**Athis-Mons, France**: STEF Group launches two hydrogen projects at its distribution centres in France and Spain, enhancing productivity and sustainability in material handling operations as part of its Moving Green climate initiative, aiming for 100% low-carbon energy by 2025.
STEF Group, a prominent European leader in the transport and logistics services for temperature-controlled food products, has initiated two groundbreaking hydrogen projects in collaboration with Toyota Material Handling Europe and Plug Power. These projects, situated at STEF’s distribution centres in Athis-Mons, France, and Torrejón de Ardoz, Spain, represent a significant advancement in the integration of hydrogen technology in material handling operations.
The launch of these hydrogen projects comes as part of STEF’s Moving Green climate initiative, which aims to utilise 100% low-carbon energy in all its buildings by the end of 2025. The integration of hydrogen fuel cell technology into the operations at these locations is expected to not only enhance productivity but also contribute to environmental sustainability.
In particular, the French site in Athis-Mons will employ green hydrogen that is produced using renewable energy and delivered directly to the facility. In contrast, the Spanish site will utilise an electrolyser that generates hydrogen on-site by separating water into hydrogen and oxygen, powered by a 2.9 MWp photovoltaic rooftop plant. This allows for the consumption of locally produced green hydrogen.
The benefits of hydrogen fuel cells are substantial. According to the announcement, hydrogen-powered forklifts are anticipated to significantly enhance operator productivity, with the ability to refuel in under three minutes, thus minimising downtime associated with traditional lead-acid battery changes. The operational conditions at STEF, ranging from -18°C to +4°C, suit hydrogen fuel cells particularly well. Furthermore, the longevity of hydrogen fuel cells, which last approximately a decade—double the lifespan of conventional batteries—adds to their appeal.
As part of this collaboration, Toyota Material Handling Europe, a historical supplier to STEF, will provide a range of fuel cell-ready forklifts tailored to the specific operational needs at each of the distribution centres. Toyota currently services 6,000 forklifts for STEF across Europe, and this new initiative will see the introduction of 48 forklifts in Athis-Mons and 67 in Torrejón de Ardoz.
Plug Power, recognised for its comprehensive hydrogen solutions, including fuel cells and hydrogen infrastructure, is tasked with deploying its GenKey ecosystem at both STEF sites. This includes hydrogen fuel cells, the associated infrastructure, and green hydrogen supply alongside ongoing maintenance services. Plug has positioned an electrolyser at the Torrejón de Ardoz site to produce hydrogen on site, marking a significant move towards sustainable logistics in the food supply chain.
This strategic collaboration between STEF, Toyota Material Handling Europe, and Plug Power not only enhances operational efficiencies but also aligns with the growing trend towards sustainable practices within the logistics and material handling sectors. It serves as a noteworthy example of how companies are leveraging innovative technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote environmentally responsible logistics solutions.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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