On April 6, Tomoe Shokai (President: Sadao Fukao) signed an agency agreement for the domestic distribution with ILJIN Composites a Korean manufacturer of type-4 composite cylinders. Both companies are planning to enter the business in mutual cooperation to sell high-pressure hydrogen fuel tanks for FCV in the Japanese market from now on.

The Korean partner which the agreement was concluded is an affiliate of ILJIN a conglomerate headquartered in Jeonju, Korea, whose core business is composed of high-tech composite materials including metals and ceramics. The most recent total sales of the ILJIN group has amounted to 3 trillion won. The group is now carrying out extensive business activities in copper foils, seamless pipes, high-voltage power cables and transformers for the electric car industry. In Japan the group is known as the prominent manufacturer of artificial diamond for tools.

Five years ago the ILJIN group acquired KCR of Korean composite material manufacturer and established ILJIN Composites, which is a manufacturer specialized in type-4 composite cylinders. The 35/70MPa cylinder for FCV and the 20.7 / 24.8 / 25MPa cylinder for CNG vehicles at ambient pressure have already been commercialized.

As for the cylinder for FCV, an exclusive supply agreement was concluded with Hyundai Motor Company, who had employed it for “Tucson FCV” developed as the world first mass-production type FCV and put into the market in April 2013. The vehicle of large-type SUV specifications is priced at 85 million won, for which the Korean Government subsidizes 27.5 million won for introduction. It is loaded with two 70MPa cylinders with capacities of 37ℓ and 103ℓ.

The Type-4 Composite Cylinder is characteristic in that the unique winding technology saves the amount used of carbon fiber maintaining durability and low permeability. In addition, the strength of resin is enhanced by the employment of own-developed additives for the epoxy resin painted on the carbon fiber.

The adopted carbon fiber is made by Toray of Japan and supplied from Toray’s Gumi Plant in Korea. The hydrogen cylinder with a capacity of 103ℓ is certified by EU (EC-79) with the specifications of diameter of 539, sized 900 (mm) long and 84 kg in weight having a life expectancy of 20 years.

Tomoe Shokai and ILJIN Composites have formed partnership since one year ago, developing a type-4 accumulator and a pre-cooler for hydrogen dispensers. Tomoe Shokai’s aim for a business expansion to hydrogen infrastructures and ILJIN Composites’ target to sell its fuel tanks for FCV in the Japanese market have matched and resulted in the agreement this time.