Cutting-edge innovation

We are developing new generations of fuel cell (FC) systems, based on disruptive technology. They will boost the performance of Symbio's StackPack, at the same time optimizing the environmental impact and drastically reducing unit costs, as well as the total cost of owernship (TCO), thereby enabling the rapid and competitive development of clean hydrogen mobility.

A holistic and integrated approach, currently unprecedented in the industry : mastering all the components and key performance criteria of our fuel cell systems in order to develop solutions adapted to each application.

At Symbio, we master all the key components of a fuel cell system:  

• The electrochemical core (Membrane Electrode Assembly or MEA);
• The fuel cell formed by the stack of bipolar plates and MEAs;
• The system (Balance Of Plant, operating conditions, packaging)

This integrated mastery of our systems enables us to optimize each parameter. We are gradually developing new generations of integrated solutions that will further improve their technological performance. Coupled with cutting-edge industrialization and a progressive increase in volumes, these will enable us to boost the competitiveness of fuel cell technology and gradually reduce unit costs to match diesel solutions by 2030.

A proprietary and demanding methodology for performance measurement

At present, there is no comprehensive, industry-recognized assessment grid for fuel cell system performance. That's why we have developed our own: ten criteria taking into account the essential dimensions of performance, to enable us to define the best solution for each application, optimizing total cost of ownership (TCO) throughout the vehicle life cycle, without oversizing or compromising on performance. 

Our technology roadmap for market-leading fuel cell systems that meet the needs of our customers, the pioneers of hydrogen mobility.

At CES 2023 in Las Vegas, we unveiled our technology roadmap for the H2Motive range of StackPacks fuel cells. Our StackPacks are designed to meet the needs of all mobility applications, with outputs ranging from 40 kW to 300 kW. 

Our optimized StackPack 40 (T5) will go into full-scale industrial production by the end of 2023, in line with the development plans of our customer and partner Stellantis. Offering a power density of 3.9 kW/L, the durability of this 40-kW system has been improved to 7,000 hours despite extremely demanding light commercial vehicle duty cycles.

Our next-generation StackPacks with even more ambitious performance targets are already planned:

• A first version of the StackPack (NG1) already delivered to customers for testing from the second quarter of 2023 and put into production for small vehicle fleets in the first half of 2024. With a power density of 4.9 kW/L and a durability of 20,000 hours, this 75-kW system will be used for buses, coaches and commercial vehicles. We will also be offering a 150-kW twin-stack system and 300-kW twin-system solutions. 
• A second version of the StackPack (NG2) is already under development, to be delivered to customers for testing in the first half of 2024, with mass production scheduled by the end of 2026. Our market-leading metal bipolar plate technology will enable our stacks to achieve a power density of over 6 kW/L. What's more, our proprietary Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEAs) can withstand operating temperatures of over 100°C and a service life in excess of 20,000 hours. NG2 will allow us to offer a unique stack with a net reference power of 130 kW to 160 kW for the most demanding applications (trucks, SUVs, pickups).
• Development of our brand new Full Stack Monitoring (FSM) technology, which will be deployed on all our new-generation StackPacks. By measuring the impedance between cells, FSM enables optimized Stack operations, prognostics for future maintenance requirements and remote diagnosis of performance variations. These key features will make our fuel cell technology ready for large vehicle fleets, increasing cell durability by up to 20% compared with existing solutions on the market. Production will begin at SymphonHy in 2023.

Symbio's 30+ years of systems engineering experience and over 8 million kilometers of driving experience enable us to customize our fuel cell solutions and to integrate them across all vehicle architectures, optimizing size, weight, power and efficiency. Thanks to our product portfolio, offering an unrivalled range of performances, and our fully integrated industrial capacity, our customers can confidently expect competitive hydrogen mobility and together we can build a more positive future.

360° open innovation : unrivalled capabilities, concentrated in our world-class innovation center.

We have chosen to bring together all our Research & Innovation (R&I) teams at our new world-class industrial site, SymphonHy, one of Europe's biggest production sites for fuel cell stacks and systems. Liaising directly with our production teams, it is designed to foster open innovation.

Our Research & Innovation teams include members from a range disciplines: design, chemistry, electrochemistry, physical chemistry, formulations, coating, polymer and metal materials, electrical engineering, mechatronics, systems, multiphysics simulation, command control, advanced quality control, physical measurement, etc.

Bringing together all our experts and researchers under the same roof encourages rapid iteration, co-construction and the emergence of new generations of fuel cells that are ever more disruptive, competitive and suitable for industrial production, meeting the needs of every type of mobility.

Our teams work in an R&I center of unprecedented scale for our industry, equipped with cutting-edge technology. 

Symbio innovation

• An R&I center of unparalleled scale
• 100 engineers and 16 PhD researchers 
• Around 20 nationalities
• Partnerships with world-renowned research laboratories  

Lifecycle thinking: a systemic approach to reduce the environmental footprint of our solutions

As the hydrogen industry is still in the process of being structured, there are currently no common standards for the environmental impact of our products. We are involved in several European initiatives (such as eGhost and SH2e) and are working to develop a method for analyzing the impact of our systems, coupled with recommendations for optimizing the cradle-to-grave environmental footprint.

Analyzing the life cycle of our fuel cells to minimize their environmental impact

Based on the circular economy principle, we have developed a comprehensive and demanding methodology that compiles and evaluates all the inputs, outputs and potential environmental impacts of our fuel cell systems throughout their life cycle, from sourcing to end-of-life and any recycling operations. Our approach takes into account eco-design, waste reduction and recyclability, carbon footprint, water and air quality, biodiversity and raw materials sourcing.

Find out more about our CSR policy

Our priorities: the recyclability of our systems and Platinum sourcing

Continuing to adopt a circular economy approach, we have set ourselves the target of ensuring that 95% of our systems are recyclable by 2025.

Platinum is a key component in all the fuel cell systems on the market. Since this material has a significant environmental footprint and high cost, reducing its use and ensuring responsible sourcing are major research priorities and we have set quantified short- and medium-term objectives :

• Priority sourcing of recycled platinum: >50% by 2025, >95% by 2030
• The development of a Platinum recycling sector in our operating areas, with the use of >10% locally recycled Platinum in our StackPacks® by 2025, and >50% by 2030

Contributing to a responsible European hydrogen ecosystem

Convinced of the power of collective intelligence, we exchange and collaborate with the world's leading laboratories. As a key player in fuel cell technology, we are committed to Europe-wide projects aimed at defining common measurement and analysis tools for our industry, to help it adopt a responsible and sustainable approach :

• The eGHOST project aims to set a first common milestone in eco-design criteria for the European hydrogen industry. The ultimate aim is to provide solid eco-design guidelines for fuel cell systems. Specific guidelines will be issued for two products: the proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) and the solid oxide electrolyzer (SOE). Find out more
• The SH2E project aims to develop common guidelines for the environmental, economic and social life cycle assessment of fuel cell systems through the establishment of a harmonized multidimensional framework for life cycle sustainability assessment and prospective analysis of fuel cell systems. Find out more

HyMotive: a transformational project that accelerates Symbio's roadmap to become a world-class fuel cell player

SymphonHy is part of our seven-year, €1 billion investment plan through our HyMotive project, supported by the European Commission as part of the Hy2Tech wave of the IPCEI (important projects of common European interest) hydrogen program, and by the French Government (France 2030, France Relance).

It aims to accelerate Symbio's industrialization and disruptive innovation, and will lead to the creation of 1,000 jobs. It will contribute to the construction of a solid hydrogen ecosystem in Europe, a key lever for achieving Europe's net-zero target.

In its second phase, HyMotive will develop and industrialize a new generation of innovative fuel cell systems, based on disruptive technology. This will boost the performance of Symbio's StackPack®, while drastically reducing unit costs.