Levallois, September 21, 2022
As of 2023, Plastic Omnium will collaborate with Safra to support the development of its Hycity range of hydrogen-powered buses and retrofit(1) service converting diesel coaches to hydrogen.
Plastic Omnium will supply Safra with type IV(2) high-pressure hydrogen vessels for its new fleet of Hycity hydrogen buses destined for urban public transportation. The buses will feature the latest hydrogen technologies and will be fitted with six vessels to provide a minimum range of 350 kilometers.
Safra has won Europe’s largest ever contract for coach retrofits, to convert diesel coaches to hydrogen. The order placed by the Occitanie region in France highlights Safra’s pioneering role as designer of the first complete kit for coach retrofits: H2-pack®. Safra has therefore entered a long-term industrial partnership with Plastic Omnium, which will supply hydrogen vessels in addition to the fuel cell systems at the heart of hydrogen powertrain.
Plastic Omnium will be able to leverage its existing production capacities as well as offer Safra support for product launches by providing the technical assistance needed for after-sales back-up and maintenance services.
“This partnership with Safra is an important stage in our growth strategy and a proof of Plastic Omnium’s excellent positioning in the market, with its comprehensive, competitive and industrialized range of solutions for hydrogen mobility,” says Marc Perraudin, CEO of Plastic Omnium New Energies.
Stéphane Prin, CEO of Safra, adds: “We are determined to develop powerful long-term industrial partnerships to support the emergence of the hydrogen mobility industry. By teaming up with Plastic Omnium, the leader in sustainable and connected mobility, Safra is consolidating its strategy for accelerating the shift to decarbonized mobility.”
(1) Retrofits involve replacing a vehicle’s gasoline or diesel engine with a new electric motor, powered by batteries or hydrogen fuel cells.
(2) Type IV vessels, made entirely from plastic encased in carbon fiber, are the market’s benchmark solution since they are exceptionally light and offer optimal safety.
Plastic Omnium is confident that hydrogen will play a major role in the clean mobility of the future. The Group has invested more than €300 million since 2015 to increase its expertise and industrial footprint across the entire hydrogen value chain. Leading the way in this technology, Plastic Omnium plans to invest of €100 million each year in average to reach €300 million sales by 2025 and €3 billion sales by 2030.
Safra pivoted to a focus on decarbonized mobility as early as 2010, specifically hydrogen technology, which is a perfect fit for the heavy transport sector and therefore for passenger transportation. Anticipating strong demand on the market, Safra increased its capital in 2021, and brought in investment funds managed by Aqua Asset Management, a specialist in investment financing for the ecological transition. This growth will enable the company to create 400 additional jobs and boost its production capacity to over 200 vehicles a year by 2025.
About Safra
Safra, a French company founded in 1955, is a long-standing specialist in the renovation of passenger transportation equipment and a pioneer in hydrogen mobility. The company is committed to tacking challenges facing the environment, society, and sovereignty, seeking to become the leading accelerator of energy transition via sustainable decarbonization of public transportation in Europe.
Safra offers solutions that perfectly meet transportation authorities’ needs for transitioning to decarbonized fleets: manufacturing and selling hydrogen buses, hydrogen retrofits for diesel-powered coaches, renovation, and heavy maintenance for passenger transportation vehicles as well as a full customer service.
About Plastic Omnium
Plastic Omnium is a world-leading provider of innovative solutions for a more connected and sustainable mobility. The Group develops and produces intelligent exterior systems, high added-value lighting systems, clean energy systems, and customized complex modules. With economic revenue of €8 billion in 2021 and a global network of 137 plants and 31 R&D centers, Plastic Omnium relies on its 30,000 employees to meet the challenges of clean and smart mobility. Innovation-driven since its creation, Plastic Omnium is now paving the way for zero-carbon mobility through its investments in hydrogen and electrification solutions, a sector where the Group aims to become world leader.
Plastic Omnium is listed on Euronext Paris, compartment A, is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD) and is part of the SBF 120 and CAC Mid 60 indices (ISIN code: FR0000124570). www.plasticomnium.com
Plastic Omnium Contacts
Press: Sarah ADIL
sarah.adil@plasticomnium.com
Investor relations: Audrey ARNOUX
audrey.arnoux@plasticomnium.com
Safra Contact
Press: Emmanuelle SAUX
e.saux@safra.fr