OPmobility to equip Chinese rail giant CRRC's hydrogen-powered trams

Paris, 

May 30, 2024

OPmobility to equip Chinese rail giant CRRC's hydrogen-powered trams

OPmobility, through its PO-Rein¹ joint-venture, has won a contract from the world's leading rail manufacturer CRRC (China Railway Rolling Stock Corp.) MRT Holding Group, to supply type 4² highpressure hydrogen storage systems. The new contract means OPmobility is the first automotive supplier to market this technology for mobility applications in China.

OPmobility, Shenergy Group (China's state-owned energy company) and CRRC MRT Holding Group are also forging a close, long-term partnership to develop hydrogen mobility solutions.

OPmobility will supply 76 type 4 high-pressure storage systems (each system comprises four 175 liter hydrogen vessels), a market benchmark in terms of quality and performance. They will be delivered and put into service from the end of 2024.

The systems will equip the latest generation of smart trams providing public transport in the city of Kuching, in Malaysia. The trams are fully autonomous and require no dedicated infrastructure: they mainly operate by following track markings on the road surface. Hydrogen is an ideal solution for this disruptive technology. Refueled in just 10 minutes, the trams can travel 245 km and reach speeds of 70 km/h. Each tram can carry more than 300 passengers.

In addition to this contract, OPmobility, Shenergy Group and CRRC MRT Holding Group have signed a memorandum of understanding to work together on developing high-end hydrogen storage systems for the rail market. As part of this collaboration, the three companies will combine their complementary skills and expertise and apply them to the technical and commercial development of on-board hydrogen storage solutions.

Laurent Favre, Chief Executive Officer of OPmobility, says: “We are proud to sign our first contract with CRRC, the Chinese rail giant. By equipping a highly innovative and sustainable mode of urban transport, OPmobility is confirming its position as a technology partner for all mobility players. On top of this contract, the three-way partnership between OPmobility, the leader in hydrogen storage, CRRC, the Chinese rail giant, and Shenergy, a major energy player in China, is a crucial step towards the creation of a robust and innovative hydrogen rail value chain. The emergence of a hydrogen ecosystem is crucial to meeting the challenges of low-carbon mobility”.  

(1) PO-Rein is a 50/50 joint venture between OPmobility and Zhejiang Rein (Shenergy Group subsidiary).

(2)Type 4 hydrogen vessels have a plastic inner liner surrounded by carbon fibre. Type 3 vessels have a metal inner liner.

OPmobility has been supporting the growth of the Chinese hydrogen mobility market since June 2023 through its PO-Rein joint-venture. 

OPmobility is a major player in hydrogen mobility, with an order book of nearly €4 billion, a presence across the entire value chain and manufacturing capacity in China, Europe, the United States and South Korea. 

About OPmobility

OPmobility (formerly Plastic Omnium) is a world leader in sustainable mobility and a worldwide technology partner to actors from every mobility sector. Innovation-driven since its foundation in 1946, OPmobility has five complementary Business Groups offering its customers a wide range of solutions: intelligent exterior systems, customized complex modules, lighting systems, energy storage systems, and battery and hydrogen electrification solutions. OPmobility’s customers also benefit from OP’nSoft, its inhouse software development specialist. 

With €11.4 billion economic revenue in 2023 and an international footprint of 152 plants and 40 R&D centers, OPmobility relies on its 40,300 employees to meet the challenges of making mobility more sustainable. 

OPmobility is listed on Euronext Paris, compartment A. It is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD) and is part of the SBF 120 and CAC Mid 60 indices (ISIN code: F FR0000124570). www.opmobility.com