Large-scale industrialization
In 2023, the opening of SymphonHy, our first Gigafactory and Europe's biggest production site for fuel cell (FC) stacks and systems,confirmed our change of scale. With an initial production capacity of 10,000 systems, rising to 20,000 systems per year by 2028, this 4.0 site is equipped with state-of-the-art production processes meeting the highest automotive standards. It is a major milestone in rolling out our industrial roadmap in Europe and the USA. Our objective is to manufacture 200,000 systems per year worldwide beyond 2030, in order to support a quick time-to-market for our customers, and meet the growth forecasts of the zero-emission hydrogen mobility market.
An ambitious roadmap to meet the growing needs of the hydrogen mobility market
- 2021/ 2023: Pilot plant – 1,000 to 2,500 fuel cell systems/year
Our first production site, a laboratory for the development of our industrial scale-up processes. - 2024/ 2028: Ramp-up to large-scale production – from 10,000 to 20,000 systems/year
Launch of SymphonHy, Europe's largest production site for fuel cell stacks and systems, in Saint-Fons, France, in 2023.
1st expansion of our industrial footprint in the USA with the opening of our production site in Temecula, California, for the assembly of fuel cell-equipped heavy-duty vehicles. - 2028: Production capacity doubled – 50,000 systems/year
Construction of a second Gigafactory in France, as part of the HyMotive project to invest €1 billion in France by 2028-2030, supported by the European Commission and the French government. - Beyond 2030 ambition: 200,000 systems/year worldwide.
Mass production: Europe's largest production site for fuel cell stacks and systems
Our SymphonHy Gigafactory is Europe's biggest production sites for fuel cell stacks and systems. Operational from September 2023, SymphonHy accelerates the mass production of our fuel cell systems and allow us to support our customers in the roll-out of hydrogen-powered vehicles, including Stellantis in its pioneering ambition to produce up to 10,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles starting in 2024.
SymphonHy brings together under the same roof our production capacities and our Research & Innovation center, a benchmark worldwide. Our industrial ramp-up is therefore supported by both our ability to produce innovative solutions by developing a new generation of our StackPack brand systems, and our industrial facilities. In the emerging hydrogen market, where fuel cell production standards do not yet exist, our Gigafactory will help define these standards.
We have unprecedented measurement and analysis resources, with over 100 test benches. Almost half of these are used during production and dedicated to activating our systems, and the other half are used to support development, with very high-precision durability and performance tests. This latest-generation equipment was developed and installed with our partners, who are leaders in the construction of test, assembly and control systems for fuel cells, batteries and electrolyzers.
In line with our roadmap, this Gigafactory will be followed by a second, scheduled to be operational in 2028.
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. HyMotive is supported by the European Commission as part of the Hy2Tech 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 brand systems, while drastically reducing unit costs.
Expanding our industrial footprint in the USA: a Californian site operational in 2024, a new Gigafactory being explored
With the support of the California Energy Commission (CEC), Symbio is finalizing the construction of an industrial site in Temecula. Operational from 2024, the plant will assemble fuel cell-equipped heavy-duty vehicles (including trucks and commercial vehicles), as well as producing complete fuel cell systems.
The plant is a sign of CEC's renewed confidence, following its support for the “Symbio H2 Central Valley Express” project, which aims to demonstrate the advantages and reliability of hydrogen mobility for heavy-duty transport. Both projects aim to support California's goal of achieving carbon neutrality for its entire economy by 2045.
In line with our roadmap, we are also exploring opportunities to open a second Gigafactory in the USA, thereby consolidating our industrial presence worldwide.
Innoplate, a joint venture between Symbio and Schaeffler, aims to produce 50 million bipolar plates by 2030.
Symbio and the Schaeffler Group have set up the Innoplate joint venture to produce bipolar plates, a strategic component of fuel cells, Operational as of early 2024, the production unit is located in Haguenau (France). Its initial capacity reaches 4 million bipolar plates per year, rising to 50 million worldwide by 2030.