PolyH₂Pipe: Plastic piping for hydrogen technology
Research findings, outlooks, and networking at the Technology Day on 18 November in Aachen
How can plastic media lines make electrolyzers and fuel cell systems more cost-effective, lighter, and industrially scalable? The PolyH₂Pipe collaborative project provides answers to this question.
At the Technology Day, the project partners will present their key research findings, discuss future challenges in hydrogen technology, and bring industry and research together to collaborate on new joint projects.
About PolyH₂Pipe
Electrolyzers and fuel cell systems place high demands on their fluid lines. These components must be able to withstand pressure, temperature, and hydrogen over the long term, while also being cost-effective to manufacture.
As part of the PolyH₂Pipe collaborative project, continuous-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic pipe systems were developed and validated for this purpose. The goal was to establish a technological foundation for high-performance plastic media lines suitable for large-scale production in the hydrogen economy.
The project partners developed
- Pipe systems made from cost-effective thermoplastics such as polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE),
- Manufacturing concepts using continuous-fiber-reinforced tape winding,
- Barrier layers to reduce hydrogen permeation,
- appropriate welding and bonding methods for plastic and hybrid joints, as well as
- Test methods for validation under real-world operating conditions.
The results show that plastic media lines are a promising approach for future hydrogen applications and may represent a cost-effective alternative for industrial systems.
Results at the PolyH₂Pipe Technology Day
Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2026,
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Location: IKV, Seffenter Weg 201, 52074 Aachen
Here’s why you should participate
Research meets application
The technology day offers you the opportunity
- to learn about the key findings of the PolyH2Pipe research project,
- to discuss current developments in hydrogen technologies with experts,
- to gain insights into future research and development topics,
- to establish new contacts with companies and research institutions and
- to develop ideas for joint research and development projects.
Exclusive: All conference participants will have the opportunity to attend the next H2 Business and Technology Forum meeting on 17 November 2026, free of charge on a one-time basis.
Hydrogen Technology Days: two events – one network
© IKVThe next H2 Business & Technology Forum meeting on 17 November and the PolyH2Pipe on 18 November complement each other perfectly. Together, these two events provide a platform for exchange among companies, research institutions, and users in the hydrogen economy.
Participants in thePolyH2Pipe Technology Daycan attend the forum’s next meeting once, free of charge. At the same time, the companies in the forum are invited to learn about the results of thePolyH2/sub>Pipe
Two days, one network—for greater collaboration, new partnerships, and joint innovations in the hydrogen economy.
Program
Research findings. Networking. New projects.
| Time | Title | Speaker |
| 9:30 a.m. | Welcome reception | |
| 10:00 a.m. | Welcome and introduction | |
| 10:15 a.m. | Keynote speech | TBA |
| 11:00 a.m. | Project Presentations, Part I | |
| Design and manufacturing strategies for TP composite pipe systems in hydrogen applications | Petar Peric, IKV | |
| welding processes for multimaterial composite pipes with a permeation barrier | Patricia Fatherazi, IKV | |
| 12:00 p.m. | Lunch break | |
| 1:00 p.m. | Project presentations, part II | |
| Bonding processes for plastic media lines for hydrogen applications | Maximilian Heym, ISF | |
| Validation of the H₂/O₂ permeation barrier in multimaterial composite tubes | Andreas Mielke, IKV | |
| Validation of the structural integrity of TP composite pipes for use in electrolyzers | Tam Nguyen, BAM | |
| 2:30 p.m. | Overview of funding formats and current funding programs | |
| 3:00 p.m. | Innovation pitches: partnerships in hydrogen | |
| 4:10 p.m. | Lab tour: hydrogen testing infrastructure established | |
| 5:10 p.m. | Closing ceremony and wrap-up |
Forschung-Live: Demonstrationen
© IKV- Permeation Test Rig: Test rig for evaluating the barrier properties of plastics and plasma barriers against hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen (Location: plasma laboratory)
- Coating Reactor: Application of a bonding agent and a diamond-like barrier layer to plastic tubes (Location: plasma lab)
- Socket Welding System: Producing quick and clean connectors for hydrogen-carrying pipelines (Location: FRP technical center)
- Test rig for the burst test stand (BAM): Burst and long-term testing of pipe segments and connecting elements in an operating environment up to 80°C and in a hydrogen atmosphere (Location: FRP technical center)
- Tested/Untested Pipe Components: Side-by-Side Comparison: Compare the stainless steel pipes with the newly developed media lines yourself (Location: FRP technical center)
Partnership in hydrogen: your ideas for tomorrow’s research
A special highlight ofthe PolyH2Pipe Technology Dayis the new matchmaking format, “Partnership in Hydrogen.”
In short innovation pitches, participants present their expertise, challenges, or ideas for future research and development projects in the field of hydrogen.
The goal is to initiate new collaborations and bring partners together for joint research.
There are seven slots available for the short presentations, each lasting six minutes. Allocations are made on a first-come, first-served basis.
© IKV