Hydrogen in intralogistics – industry pioneers meet in Leipzig

• Successful event of the industry network Clean Intralogistics Net (CIN)
• More than 100 participants from logistics, intralogistics, airport as well as suppliers from the hydrogen and fuel cell sectors
• Diversity of fuel cell system suppliers grows
• Financial support still necessary

Leipzig, September 28, 2022 – The Clean Intralogistics Net (CIN) industry network hosted an innovation event with a performance showcase and plant tour at the BMW Group Leipzig plant on Tuesday. The plant has the largest hydrogen vehicle fleet in intralogistics in Germany. More than 100 participants from the fields of logistics, intralogistics, airports and suppliers of hydrogen and fuel cell technology came together at the event to discuss innovations in green intralogistics and fuel cell technology and to experience them in action.

“The developments in intralogistics are impressive, and many innovations of recent years are already in use here at the BMW Group plant in Leipzig. Now it’s a matter of harnessing the momentum that hydrogen is gaining, especially in the overall economic debate, for the industry.” says Christoph v. Knobelsdorff, managing director of the federally owned NOW GmbH, which accompanies the CIN network.

During the plant tour, the participants were able to experience live the 130 industrial trucks with fuel cells already in use at the BMW Group plant in Leipzig. In addition, also 11 hydrogen-powered driverless transport vehicles. The advantages of refueling vehicles with hydrogen in the process flow were also demonstrated, as well as the compact design of a hydrogen dispenser at the plant.

Under plant manager Petra Peterhänsel, the BMW Group is pursuing a holistic approach at the Leipzig plant and is already thinking far beyond intralogistics when it comes to the use of fuel cells: “In the future, we will also use hydrogen as an energy carrier in other areas of application, such as process heat in the paint shop, truck transport logistics and in the energy center area. A major milestone on this path will be the targeted pipeline-based supply of the plant by means of a hydrogen pipeline.” Currently, the hydrogen is delivered by truck.

Positive signal: market of providers is growing

The CIN’s network is growing, and so is the provider market. This was evident at the large technology show and marketplace – the second focus of the event. Intensive technical discussions took place at numerous booths. Two new partners in the CIN are also involved: Globe Fuel Cell Systems GmbH and FES Fahrzeug-Entwicklung Sachsen GmbH.

Another positive aspect is that the diversity of fuel cell system suppliers continues to increase. Prominent on the European market now, in addition to Plug Power, are Globe Fuel Cell Systems, the Kion Group with its Linde Material Handling and Still brands, and FES.

“Intralogistics recognized the hydrogen potential early on. The industry is well positioned for the ramp-up with a broad product range. Nevertheless: In order to improve the economic competitiveness compared to conventional technology, to create an incentive for investments in sustainable and innovative logistics solutions and to achieve a breakthrough for this green drive technology, targeted support from the German government is still necessary.”, explained CIN spokesman Kai Hesse of Toyota Material Handling.

Currently, 15 companies are organized as partners in the CIN to promote the market activation and market development of fuel cells in the intralogistics segment. The partners represent the entire value chain, from manufacturers of industrial trucks and fuel cells to component and gas suppliers and users of the technology.