H.C. Starck GmbH and Webasto AG signed a contract for the development, manufacture and marketing of stacks for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) in a joint company. The existing cooperation between these two companies started in 2003 and has now been significantly intensified through the foundation of the joint venture company, Staxera GmbH. The project is subject to approval from the responsible antitrust enforcement agency. The parties have agreed that H.C. Starck and Webasto will each take a 50% stake in the new company. Staxera will be based in Dresden and its CEO designate is Dr.-Ing. Christian Wunderlich, who has been responsible for developing the auxiliary power unit (APU) at Webasto. The objective of the cooperation is to develop SOFC fuel cell modules (stacks) to series production readiness for use both in automotive and stationary applications. Staxera will trade as an independent supplier of stacks and make its prototypes available both to Webasto and other system developers.

For additional information, visit http://www.hcstarck.com.