Continental Commissions New Facility in Korbach

Continental recently commissioned a new production line for hydrogen hoses at its location in Korbach. This means the company’s industrial group sector ContiTech is now able to offer safe and efficient solutions along the entire hydrogen value chain. These range from the production and transportation of hydrogen through to its storage, distribution and use in fuel cells and the refueling of cars, trucks, ships and aircraft.

Hydrogen is considered a key building block for a more climate-friendly energy future. However, the safe storage and transportation of hydrogen pose considerable challenges.

Novel combination of materials helps meet extreme hydrogen requirements
High-pressure fueling hoses for hydrogen must be able to withstand extreme loads of up to 700 bar – more than 200 times the pressure in a car tire. This high compressive strength enables use in areas that are crucial for hydrogen industries. To meet these requirements, Continental’s material experts have developed a new veneer hose using an unusual combination of various materials. This hose consists of thermoplastics to ensure hydrogen tightness, steel for pressure resistance and rubber for flexibility and durability, making the handling of hydrogen at dispensing stations efficient and safe.

During the development phase, care was also taken to use as many sustainable materials as possible. The inner hose is free from halogenated plastics, and the metal reinforcement is completely recyclable. The company is working in the long term to integrate even more alternative materials and recycling approaches into its products.




Tech Center, production, and testing facilities: ContiTech invests strategically
To meet the particularly stringent and increasing testing requirements of hydrogen technology, the company is planning to make further investments in extensive testing facilities at the location in Korbach over the next three years. This will involve upgrading existing systems and procuring new test benches to cope with even higher pressures.

With solutions such as hydrogen bunkering hoses and high-pressure hydrogen hoses, the company is making a significant contribution to the safe and efficient use of hydrogen as an energy source and is actively promoting the energy transformation. These measures are in line with Continental’s sustainability ambitions to achieve 100% carbon neutrality, 100% emission-free mobility and industry, a 100% circular economy and 100% responsible value chains by 2050 at the latest.