Continental has opened a new TechCenter for hydrogen technology at its site in Hamburg-Harburg, Germany.

The centre will be used as a platform for knowledge exchange, the promotion of new innovations and the transfer of existing technical solutions for new applications.

Continental said its aim was to bring together experts from different fields and industries to “identify technical, regulatory and infrastructural challenges along the hydrogen value chain”.

“We will see relevant industrial use of hydrogen as an energy carrier as early as 2030, and exponential growth in applications in the areas of industry, heat generation and mobility in the following years. This broad spectrum requires joint efforts by a wide range of players.” said centre head Piero Mancinelli.

Framework conditions have been established for stakeholders from local politics, industry, universities and research institutions.

Hydrogen is an energy carrier that needs to be stored and transported and transport conditions require developed infrastructure.

According to the supplier, the choice and development of suitable materials is a “key factor” in the success of future hydrogen use.