HELION announced the start of construction of its advanced high-power H₂ fuel cell plant. The megafactory is expected to be delivered in the third quarter of 2024 and will have a production capacity of up to 30 MW/yr, equivalent to the manufacturing capability of one fuel cell system per day.

Fuel cells plays an essential role in the decarbonization of heavy mobility sectors, such as trains, ships and construction or mining machinery. They can also replace diesel generators for data centers, low emission zones, construction sites or during events, thanks to associated H₂ storage.

Finally, fuel cells have the capability to inject energy back into the electrical network, facilitating the balancing of electrical infrastructures during periods of high demand and effectively stabilizing the network.

With the future 2,200 m² factory, HELION will have the opportunity to double its industrialization surface area allowing the company to better address its increasing recruitment needs. From 2024, it will employ more than 100 people, spread over 1,500 m² of production workshops and 700 m² of modern offices for the development center in charge of deploying the 6th and 7th generations of fuel cells.

The factory will have a fully automated production line, encompassing every stage from the membrane/electrode assembly to the final assembly of the complete module. In addition, the factory 4.0 will capitalize on digital and smart manufacturing technologies to improve production flows and optimize quality control. The production machines will be interconnected and digitized, facilitating real-time monitoring and analysis of manufacturing assets. Developed in close collaboration with industrial and logistics experts from the Alstom group, this innovation plays a vital role in ensuring the standardization and reliability of production.

The new plant will be the first high-power fuel cell manufacturing unit in France. It will facilitate the assembly of H₂ generator sets specifically designed for both stationary and maritime applications. These generators can also be integrated in parallel to exceed megawatt capacities, and thus addressing the decarbonization needs of companies and communities not only in France but also across the globe.