibility – capable of serving as a single boosting device, variants available for 12V, 48V and higher voltage vehicle systems for petrol, diesel and CNG engines
Development of Toyota Tacoma supercharger system
Following the continued success of Sprintex’s industry-leading composite supercharger systems to suit the popular Jeep Wrangler range of lifestyle-oriented on and off-road vehicles, the company commenced the development of a new supercharger system to suit the Toyota Tacoma 3.5 V6 pickup truck range to meet rising demand in the USA, Middle East and Asian markets.
The Tacoma 3.5 V6 model was introduced in the USA and is produced in similar volume to the Jeep Wrangler in USA, at about 250,000 units per annum.
It is a popular choice for off-road and overland recreational lifestyle applications.
With a similar engine configuration to the Jeep 3.6 V6, the Toyota Tacoma 3.5 V6 supercharger system will share many common parts with Sprintex’s latest Jeep supercharger system.
Sprintex will leverage its expertise and success with technically superior nylon composite manifolding and its highly efficient S5-335 front entry supercharger, which when combined, offer industry-leading low-speed torque that is essential to vehicles equipped with larger wheel and tyre packages and raised suspension for off-roading and rock climbing.