Plastic Omnium investing $170 mn on H2 storage production plant in Michigan

French firm Plastic Omnium has revealed its plans to set up North America's 'largest' hydrogen storage production plant in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, to supply a leading American automaker. The facility will design, develop and produce high-pressure hydrogen storage systems for medium and heavy-duty H2 vehicles. 

 The facility, with an annual capacity to make up to 100,000 high-pressure hydrogen storage vessels, will be commissioned at the end of 2026  with carbon-neutral credentials, the company claims. 

The project is expected to represent a total capital investment of around $170 million and create
175 high-tech manufacturing jobs. It will be supported by the Michigan Economic Development Cooperation (MEDC) up to $7.4 million. 

In addition to the fundings committed by the State, Genesee County and Grand Blanc Township are committed to investing in the infrastructure and workforce development for the project, Plastic Omnium adds. 

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Laurent Favre, Chief Executive Officer of Plastic Omnium, commented on the development, "We are excited to launch the construction of our first hydrogen mega-plant in the United States, in Michigan, the heart of the
automotive industry". 

"This investment follows Plastic Omnium's record $2 billion order from a major U.S. automaker earlier this year, which confirms our leadership as a key technology partner for US sustainable mobility players", he added. 

A developer of exterior systems, customized complex modules, lighting systems, clean energy systems and electrification solutions for automotive players, Plastic Omnium is already present in Michigan with its facilities in Adrian, Huron and Detroit.

It is to be noted that the company previously developed and manufactured hydrogen storage systems for Dutch CV manufacturer VDL's hydrogen fuel cell trucks in Europe.