AFC Energy selects fuel cell manufacturing partner

AFC Energy on Tuesday announced Advanced Plastics Ltd as its preferred tenderer in the mass manufacture of flow plates for use within the its proprietary alkaline fuel cell system.

The AIM traded company said that UK-based Advanced Plastics was its top choice after the company presented a very strong technical proposal which demonstrated innovation in the mass manufacturing process at a price point which was most competitive amongst its peers.

Adam Bond, chief executive at AFC Energy, said: "We are pleased to be working with a local partner in the mass manufacture of a key component of our fuel cell system. The innovation and expertise Advanced Plastics bring to the table have allowed us to further enhance our plate design making the process of mass manufacture all the more achievable in meeting our expected needs. We look forward to working with Advanced Plastics as a new key supplier to AFC Energy's fuel cell system."

Finalisation of the flow plate design, which will regulate the flow of gases and liquids within the finished fuel cell system, follows months of computational fluid dynamics modelling and validation testing at the AFC Energy's Surrey offices.

AFC said that the next step is to integrate design work into a mass manufacturable product and to work with a partner to bring their own expertise and capability to the final flow plate.

Chris Pearson, joint managing director and shareholder of Advanced Plastics, said: "Since first meeting representatives of AFC Energy on our stand at Interplas in September 2017 we have applied our design, materials and manufacturing knowledge to progress from a solid concept to producing physical samples of a production feasible design. We are now delighted to be in the running for the next phase of the project."

AFC Energy's shares were up 0.20% at 4.96p at 1615 GMT.