Cell Impact and thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering have entered a strategic cooperation agreement today, November 7, 2025, to jointly advance the development and commercialization of flow plates for hydrogen fuel cells and electrolyzers. The partnership marks a significant step in the industrial automation sector’s push toward scalable, cost-effective hydrogen technologies, with both companies leveraging their expertise in advanced manufacturing and automation to meet the growing global demand for clean energy solutions.

Flow plates are critical components in fuel cells and electrolyzers, serving as the backbone for efficient hydrogen production and energy conversion. The new agreement will see Cell Impact and thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering collaborate on technical development, joint marketing activities, and the scaling of manufacturing processes for these essential components. The partnership is built on Cell Impact Forming™, a patented dry forming method that uses high kinetic energy to shape complex patterns in ultra-thin metal. This technology enables exceptional channel accuracy and thickness uniformity, making it ideal for the precise requirements of hydrogen applications.

thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering, a business unit within the automotive segment of the industrial group thyssenkrupp, brings extensive experience in automation and industrialization to the collaboration. The company specializes in drive and battery assembly systems, particularly for electric mobility, and offers innovative automation solutions for series production. With around 1,100 employees operating across ten countries on three continents, thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering is well-positioned to support the global rollout of advanced hydrogen technologies.

Daniel Vallin, CEO of Cell Impact, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership: "They have extensive experience in automation and industrialization, and are simply a highly suitable partner for us. Based on Cell Impact Forming™, our unique and patented forming technology, we can scale the business together with thyssenkrupp by developing, marketing, and supplying cost-effective and high-quality flow plates to customers worldwide."

Cell Impact has spent several years refining its forming technology and process steps to enable industrial-scale production of flow plates. The company has already manufactured and delivered several million flow plates to customers in Asia, North America, and Europe, demonstrating the scalability and reliability of its solutions. The new cooperation agreement builds on a Letter of Intent (LOI) that the parties agreed upon in July 2025, signaling a long-term commitment to advancing hydrogen technology.

The partnership is expected to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen fuel cells and electrolyzers in various industrial applications, including power generation, transportation, and manufacturing. By combining Cell Impact’s innovative forming technology with thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering’s automation expertise, the collaboration aims to deliver high-performance, cost-efficient solutions that support the transition to a sustainable energy future.

This development is particularly relevant for the North American market, where demand for clean energy technologies is rapidly increasing. The partnership will enable manufacturers to access advanced flow plate solutions that enhance the efficiency and reliability of hydrogen systems, contributing to the broader goal of reducing carbon emissions and promoting energy independence.

As the industrial automation sector continues to evolve, strategic partnerships like this one play a crucial role in driving innovation and addressing the complex challenges of modern manufacturing. The collaboration between Cell Impact and thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering exemplifies the industry’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies and automation to support the global transition to clean energy.