UFI Filters’ presence at the important Frankfurt exhibition highlighted, in addition to its established filtration technologies, the advanced green hydrogen solutions of NewCo UFI HYDROGEN
UFI Filters participated in Automechanika 2024, the most important international exhibition dedicated to the automotive aftermarket and automotive technologies, held at the Frankfurt Messe from 10th to 14th September, with a large stand in Hall 5.0.
The UFI Group aims to take an active role in the decarbonisation process, which is why it chose this event in the German city to present its technological innovations in the field of hydrogen for the first time at a European level.
Since 2017, in fact, the company has been designing and developing devices concerning issues related to filtration for the use of hydrogen in fuel cells. This research activity led to the establishment, in 2023, of NewCo UFI HYDROGEN, an Italian company of the UFI Group focused on the value chain of the hydrogen business.
UFI HYDROGEN‘s activities focus on the research, development and industrialisation of catalyst-coated membranes (MEA – Membrane Electrode Assemblies), which are fundamental for proton exchange membrane electrolysers (PEM – Proton Exchange Membrane). These membranes are intended for the electrolysis of water for the production of green hydrogen and also for its conversion into electricity by fuel cells, used in zero-emission mobility.
NewCo UFI HYDROGEN, moreover, is the only Italian company that is part of the IPCEI (Important Project of Common European Interest) Hy2Move programme, under which the European Commission supports projects that promote hydrogen mobility with state aid amounting to EUR 1.4 billion.
Different technological fields
UFI HYDROGEN‘s catalysed membranes have practical applications in various areas: in water electrolysers for the production of green hydrogen through renewable energy sources, in the conversion of hydrogen into energy in fuel cells, in the conversion of CO2 into e-fuel – for the powering of internal combustion engines (ICE), in electrochemical compressors for the storage of hydrogen reserves.
For future vehicles equipped with hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines, the UFI Group can supply air and oil filtration systems, heat exchangers, thermostatic valves and a range of new products. This new portfolio includes systems for crankcase ventilation, to lower the hydrogen concentration, and high-efficiency blow-by gas filtration, as well as hydrogen filtration systems and heat exchangers for heating the hydrogen before it is injected into the cylinders. Oil filtration in hydrogen-powered vehicles requires adaptation of technologies for which the UFI Group already has the know-how, with a range of filter media developed and produced in-house.
In the field of fuel cells, the UFI Group, through NewCo UFI Hydrogen, develops and supplies the aforementioned innovative Catalyst Coated Membranes (CCM), which are essential for Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysers (PEM).
Other components developed by UFI are the coolant deioniser, used in the cooling system of fuel cell vehicles to remove electrical charges such as ions and to maintain low conductivity of the coolant, and the cathode air filter.
The latter, identified as SUPER ADSORBER and intended for fuel cell OE applications, performs the dual function of solid particulate filtration and adsorption of gaseous contaminants; in fuel cells, air filtration is even more important than it is in combustion engines, because even minute quantities of gaseous particles can drastically reduce performance and durability.
This technology from the UFI Group has already found application in the first hydrogen-powered fuel cell car to be produced in China in 2023, the Changan Deep Blue SL03, equipped with a 55 kW fuel cell system capable of providing an average cycle range of 730 kilometres.
Other UFI prototypes, intended for OEM applications in the car, truck, bus and light commercial vehicle sectors, are currently being tested in several countries, with a view to series production scheduled between 2025 and ’26. The UFI Group is able to diversify its cathode air filters according to the needs of each individual engine: for this reason, the SUPER ADSORBER range includes filters of various sizes, both in cylindrical and panel format.
Filtration Solutions
In addition to new technologies, the UFI Group was also present at Automechanika 2024 with its own innovative filtration solutions, developed thanks to over fifty years of experience and offered for the aftermarket under the brands UFI Filters and SOFIMA Filter, and with those related to thermal management. In fact, the Group boasts an ‘OE pedigree’ recognised by 95% of existing automotive brands and by truck manufacturers representing 50% of world production.
During the course of the event, workshops were organised in connection with the UFI laboratories in Nogarole Rocca (VR) and the Innovation Centres, during which the activities of these companies were shown live on a large screen. Thanks to the live broadcast, participants had the opportunity to see how UFI air filters and thermal management systems are tested, to ask questions and to interact with technicians and engineers. This created a direct and immediate dialogue, which made the experience even more interesting and engaging.
The UFI Group, whilst at Automechanika Frankfurt 2024, therefore once again played a leading role in the field of cutting-edge technology.
