Impact Coatings enters into joint development agreement with Hyundai Motor Company for high-performance fuel cell coatings
Impact Coatings is a leading supplier of PVD-based coating solutions for fuel cells, offering coating materials, machines, and services. Global automotive producers and suppliers, as well as other companies active in the hydrogen energy evolution, rely upon Impact Coatings for innovation and expertise related to high-performance coatings of fuel cell plates.
Hyundai is one of the world's largest automotive manufacturers and is at the forefront of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle development. The group includes Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Mobis, and Hyundai Steel. Its commercial activities in the hydrogen fuel cell segment include the Hyundai NEXO SUV and, among other projects, the joint venture Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility in collaboration with H2 Energy (Switzerland), which encompasses a roll-out of 1,600 fuel-cell powered heavy duty trucks from 2019 to 2025.
The joint development agreement states that the companies will:
"... jointly research and develop novel materials, processes and equipment for coatings for applying it into bipolar plates for a variety of applications including fuel cells and/or hydrogen production."
The agreement specifies, among other parameters, customary commercial terms and conditions pertaining to scope of work, exclusivity, treatment of intellectual property rights, and sales support. With regard to exclusivity, jointly developed technology within the JDA framework will be treated as exclusive to the two parties for a set period of time. As part of the agreement, Impact Coatings will undertake to establish a physical presence in South Korea to help expedite the joint development initiative.
"This joint development agreement brings together the world class PVD coating expertise of Impact Coatings with Hyundai's automotive and fuel cell industry leadership. Together with Hyundai, we look forward to developing our next generation PVD coating solutions and to establishing a presence in the important and strategically located South Korean market," said Torbjörn Sandberg, CEO of Impact Coatings.