Bac2 diversifies cleantech materials portfolio and 
demand for fuel cell plates accelerates

Southampton, UK, February 9, 2010: Bac2, the cleantech materials company, has diversified its materials portfolio following a successful 2009 during which the company saw growing demand for its composite bipolar plates for fuel cell applications.

The ElectroPhen® family of low-cost conductive polymers, which can be cured at room temperature, has been expanded. The company’s growing experience with the material now enables it to produce mixes that are fine tuned to the requirements of specific applications. Conductivity, strength and operating temperature range are just three of the characteristics that can be adjusted. The inert and stable material can be formed into any mouldable shape including sheets and complex 3D structures. A version that is mechanically stable up to 200 degrees C has been developed.

A family of latent acid catalysts, collectively known as CSRxx, has also been developed. These enable pre-polymeric resins to be stored for months prior to controlled polymerization at around 120 degrees C. They are used in any application where pre-mix production is not carried out close to moulding operations. Here, CSRxx enables fast curing in a low-energy process. It saves time, reduces manufacturing and handling costs, cuts storage space, and improves safety in transportation. Polymer processing in chipboard and laminates manufacturing and during production of glass reinforced plastics, foam insulation and abrasives are just some of the applications.

Bac2’s bipolar plates for hydrogen and methanol fuel cells attracted over 20 new customers during 2009, despite the worldwide recession. The company is not only attracting interest in the automotive sector – the one normally associated with fuel cell development – but also from customers serving the telecommunications power industry and suppliers to a range of niche applications, such as fuel cells for powering remote sites and for the leisure industry.