Cell Impact partners with ANDRITZ for high-volume production of bipolar flow plates
Cell Impact has signed a collaboration agreement with international technology group ANDRITZ to advance large-scale, high-speed production of bipolar flow plates for fuel cells and electrolyzers.
The centerpiece of this partnership is ANDRITZ’s development of the world’s fastest and most productive welding machine for this application.
Cell Impact of Sweden produces bipolar flow plates using proprietary high-speed forming technology. To boost its production capacity, the company plans to combine its technology with ANDRITZ’s advanced welding process. As part of the collaboration, ANDRITZ will complete the development of its new Soucell system. This multi-scanner (Galvo-Laser), on-the-fly welding system is capable of welding one bipolar plate per second (1 Hz), matching the throughput of the Cell Impact forming process.
The joint project will start in the first quarter of 2025, with the aim of installing a Soucell machine at Cell Impact’s production plant in Karlskoga by the second half of 2026. With the growing demand for bipolar flow plates, the scope of the collaboration is expected to expand.
“As we prepare for high-volume production, we have been looking for the right welding technology to complement our unique forming process. We are pleased to have found a partner in ANDRITZ that can support our ambitious goals,” said Daniel Vallin, CEO of Cell Impact.
Daniel Wenk, VP Business Development at ANDRITZ Soutec, added, “We look forward to contributing to the transition towards sustainable energy together with Cell Impact. This collaboration is an exciting opportunity given Cell Impact’s exceptional capability to produce bipolar flow plates at an unprecedented scale.”
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Soucell laser welding machine
Multi-scanner (Galvo-Laser), on-the-fly welding
ANDRITZ GROUP
International technology group ANDRITZ offers a broad portfolio of innovative plants, equipment, systems, services and digital solutions for a wide range of industries and end markets. Sustainability is an integral part of the company’s business strategy and corporate culture. With its extensive portfolio of sustainable products and solutions, ANDRITZ aims to make the greatest possible contribution to a sustainable future and help its customers achieve their sustainability goals. ANDRITZ is a global market leader in all four of its business areas – Pulp & Paper, Metals, Hydropower and Environment & Energy. Technological leadership and global presence are cornerstones of the group’s strategy, which is focused on long-term profitable growth. The publicly listed group has around 30,000 employees and over 280 locations in more than 80 countries.
ANDRITZ METALS
ANDRITZ Metals is – via the Schuler Group – one of the world’s leading suppliers of technologies, plants and digital solutions in metal forming. The product portfolio also includes automation and software solutions, process know-how and service. In the metals processing segment, the business area offers innovative, sustainable and market-leading solutions for the production and processing of flat products, for welding systems and furnaces with its own burner solutions, as well as services for the metals processing industry.