VANCOUVER, May 26, 2015 /CNW/ - Ballard Power Systems
(NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLD) announced that it has received a purchase
order from Nisshinbo Holdings Inc. (Nisshinbo;
www.nisshinbo.co.jp/english/) for the next phase of Technology
Solutions project work related to the development of a breakthrough
catalyst technology intended to reduce manufacturing cost of
certain proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. The project has
now been underway for approximately 2-years.
Nisshinbo is an energy company providing low-carbon, optimized
products across a range of business lines, including chemicals,
precision instruments, electronics, automotive brakes, textiles and
paper. Nisshinbo has supplied Ballard with compression molded
bipolar flow field plates for more than 10-years, for use in the
manufacture of PEM fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs)
used in various market applications.
In a PEM fuel cell, the MEA is formed by placing a catalyst
coated membrane between two flow field plates. When hydrogen gas
flows across one side of the MEA and oxygen moves across the other
side an electrochemical (non-combustion) reaction occurs, splitting
hydrogen into protons and electrons. The electrons are captured as
electricity. Combining fuel cells together to form multi-layer
stacks increases the amount of electricity that can be
produced.
The volume of platinum catalyst coating material used in a fuel
cell has been successfully reduced over time, so that today it
represents approximately 10%-to-15% of total fuel cell cost. The
next phase of project work to be conducted jointly by Ballard and
Nisshinbo will focus on a new PEM fuel cell catalyst technology
that, on implementation, is intended to further reduce the cost of
Ballard's air-cooled fuel cell stacks. These stacks are used in
various market applications, such as Telecom Backup Power and
Material Handling.
Dr. Kevin Colbow, Ballard's Vice
President – Technology Solutions said, "At Ballard we are putting
fuel cells to work. For over 30-years Ballard has been at the
forefront of innovative developments in breakthrough technologies
that make PEM fuel cells higher performing and lower cost. We are
pleased to continue our multi-year collaboration with Nisshinbo as
we work toward cost reduction of the air-cooled stacks used, for
example, to provide backup power systems in wireless telecom
networks."
Toshihiro Kijima, Nisshinbo's
Director, Managing Officer added, "We are pleased with progress
made in our joint work with Ballard and look forward to completing
development of this new commercial technology in the forseeable
future. This will position Nisshinbo even more strongly in the
marketplace, with a unique capability."
The mandate of Ballard's Technology Solutions group is to help
customers solve difficult technical and business challenges in
their PEM fuel cell programs. Ballard delivers this through
customized, bundled technology solutions, including world-class,
specialized engineering services, access to the Company's deep
intellectual property (IP) portfolio and know-how, as well as the
supply of technology components.
About Ballard Power Systems
Ballard Power Systems
(NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLD) provides clean energy products that reduce
customer costs and risks, and helps customers solve difficult
technical and business challenges in their fuel cell programs. To
learn more about Ballard, please visit www.ballard.com.
This release contains forward-looking statements concerning
anticipated development results and impacts on our products. These
forward-looking statements reflect Ballard's current expectations
as contemplated under section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. Any such forward-looking statements are based on Ballard's
assumptions relating to its financial forecasts and expectations
regarding its product development efforts, manufacturing capacity,
and market demand.
These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause
Ballard's actual results to be materially different, including
general economic and regulatory changes, detrimental reliance on
third parties, successfully achieving our business plans and
achieving and sustaining profitability. For a detailed discussion
of these and other risk factors that could affect Ballard's future
performance, please refer to Ballard's most recent Annual
Information Form. Readers should not place undue reliance on
Ballard's forward-looking statements and Ballard assumes no
obligation to update or release any revisions to these forward
looking statements, other than as required under applicable
legislation.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy securities. The Ballard
Common Shares have not been registered under the United States
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the securities laws of any
other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an
applicable exemption from registration requirements.
SOURCE Ballard Power Systems Inc.