Westport picks Chinese city for new hydrogen innovation and manufacturing facility

Westport Fuel Systems, a Canada-based supplier of low-emissions alternative fuel transportation technologies, has revealed its plan to expand its global manufacturing footprint in China with a new hydrogen innovation centre and manufacturing facility in the Changzhou Hydrogen Valley.

Specifically, the company teamed up with the City of Changzhou to build the facility which is scheduled to become operational in 2024.

Westport said it is focusing on China for this manufacturing expansion as China leads the world in hydrogen investment and infrastructure development.

Under the terms of the investment agreement, Westport and Changzhou will design and construct an ultra-modern manufacturing facility for hydrogen fuel systems, and office space specifically to meet Westport’s manufacturing requirements.

The Changzhou site is expected to also include a contemporary innovation centre that will provide continued focus on hydrogen solutions in support of Westport’s mission to develop innovative, specialized, and market-ready emission-reduction solutions.

Westport’s plan to invest up to $10 million over the next ten years is intended to enable the production of established hydrogen componentry to support the fast-growing hydrogen-fueled vehicles targeted to be on the road in China.

“We are excited to be partnering with Westport to develop a state-of-the-art hydrogen innovation centre and manufacturing facility”, said Huan Heng, deputy mayor of Changzhou. “Changzhou Hydrogen Valley is an important hub in advancing hydrogen-fueled vehicles for China and the world at large. We are pleased to partner and support Westport, a global leader in hydrogen and alternative-fuel solutions, in joining our growing community of innovative technology companies, and we look forward to our shared future growth.”

David M. Johnson, CEO of Westport Fuel Systems, added: “Westport’s GFI-branded hydrogen fuel system components have had a strong presence in the Chinese marketplace for over ten years, these components support both fuel cell and internal combustion engine applications that use hydrogen fuel.

“The city of Changzhou is dedicated to becoming the capital of new energy industries, making them an ideal partner for growth and providing the opportunity to establish manufacturing excellence on a regional basis, which in turn supports our global customers accelerating hydrogen as a prevailing low-emission transportation solution.”