SolviCore and Michelin have teamed up to power the most recent version of the French tire manufacturer’s pollution-free, hydrogen-fuelled ‘Hy-light’ demonstration vehicle. The vehicle features top environmental technologies and its latest model was unveiled at the Challenge Bibendum 2007 (*) in Shanghai(www.challengebibendum.com). Because the ‘Hy-light’ vehicle is powered by a fuel cell, its only waste emission is water vapour.

SolviCore provides the vehicle’s Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA), which is the‘heart’ of the vehicle’s fuel cell: the reactor where hydrogen is combined with oxygen to produce electricity.

"We are very excited about this partnership with a very innovative global company such as Michelin. SolviCore is a young company and we hope that we can contribute to designing the energy technologies of the future with our vision. With this public event Michelin certainly demonstrates and promotes that innovative solutions already exist for the benefit of environmentally clean transport. For SolviCore it is the first step into the public after a long time of hard work and we will continue to work hard, so that other steps like this will follow in the future." SolviCore managing director Holger Dziallas said.

"We are convinced of the urgency to propose solutions for a future clean mobility and the fuel cell will contribute for sure to this effort. The work engaged with SolviCore in the domain of MEA aims to achieve high performing, reliable solutions for use in the fuel cells. We plan to do significant progress in combining the knowhow of our both companies", Michelin’s Pierre Varenne said.

SolviCore is a 50-50 percent joint-venture of Belgian materials-technology company Umicore and Belgian chemicals company Solvay, who respectively enjoy a global leading position in precious metals catalyst and polymer membrane technology.

SolviCore started operating in July 2006: it develops and sells Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEA) to be used in fuel cell applications.

Michelin develops, produces and sells tires of all types all over the world. Michelin since end of 19th century has long been associated with progress in road mobility and Michelin’s future is closely linked to the future of mobility.