Airgas Inc. and Nuvera Fuel Cells Inc. are working together to build a hydrogen infrastructure to power the North American material handling market.

Under the five-year marketing, sales and service agreement, Nuvera will manufacture PowerTap hydrogen generators and stations, and Airgas will provide distribution, installation, monitoring and maintenance of the equipment, as well as backup hydrogen, at customer sites. 

PowerTap is a hydrogen generator and hydrogen station, part of the Nuvera Total Power Solution that includes PowerEdge, a fuel-cell hybrid system that replaces standard, lead-acid batteries in material handling equipment such as lift trucks. The PowerTap generator uses steam reformation technology to produce hydrogen from natural gas.

“or customers who want to increase productivity while reducing their environmental impact, this sustainable technology lowers CO2 emissions while eliminating more costly, resource-intense battery installations and disposal,” says Peter McCausland, chairman and chief executive officer at Airgas. “By combining Nuvera’s technology and manufacturing expertise with Airgas’ nationwide distribution capability, we’re able to provide the lowest total cost energy solution for these customers.”

McCausland adds that Airgas will provide lease and maintenance programs for PowerTap systems to help customers avoid upfront capital costs.