Plastic Omnium, a New Player in Electric Propulsion

Regulatory News:

Plastic Omnium (Paris:POM), the world leader in exterior components and modules and in fuel systems, is stepping up its research to contribute to the future evolution of cars, by continuing to further reduce vehicle emissions.

The company is already present on the emissions control market with its SCR system, as well as its pressurized fuel tank systems for hybrid vehicles. It is now positioned as an actor in vehicle propulsion systems using hydrogen and fuel cells.

At the Paris Motor Show (Mondial de l'Automobile), the Group is presenting a high-pressure hydrogen storage prototype that can provide considerable autonomy and a recharge time of only 3 minutes, versus several hours for electric vehicles.

Fuel cells will allow electric vehicles to overcome problems related to autonomy and recharge times that are currently restricting their development. Plastic Omnium and the Israeli company ELBIT Systems have just created a start-up, POCellTech, working with fuel cells and supercapacitors. A joint research center recently opened in Caesarea, Israel. Plastic Omnium provides its automobile expertise in the management of electronic systems and fluids. The company's know-how, and ELBIT Systems' existing developments are coming together to create a fuel cell with very low precious metal content, as well as a new range of supercapacitors.
The research team, based in Belgium and in Israel, is now made up of 50 people.

Furthermore, Plastic Omnium is expanding its research in these areas, working with, among others, CEA in France, MIT in the United States, Technion in Israel (Israeli Institute of Technology) and DTU in Denmark (Technical University of Denmark).

Lastly, the Group is launching the construction of a advanced research center, ?-Deltatech, focused on new energies. Based in Brussels, it will require a €50 million investment and will employ 200 engineers. It is scheduled to open in 2019.

The Group, taking part in the Paris Mondial de l’Automobile, for the first time, will also unveil its emissions-reduction solutions, which simultaneously foster design freedom, driver comfort and connectivity:

• Weight reduction, up to 30% compared to metal, with increased use of composites in body parts and structural elements,
• Aerodynamics, using air grills and adjustable spoilers on bumpers and tailgates,
• Modularization, and increased integration of functions, particularly electronic ones, made possible by the electromagnetic transparency of plastic and the eventual use of new materials (shape memory, change of color, etc.)

Plastic Omnium, a global group with an industrial presence on five continents and supplying 45 carmakers, equips 20 models from 14 different brands being presented globally for the first time at the Paris Motor Show.

Paris Motor Show (Mondial de l'Automobile)

Plastic Omnium: Hall 1, Row B, Stand 222

Press Conference at the stand on September 30 at 8:30am

Twenty new models equipped by Plastic Omnium among the world premieres presented at the Paris Motor Show:

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