KEY POINTS
- Nel secured a $12 million PEM electrolyser order.
- Collins Aerospace will use the stacks for US submarine life-support systems.
- Deliveries are scheduled for 2027 and 2028.
Norwegian hydrogen company Nel has secured a $12 million order from Collins Aerospace to supply proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyser stacks for life-support systems used on US submarines.
Nel Hydrogen US, the company’s American subsidiary, said the purchase order will see its PEM technology used to generate oxygen for submarine life-support systems.
The order strengthens Nel’s presence in the defence sector, where equipment used in critical applications must meet demanding requirements for reliability, durability and operational resilience.
Collins Aerospace, a major aviation and defence technology company, has worked with Nel for several years on oxygen-generation systems for submarine applications.
Nel Chief Commercial Officer Todd Cartwright said the new order extends the companies’ long-standing relationship and demonstrates the continued demand for the company’s PEM technology.
He said Nel’s Wallingford team in Connecticut has supplied the specialised technology for submarine applications over many years.
Deliveries planned through 2028
The $12 million order is expected to be delivered across 2027 and 2028.
The PEM electrolyser stacks will be manufactured at Nel’s facility in Wallingford, Connecticut, which has developed and produced equipment for specialised hydrogen and oxygen-generation applications.
PEM electrolysers use electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. In the submarine application covered by the order, the technology will be used to produce oxygen required for life-support systems.
The technology is particularly suited to applications where dependable operation is essential because submarines operate for extended periods in environments where access to outside air and other support systems is limited.
Nel expands defence technology role
The latest order adds to Nel’s work in defence-related applications and provides another commercial use for its electrolyser technology beyond conventional hydrogen production.
The company said the continued business from Collins Aerospace reflects confidence in its engineering capabilities and manufacturing capacity for specialised systems.
The order also gives Nel additional visibility on production activity at its US facility, with deliveries scheduled over a two-year period.
The company is positioning PEM technology for applications where long service life, reliability and consistent oxygen generation are important operational requirements.
