Green technology made in Austria: SAG’s cryo-fuelling system proves itself at the #HydrogenRecordRun

• 1000 km range and 0% CO2 emissions on the journey across Germany with the fuel cell-powered GenH2 truck from Daimler Truck
• Austrian development engineers set technical milestone on the way to zero emissions in truck transport with cryo-tank technology

(Lend, 2.10.2023). Minus 253 degrees Celsius and high pressure are constantly required to store hydrogen in a liquid aggregate state and make it available as a climate-friendly fuel alternative with maximum energy density. The R&D experts at SAG have succeeded in developing a tank system that meets these extreme requirements. The result is a cryogenic refuelling solution that represents an important building block on the road to climate-friendly truck transport. The system meets all technical requirements and has already proven itself several times in practical tests on Daimler Truck’s fuel cell truck GenH2 Truck thanks to its smaller size, lower weight, high reliability and safety. Most recently at the #HydrogenRecordRun across Germany. With a tank load of 2×40 kg hydrogen, a distance of exactly 1,047 km was covered safely and quickly. This successful long-distance test is another milestone in the development of the SAG cryo tank system.

Hydrogen is considered the fuel of the future on the road to emission-free mobility. Thanks to its high energy density and short refuelling times, liquid hydrogen in particular is a promising alternative to diesel, and experts assume that it will play a decisive role in achieving the EU’s climate targets in truck transport in the future.

LH2 Cryogenic Filling System by SAG – Innovation made in Austria

The Salzburg Aluminium Group has set an important milestone in the direction of “Green Mobility” with the cryo-tank system for LH2 developed in Austria. The system is constructed as a double-walled, vacuum-insulated stainless steel tank. A special valve system designed for extremely low temperatures enables safe refuelling and reliable supply of hydrogen to the fuel cell.

Thanks to its high energy density, liquid hydrogen (LH2) is particularly suitable for use in trucks on long-distance journeys. Only recently, at the Daimler Truck #HydrogenRecordRun, the fuel cell-powered GenH2 truck managed to cover a distance of more than 1000 km under real conditions and with a payload of 40 t with only one tank load of 40 kg hydrogen. The record drive was made with sealed tanks and controlled mileage by TÜV Rheinland.

“We are very pleased that a range record was set with our LH2 cryogenic tank system in this long-distance test by Daimler Truck. After all, the record is also tangible proof that hydrogen-based drives can be an optimal and climate-friendly solution, especially for long-distance transport applications,” says Johannes Winklhofer, head of the SAG development department.

Karin Exner-Wöhrer, CEO of SAG, adds: “With the development of the LH2 tank system, we are opening up a new business field for SAG that holds great potential for the future and sets a milestone both in terms of our company’s technological leadership and in terms of environmental protection. With regard to achieving the EU climate targets, the entire supply chain and infrastructure urgently needs to be created.”

SAG: Global player with a local footprint in 7 countries and at 10 locations

The Salzburger Aluminium Group is an Austrian family-owned company with 1100 employees worldwide at 10 locations in Europe, Mexico, the USA and Canada. The headquarters of the company, which goes back to Salzburger Aluminium founded in 1898, is in Lend/Salzburg. Other SAG locations in Austria are Schwarzach/Pongau and Vienna. SAG has subsidiaries in the Netherlands, Slovakia, Spain, Mexico, the USA and Canada. As the market leader for aluminium tanks for heavy trucks, SAG is a global supplier to many well-known OEMs. Other products include lightweight components, air reservoirs, compressed air tanks and special components for the commercial vehicle, railway and special vehicle industries.

The company is a technology leader in the field of cryo tank systems for LNG & LH2 (liquid natural gas & liquid hydrogen) and a pioneer in the field of rheocasting (special casting process for aluminium components). The export ratio is over 90 percent. The turnover of the entire group of companies was around EUR 220 million in 2022.

As part of the GreenTech Awards 2022/23, SAG was awarded a special prize as “Leading Innovator” for the second time. This was prompted by the company’s numerous patents for innovations that make a significant contribution to climate protection.

Photos: Copyright Daimler Truck

Presse office:

SAG Salzburger Aluminium Group
Andrea Pfennigbauer
andrea.pfennigbauer@sag.at
+43 664 60650 2043
www.sag.at