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machinery manufactured . Equipment delivery and assembly at their facility in Kontich are scheduled for next year , with the production line expected to be operational before the end of 2024 .
Rulon ® polymers available in customised formulations and shapes
Prototyping in full swing , serial production in 2024
Drawing upon in-house expertise and R & D capabilities , Omniseal Solutions has developed new material formulations and cost-effective manufacturing processes suited for the latest and upcoming generations of alkaline and PEM electrolysers . As stacks produced by certain OEMs are increasing in power capacity , they require progressively larger gaskets . In support of this trend , Omniseal Solutions is developing single-piece , large-diameter polymer gaskets , with a maximum size exceeding two meters , which is larger than any sheet size currently available on the market . This poses not only a challenge from a manufacturability standpoint but also requires adequate production capacity to meet the growing demand .
The company already possesses the capabilities to respond to prototyping requests and produce some of these sizes at low volumes . This has allowed them to engage with OEMs even before making significant investments . The investments they are currently making are specifically tailored to match the expected industry-wide ramp-up in volume .
In terms of serial production , the company is at an advanced planning stage . The production line has already been designed , and they are currently collaborating with partners to have the necessary
Tailoring solutions hand-in-hand with OEMs
The vast majority of sealing solutions developed and supplied by Omniseal Solutions are customised to meet client specifications . This is why its team of design and application engineers is indispensable to the business , as is its expertise in materials and the ability to adapt the manufacturing process for each unique solution .
Mr . Yeterian elaborates : “ Once we have finalised the design , as long as the OEM continues producing the same stack model , we will continue supplying the same sealing solutions . In this sense , the hydrogen electrolysis segment operates more like serial production . However , when a project is initiated at the OEM and a new generation of electrolysers emerges from the design office , we work closely with them from the ground up to create solutions that align with their specific requirements . In many cases , we also have the flexibility to propose modifications that enhance the overall system ’ s efficiency . Our level of flexibility may vary , but our objective is to position ourselves as co-development partners , with the ultimate goal of problem-solving related to sealing and addressing all the challenges associated with gaskets and interfaces in this part of the system .”
Technology advantages : creating maximum value for clients
Developing a precision solution that meets both technical and durability requirements while remaining highly manufacturable and competitively priced is a delicate balancing act that Omniseal Solutions takes very seriously .
“ Our primary task is to thoroughly understand the application , which then allows us to select the
Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 12 | October 2023 13