Air Products — a leading industrial gases company based in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania — announced recently that it has partnered with Japan’s Suzuki Shokan Co. to work together on the design, construction and operation of hydrogen fueling stations for Japanese forklifts.
The purpose of the pact is to find ways to provide cleaner, more cost-equipment power systems for forklifts used in Japan, said Ed Kiczek, Air Products’ global business director.
“We have a great deal of experience supporting the material handling market with hydrogen fueling technology and related infrastructure,” Kiczek said. “This alliance with Suzuki Shokan is a tremendous opportunity to work with a recognized leader in the Japanese industrial gas market to serve the material handling industry in that region of the world.
“Japan’s keen interest in hydrogen fueling for the automotive market provides a natural extension to hydrogen fueling for material handling,” Kiczek added. “Working with Suzuki Shokan, we can meet the needs of this market.”
Yoji Koguchi, managing director in charge of Toyota Factory, said the alliance between the two companies was the first step toward a “hydrogen society”.
“Suzuki Shokan possesses hydorgen technology and know-how through a long history of supplying the hydrogen business,” Koguchi said, adding that many Japanese companies are seeking to phase out internal combustion and battery-powered forklifts.