Connecticut’s fuel cell companies are hoping to make a splash this week at one of the world’s biggest industrial innovation trade shows.
Hannover Messe, held in the German city of the same name, showcases all kinds of leading edge industrial technologies, attracting exhibitors from 70 countries.
Hydrogen and fuel cell is an important component of the show, and several Connecticut companies including North Haven’s Precision Combustion, Wallingford’s Dexmet, and U.S. Fuel Cell, based in South Windsor, will be there.
Joel Rinebold, who heads up the Northeast’s fuel cell industry cluster, NEESC, said 60 percent of the U.S. companies exhibiting in this sector are from our region.
“We believe we’ve got this market here in the Northeast, and we think that hub is right here in Connecticut, and we will be in a position to show this technology potentially to global partners that will look to buy it,” Rinebold said.
He said contacts made at the show often lead to deals and partnerships that will allow companies to expand their sales.
"Ultimately, our companies want to make solutions to export," said Rinebold. "We believe we’ve got the research and development, the manufacturing capability and we can make components that will solve their problems."
Two hundred thousand visitors are expected at Hannover Messe this week. The U.S. is the partner country this year, and the show is being opened by President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.