ELRINGKLINGER AG

Their core work

ElringKlinger is a major German automotive supplier that manufactures fuel cell stacks and components for transport and stationary energy applications. In H2020 projects, they contribute production-line engineering for PEM and SOFC fuel cells, focusing on scalable manufacturing processes, in-line quality assurance, and stack assembly. More recently they have expanded into battery sensing, energy storage systems, and hydrogen recycling, reflecting their broader shift toward complete clean powertrain component supply.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

From 2015 to 2019, ElringKlinger concentrated on fuel cell manufacturing processes — building production lines, automating stack assembly, and implementing quality control for both PEM and SOFC technologies. From 2019 onward, their focus broadened significantly: they moved into hydrogen applications for heavy transport and aviation, entered battery diagnostics and hybrid energy storage, and began addressing circular economy challenges like fuel cell recycling. This shift mirrors the automotive industry's broader pivot from component manufacturing toward integrated clean energy systems.

ElringKlinger is diversifying from pure fuel cell manufacturing into battery technologies and hydrogen end-use applications, positioning themselves as a multi-technology clean powertrain supplier.

How they like to work

ElringKlinger participates exclusively as a consortium partner — never as coordinator — which is typical for large industrial companies contributing manufacturing capability to research-driven projects. With 84 unique partners across 16 countries, they connect broadly rather than repeatedly with the same groups. This makes them a reliable industrial partner who brings production-scale know-how without competing for project leadership.

They have collaborated with 84 distinct partners across 16 countries, indicating a wide European network built through fuel cell and hydrogen research communities. Their participation spans FCH JU-funded and mainstream RIA/IA projects, connecting them to both fuel cell specialists and broader clean energy consortia.

What sets them apart

ElringKlinger brings something rare to consortia: actual volume manufacturing experience for fuel cell stacks, not just lab-scale prototyping. As a Tier 1 automotive supplier, they can validate production processes at industrial scale and contribute real production-line data on quality control, assembly automation, and cost reduction. For anyone building a project that needs to demonstrate manufacturability or industrial readiness of clean energy components, they are a natural partner.

Highlights from their portfolio

• VOLUMETRIQ
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 2M) focused on volume manufacturing of PEM fuel cell stacks with in-line quality assurance — their core industrial competence.
• H2Haul
  Ambitious real-world deployment project putting hydrogen fuel cell trucks on European roads for zero-emission heavy-duty logistics.
• SPARTACUS
  Marks their strategic expansion into battery technology — smart sensing for battery cells and modules, a departure from their fuel cell roots.