Germany-based Eberspaecher, a supplier of vehicle heaters and air conditioners and exhaust systems, has entered the fast-growing market of hydrogen and fuel cell technology markets with its purchase of the U.S. company ViCTORi LLC, better known as VAIREX air systems. In the future, Eberspaecher will offer air supply components for fuel cell systems.
“We are deliberately investing in a future market and want to grow purposefully with hydrogen and fuel cell technology,” said Managing Partner Martin Peters, explaining the investment.
ViCTORi, operating under the well-known brand VAIREX air systems, develops and produces fuel cell cathode air compressors and related components. These control the power that the fuel cell generates through accurate air flow and pressure supply, making it a key component for the performance of fuel cells and contributing significantly to the performance, packaging and durability of the overall system.
The technology is already utilized in stationary as well as in mobile fuel cells applications and includes emission-free forklifts and conveyor vehicles. In addition, they are used as range extenders in light delivery vehicles as well as in stationary power generation systems. Due to the high reliability of the components, they can be used in fuel-cell trucks or buses in the future. According to market forecasts, a worldwide sales potential of eight billion US dollars is estimated for fuel cell systems by 2030.
