SFC Energy begins hydrogen, methanol fuel cell manufacturing in India

German fuel cell manufacturer SFC Energy has launched the manufacturing of hydrogen and methanol fuel cells for mobile and stationary applications at its new facility in Gurgaon near New Delhi in India. 

Together with the long-standing Indian partner FCTecNrgy Pvt Ltd (FCT), the production facility is expected to generate an annual sales of around EUR 100 million with the development and production of innovative energy supply systems for global markets. 

"The climate-friendly transformation of the economy is an urgent challenge and a significant common concern for Germany and India. Hydrogen and its derivatives will play an important role in this transformation", said Dr. Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, who inaugurated the Indian facility. 

"By producing locally, SFC Energy makes German technology more accessible to India and its economy, thus making an important contribution to the success of the energy transition", the minister added. 

Dr. Peter Podesser, CEO of SFC Energy AG, commented on the new development, "As a technology leader with the experience of more than 65,000 fuel cells installed worldwide, SFC Energy is a perfect partner to support the Indian government in its ambitious goals towards a sustainable and climate-friendly energy supply". 

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He further added, "With the start of manufacturing at the new site in Delhi, we fulfill the 'Make in India' requirements as well as the 'National Green Hydrogen Mission' and benefit from our long-standing presence and partnership in this growth market". 

"As the world's most populous country, India is the market with the highest growth dynamics in Asia for this technology, which can contribute not only to climate protection but also to air improvement. Demand is clearly exceeding our expectations. In the medium term, the aim is also to make green hydrogen and green methanol available on a decentralized basis", Dr. Podesser said. 

In February 2023, during the meeting between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the agreement between SFC and FCT was signed, marking the starting point for the production of fuel cells in India. 

In the future, SFC's subsidiary SFC Energy India Ltd. will be responsible for the production of EFOY Hydrogen and EFOY Methanol fuel cells as well as quality assurance, while FCT will continue to be SFC's "Go To Market" partner, according to the company. 

In this role, FCT will be responsible for the design, development, installation and integration of custom fuel cell solutions, as well as the development of other key peripheral system components for such solutions and after-sales service. To underline the strategic importance of the partnership, SFC Energy India and FCT have agreed on a mutual equity participation of the local companies.