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Plastic Omnium announced this week that it plans to build the largest North American hydrogen storage manufacturing plant in Grand Blanc Township, MI, to supply a major American automaker. 

The company will design, develop, and produce high-pressure hydrogen storage systems for medium- and heavy-duty zero emissions mobility. In addition, a state-of-the-art validation and prototyping lab will be commissioned to ensure product safety and customer support. 

The total capital investment is expected to reach $170 million, with up to $7.4 million in funding from the Michigan Economic Development Cooperation, according to the news release. Genesee County and Grand Blanc Township also are committed to investing in needed infrastructure and workforce development. Plastic Omnium anticipates that the project will create approximately 175 high-tech manufacturing jobs.

The 200,000-square-foot plant, with an annual production capacity of up to 100,000 high-pressure hydrogen vessels, will be commissioned at the end of 2026 with the ambition of being 100% carbon neutral.

Plastic Omnium CEO Laurent Favre expressed enthusiasm about the launch of construction of the company’s first hydrogen mega-plant in Michigan, the heart of the US automotive industry. “This investment follows Plastic Omnium’s record $2 billion order from a major US automaker earlier this year, which confirms our leadership as a key technology partner for US sustainable mobility players,” said Favre.

Headquartered in Levallois-Perret, France, Plastic Omnium employs around 1,000 people in Michigan at facilities in Adrian, Huron and Detroit. It operates a global network of 150 plants and 43 R&D centers, and has a workforce totaling more than 40,000 employees.