Author: rusty

News:

Luxfer Celebrates 125 Years of Innovation

“It all started with a light…”

This year, Luxfer welcomes its 125th anniversary with a celebration of innovation spanning back to 1885. The story began on February 17, 1885, in Boston, Massachusetts, when British-born inventor and entrepreneur James G. Pennycuick received a USA patent (No. 312,290) for prismatic glass tiles. In his patent application, Pennycuick described his product as “an improvement in window-glass.” His invention included molding a series of triangular ridges to one side of a four-inch-square glass tile, thus creating prisms that would refract sunlight into dark spaces. He named his light-bearing invention “Luxfer”—from the Latin term “lux” which means light, and from “ferre” which means to carry or bear.

Between 1885 and 1897, Pennycuick was granted several patents and after operating under a few different business names, Pennycuick founded the Luxfer Prism Company in April 1897 in Chicago, Illinois.

Fast forward to 1920, Charles Ball MC, DSO recognized the emerging potential of a new metal, magnesium, while working for British manufacturer F. A. Hughes. He contracted with the German company, I. G. Farben (part of Griesham Elektron®), which pioneered the electrolytic process that allowed magnesium to be produced in commercial volumes, to become the sole importer of magnesium in the UK.

In 1935, the company’s name was changed to Magnesium Elektron Limited, and a new magnesium production plant was established at Clifton Junction in North Manchester, England with an initial capacity of 1,500 tonnes per annum.

Luxfer Graphic Arts originally formed part of Magnesium Elektron Limited. In 1936, at the Clifton Junction facility in Manchester, England, Luxfer Graphic Arts began manufacturing and supplying lightweight magnesium sheet and plate, as well as other magnesium products for use in the Graphic Arts industry.

Five years later in 1941, Luxfer Gas Cylinders was founded, having produced the world’s first hot-extruded seamless aluminum cylinder. To supply mortar shell casings and rocket bodies for bazookas during the Korean War (1950-1953), Luxfer Gas Cylinders introduced a new process named cold-indirect extrusion, an engineering milestone that would soon change the course of the company’s history.

During World War II, Magnesium Elektron Limited (MEL) maintained a significant level of research work, leading to important advances in alloy technology, including the alloying of magnesium with zirconium. This development came at an ideal time, as the improved properties of magnesium and zirconium alloys at high temperatures were ideal for the growing aircraft industry.

Expanding on their decade-long experience hoop-wrapping cylinders with fiberglass for higher pressure applications, Luxfer introduces high-pressure, even lighter-weight composite cylinders fully wrapped with fiberglass (and later Kevlar®). These products prove to be particularly well suited for firefighter SCBA kits, as well as for first responder life-support applications, including oxygen containment.

To commemorate its 10th anniversary of public listing, Luxfer rang the closing bell of the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday, September 6, 2022. Andy Butcher, Chief Executive Officer, joined by Luxfer’s Board of Directors and executive leadership team, presided over the closing bell ceremony at the NYSE to celebrate the occasion.

Today, the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation that characterized Luxfer’s early history is still very much a part of the company’s culture today. Several new products are on the drawing board that will help Luxfer continue “setting the standard worldwide.” As we continually innovate and adapt to new technologies, our core values – customer first, innovation, accountability, integrity, personal development, and teamwork – serve as a threshold for success.

Luxfer Group, comprised of four business units: Luxfer MEL Technologies, Luxfer Graphic Arts, Luxfer Magtech, and Luxfer Gas Cylinders, lists on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the trading symbol LXFR.

News:

Alternative fuel experts from Luxfer join Europe

Leaders and changemakers from the hydrogen sector will be attending this year’s Hydrogen Europe Flagship Event and Expo, with experts from Luxfer Gas Cylinders attending the October event following a whirlwind six months of alternative fuel successes.

The team made history this summer thanks to a Luxfer hydrogen fuel system featuring on the UK’s first mass-produced hydrogen-electric truck, in partnership with Tevva Hydrogen Electric Trucks. The 7.5 tonne HGV is the first hydrogen fuel cell-supported truck to be manufactured, designed and mass-produced in the UK.

Manufacturer Tevva adapted its battery-electric HGV design, with support from Luxfer, to accommodate a hydrogen fuel cell system that tops up the battery and extends the range of the truck to 310 miles (500km).

Luxfer also played an essential role in bringing a hydrogen-electric minibus to market in spring. The most fuel efficient and quickest to refuel vehicle of its kind in the world, the eight-metre, 21-passenger H2Bus produced by Slovakian innovators Mobility & Innovation, features a complete alternative fuel system designed and supplied by Luxfer.

Containing four of the company’s G-Stor® H2 cylinders alongside valves and regulators, the system was provided in a ‘ready to assemble’ kit. Requiring just 10.5 kilograms of hydrogen to achieve more than 400 kilometres of range, the H2Bus contains a hydrogen fuel cell system and electric motor.

In recognition of its achievements, Luxfer was named a finalist in two prestigious awards - the World Hydrogen 2022 Awards, organised by the Sustainable Energy Council (SEC) and The Energy Awards in the Physical Technology of the Year: Oil, Gas and Fuel Cell category. It is also a finalist in the International Trade category of the East Midlands Business Masters Awards, with winners due to be announced in October 2022.

Being held at the Brussels Expo Hall from 25 to 27 October 2022, the Hydrogen Europe Flagship Event & Expo is part of European Hydrogen Week (24-28 October). Welcoming guest speakers including ‘policy decision makers, industry representatives and experts across the hydrogen value chain’, the event will have an exhibition area as well as high-level business-to-business conference.

Mark Lawday, Vice President and General Manager of Luxfer Europe, said: “After such a rewarding year we’re looking forward to the event, with the ambition of connecting with like-minded organisations who are leading the charge in hydrogen applications, hearing more about future trends, joining lively debates on the sector and sharing our insights on innovations coming to market that we’re proud to be a part of.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

Luxfer Gas Cylinders will be located in the centre of the exhibition, at booth 42.

About Luxfer Gas Cylinders

Luxfer Gas Cylinders (www.luxfercylinders.com) is a leading manufacturer of high-pressure composite and aluminium cylinders. More than 70 million Luxfer cylinders in service around the world have an exemplary record for dependability and safety in a variety of applications, including firefighter and first-responder life support, medical, fire extinguishers, alternative fuel, specialty gas, beverage, aerospace, inflation, SCUBA and performance racing. An operating company of Luxfer Holdings PLC (NYSE:LXFR), Luxfer Gas Cylinders is based in Riverside, California, and has manufacturing facilities in the U.S., England, Canada, and China. For more information on Luxfer Gas Cylinders visit: https://www.luxfercylinders.com/.

Issued on behalf of Luxfer Cylinders by The Tonic Communications. For more information contact luxfer@thetoniccomms.co.uk or call 0115 8248254.

News:

Luxfer and CMB mark 15-year milestone

Planet-friendly solutions that will help decarbonise the marine industry are becoming a reality, thanks to a 15-year collaboration between Luxfer Gas Cylinders and international shipping and logistics giant CMB (Compagnie Maritime Belge).

Gas storage pioneer Luxfer has been supplying its high-performance Type 3 alternative fuel cylinders to CMB since 2007. In total, hundreds of cylinders have helped the firm to bring to fruition prototypes and early proof of concept hydrogen systems that can power a range of marine vessels and on-road vehicles.

Fast forward 15 years and Luxfer experts are behind the hydrogen fuel storage solution in the world’s first hydrogen-powered Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV), brought to market by Windcat Workboats and CMB.TECH (the cleantech division of CMB).

Launched in May 2022, the Hydrocat 48 is a ground-breaking vessel, meeting demand from wind farm operators to be as green as possible by reducing the emissions of their daily operation.

It is estimated that the CTV can reduce up to 80% of its traditional fuel usage and associated emissions through the application of dual fuel technology, as a stepping stone towards 100% hydrogen technology.

The Hydrocat 48 features a 27-cylinder dual fuel system. With 207kg of hydrogen stored onboard, the vessel can transport 26 industrial personnel and has a refuel time of 30 minutes.

Roy Campe, CTO of CMB.TECH, explains: “For us, hydrogen is a necessary technology, as batteries are too heavy and we don’t have the space for it on high speed crafts such as CTVs. The dual fuel platform, which we have developed together with MAN, allows us to use the clean fuel, while we can still rely on the proven diesel technology. The dual fuel approach is cost-effective and robust, and this is a necessity to operate in our market.

“Even if hydrogen is not available, the vessel can continue to run on traditional fuel, making it a very robust and reliable solution for the offshore wind industry. With dual fuel technology, you can start saving emissions today, while still being able to rely on the existing diesel technology platform. It is the ideal transition technology and is here to stay for many years in the heavy-duty segment such as transport.”

Keith Croysdale, business development manager at Luxfer, adds: “CMB.TECH required high pressure onboard hydrogen storage to deliver sufficient range to the vessels they were developing, and turned to Luxfer based on our 80-year legacy in gas storage and unrivalled product quality.

“It’s great to work with a like-minded organisation that is pioneering in the use of hydrogen, with cost-effective solutions that will wean the market from fossil fuels to clean gas. We support their unique approach to making the waterways zero emissions – and while this won’t happen overnight, companies making significant strides to reduce carbon, like CMB.TECH, will change the marketplace for the better.”

Luxfer’s alternative fuel expertise has made possible a raft of world-first hydrogen transport projects. These include the UK’s first retro-fitted hydrogen trains, HydroFLEX 1&2, the world’s first commercial hydrogen truck fleet with Hyundai, the world’s first hydrogen tractor, 70 hydrogen double-decker buses operating across the UK, including Aberdeen and London, and Energy Observer – the world’s first self-powered sailing boat.

News:

Compressed natural gas, the gateway fuel to greene

For the past 25 years, it has become the ‘go-to’ choice for many authorities – powering municipal vehicles such as school buses, delivery vehicles and refuse trucks in North America. Popular with some car manufacturers in select parts of Europe too, bus operators on the continent have been quick to recognise its benefits with thousands of CNG buses currently in operation in countries including the UK, Italy, Spain, Turkey and France.

An essential driving force

Luxfer has not only witnessed the ascent of the fuel first-hand, but has played an important role in creating and supplying CNG fuel systems to our transport partners, featuring our lightweight G-Stor™ Pro Type 3 or our G-Stor™ Go Type 4 carbon composite cylinder technology.

With CNG projects comprising 50% of Luxfer’s alternative fuel business in Europe today - and around 90% in North America - there are clear benefits of using compressed natural gas in transportation. These include:

• 20% less emissions than diesel

• Quick refuelling times

• 30% cheaper than petroleum products

• More durability – CNG buses can run for 15 to 20 years before needing upgrades

• Reduced infrastructure barriers, as CNG can be taken from local gas networks

• Manufacturing CNG-powered vehicles can be less expensive compared to other cleaner fuel specifications

• The maturity of the sector means there is good understanding of the fuel

• A stable gas – no volatility when in use

• In natural abundance in some areas including North America, Russia and Azerbaijan – making it any obvious solution

• CNG created from biomethane is sustainable and environmentally friendly

A proud past that shapes the future

Our 20-year legacy in compressed natural gas means that Luxfer has an established position within the alternative fuel sector. By being part of the very first conversations about how the gas could and should be used in transport systems, we have helped shape policy, developed new innovations and delivered solutions. Now, we are a safe and trusted partner when OEMs need advice on new project builds or retrofits.

As a pioneer in the space, our experts have also learnt many valuable lessons from CNG, which have directly informed how we manage the hydrogen projects we’re involved with today. Because hydrogen is a fledgling area, there is still so much to learn. That’s where our history helps. Drawing from decades of expertise, Luxfer’s engineering teams lead and improve performance, push the boundaries for technological capabilities and increase value for customers.

A transition fuel

With a very valid and established position in powering transportation, we consider CNG as something of a transition fuel. One that is greener and cheaper than traditional petroleum products and has opened manufacturers’ and authorities’ eyes to the possibilities of utilising cleaner alternatives.

We know the potential of hydrogen as the cleanest option on the market, but we also acknowledge that some organisations aren’t yet ready to overcome the inherent challenges it brings, such as infrastructure issues, increased investment costs and a lack of global knowledge on the gas.

However, as a gateway fuel, CNG offers the best of both worlds, and over the next five to ten years we believe it will be instrumental in encouraging commercial vehicle manufactures and operators to explore cleaner and greener fuels, such as hydrogen and renewable natural gas.

Latest trends suggest the global CNG vehicles market will rise at a considerable rate and will be worth more than $48340 million by 2028.

Making CNG more environmentally friendly

Defined as a green source of energy, biomethane is a naturally occurring gas produced by the anaerobic digestion of organic matter such as dead animal and plant material, manure, sewage and organic waste.

Also known as renewable natural gas (RNG), biomethane makes CNG-powered vehicles the cleanest ever by directing harmful gases, which would have gone into the air, into vehicle systems. The impact is lower water, soil and air pollution.

Sweden is one country already effectively using biogas and biomethane across its road network – with ambitions for completely fossil-free transportation by 2030. No country in the world uses as much biogas in road transport as Sweden does. Currently over half of their gas vehicles are fuelled by biogas (over half of the biogas is upgraded to biomethane) and the rest by natural gas. Their ambition is to completely phase out the use of natural gas over the next eight years.

Another country that is leading the charge with biomethane is France. French firms Waga Energy and Veolia announced in spring 2022 that they have commissioned the largest biomethane production system in France. The Claye-Souilly facility, near Paris, will be capable of producing 120 GWh of renewable natural gas (RNG) each year. Injected directly into the gas network, that’s enough energy to power 20,000 households.

For more information about Luxfer’s alternative fuel expertise, visit www.luxfercylinders.com/products/alternative-fuel or contact us now.

News:

Hydrogen Refuse Trucks

Leading hydrogen storage systems pioneer Luxfer Gas Cylinders is helping to power a fleet of zero-emission refuse trucks - created by Netherlands and Belgium-based sustainable vehicle manufacturer E-Trucks Europe – in an innovative partnership, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) produced during waste collection.

The 10-strong fleet is currently being used in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, where all waste collection vehicles must be zero-emission by 2030.

Founded in 2010, E-Trucks initially designed and built electric trucks for collecting refuse. However, the six-hour lifespan of electric batteries led designers to consider hydrogen fuel, enabling the vehicles to operate for far longer. Depending on the size of the hydrogen tank, which can be 15, 20 or 30kg volume, the trucks can run for two days before requiring refuel.

It is estimated that each hydrogen refuse truck makes a saving of 30,000kg of CO2 each year – the equivalent of 18 return flights between London and New York .

The partnership between E-Trucks and Luxfer began in 2013, when the transport company consulted Luxfer on its proof of concept hydrogen vehicle. E-Trucks’ first three hydrogen waste collection trucks were built in 2018; it now runs a fleet of 10 hydrogen waste collection vehicles. This includes its new hydrogen truck rental programme, H2RenT2 – each powered via Luxfer’s hydrogen cylinders.

E-Trucks Europe integrates its fully hydrogen-electric drive train into a truck chassis with superstructure according to the operator’s specifications.

André Beukers, CEO, E-trucks said: “Luxfer has played a big part in helping to bring our initial vision to life. We consulted them because they were the only company in Europe building hydrogen storage tanks for mobility use, that had European certification.

“We design the frames for the hydrogen cylinders, and in collaboration with Luxfer, they make the hydrogen tanks in the frames and fit them. It’s been a great, easy working partnership from the outset, and now we’ve worked together for a number of years, it’s always a very straightforward process to achieve results.

“We’ve recently built our first truck for our new rental service, which is really exciting, as it enables operators who might be considering investing in hydrogen solutions to ‘try before they buy’ - letting them see how hydrogen can work for them, ahead of making the financial commitment. Our aim for H2RenT is to make hydrogen solutions more accessible, which is essential if hydrogen is to be used to its full potential across the transportation industry.

“We’re looking forward to working with Luxfer to explore new possibilities as the market grows further in the coming years.”

Jim Gregory, European Business Development Manager, Luxfer Gas Cylinders added: “It’s fantastic to see the results of our work with E-Trucks Europe, and we’re proud to play a part in the positive impact their vehicles are making in Europe. Conversions like theirs allow the hydrogen infrastructure to be tested and for demand to grow at a sustainable rate – they’re vital to the hydrogen economy. We’re excited to see E-Trucks Europe’ innovation in practice, as interest in hydrogen vehicle evolves even further.”

Luxfer Gas Cylinders is a gas storage pioneer – drawing from an 80-year legacy in gas cylinder production to drive alternative fuel solutions. Its expertise helps move governments closer to net zero carbon targets and is at the forefront of several world-first hydrogen transport projects, including the UK’s first retro-fitted hydrogen trains, HydroFLEX 1&2, 70 hydrogen double-decker buses operating across the UK, including Aberdeen and London and Energy Observer – the world’s first self-powered sailing boat.

1 https://www.wired.co.uk/article/airline-emissions-carbon-footprint

2The Project "H2Rent" – stands for: Hydrogen (H2)REiNigingsTrucks. This project is made possible by the Demonstration regulation Climate Technologies and Innovation in Transport (DKTI-Transport ) from RVO (Rijksdienst Voor Ondernemend Nederland) and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management with reference: DKTI119003

ENDS

About Luxfer Gas Cylinders

Issued on behalf of Luxfer Cylinders by The Tonic Communications. For more information contact luxfer@thetoniccomms.co.uk or call 0115 8248254.

About E-Trucks Europe

E-Trucks Europe was established in 2010 by André Beukers. Since 2019, it has operated from two locations: Lommel, Belgium and Westerhoven, The Netherlands. Research, development and production takes place in Belgium.

The H2RenT project stands for ‘Hydrogen (H2)REiNigingsTrucks’. The project is made possible by the Demonstration regulation Climate Technologies and Innovation in Transport (DKTI-Transport) from RVO (Rijksdienst Voor Ondernemend Nederland) and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, with reference: DKTI119003.

News:

UK’s first hydrogen-electric truck – featuring Luxfer

Milestone for hydrogen mobility, as HGV is first of its kind manufactured, designed and mass produced in the UK

Alternative fuel experts at Luxfer Gas Cylinders are celebrating the launch of the UK’s first mass produced hydrogen-electric truck, in a historic milestone that is the result of a partnership between the Nottingham-based firm and fellow pioneers, Tevva Hydrogen Electric Trucks.

The 7.5 tonne HGV is the first hydrogen fuel cell-supported truck to be manufactured, designed and mass produced in the UK.

It features a ‘plug and play’ hydrogen storage system, which was designed and built in collaboration with Tevva engineers and a team of alternative fuel specialists at Luxfer’s Nottingham HQ, over a period of three months.

With support from Luxfer engineers, manufacturer Tevva has adapted its battery-electric HGV design to accommodate a hydrogen fuel cell system that tops up the battery and extends the range of the truck to 310 miles (500km). It opens up the zero-emissions solution to a range of fleet operators, offering a truck that can carry heavier loads over longer distances.

Jim Gregory, European Business Development Manager at Luxfer Gas Cylinders, explains: “We were approached by Tevva in October 2020 because they were looking for a partner that focuses on safety and innovation, could meet their supplier code of conduct ethos, and has a shared vision to help make hydrogen the accessible and sustainable clean fuel of today.

“The system - designed using three of our G-Stor® H2 cylinders - was fit for purpose and could be slotted into their existing structure seamlessly.

“This solution offers the best of both worlds, and we’re hugely proud to have been involved in bringing the concept to fruition in what is a landmark launch, showcasing how the UK is leading the way in hydrogen technology.”

A Tevva REX Team spokesperson commented: “The team at Luxfer Gas Cylinders has been a great support to us from our initial prototype work to this milestone of launching our first hydrogen electric truck. We look forward to continuing to work with Luxfer as we make further improvements to the design of the bespoke hydrogen storage system ahead of the 7.5T hydrogen electric vehicle entering production.”

Luxfer has an 80-year legacy in gas containment and has a specialist - and expanding - alternative fuel facility at its Colwick, Nottingham base. It is responsible for supplying hydrogen storage systems to international customers across the transport sector.

Thanks to Luxfer’s unique liner-processing technology, its cylinders are among the highest-capacity, fastest to refill and lightest Type 3 alternative fuel cylinders in the world, making them ideal for heavy-duty trucks, refuse vehicles, buses, trains and bulk gas transportation modules.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of Luxfer Cylinders by The Tonic Communications. For more information contact luxfer@thetoniccomms.co.uk or call 0115 8248254.

About Luxfer

One of the world’s largest manufacturers of lightweight high pressure cylinders, Luxfer Gas Cylinders is a trusted partner to deliver bespoke alternative fuel solutions, and is a member of the Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA) and the UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (UKHFCA).

Luxfer Gas Cylinders is a leading manufacturer of high-pressure composite and aluminum cylinders. More than 70 million Luxfer cylinders in service around the world have an exemplary record for dependability and safety in a variety of applications, including firefighter and first-responder life support, medical, fire extinguishers, alternative fuel, specialty gas, beverage, aerospace, inflation, SCUBA and performance racing.

An operating company of Luxfer Holdings PLC (NYSE:LXFR), Luxfer Gas Cylinders is based in Riverside, California, and has manufacturing facilities in the U.S., England, Canada, and China.

Luxfer Gas Cylinders is a trusted partner to deliver bespoke alternative fuel solutions, and is a member of the Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA) and the UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (UKHFCA).

www.luxfercylinders.com

About Tevva

“We do technology because it matters and makes a difference to humanity.”

Tevva is an electric truck company with a spectrum of options for zero-emission medium to heavy-duty trucks. Our revolutionary hydrogen fuel-cell range extension technology allows our vehicles to do all the work of a diesel, with total peace of mind about cost, range and environmental impact. Tevva is leading the drive to zero-emissions freight and urban logistics. We have vehicles on the road already, getting the job done, and are focused on optimising green hydrogen solutions as part of our proposition.

www.tevva.com

Media enquiries:

SEC Newgate

Ian Silvera (07703 846 164)

Email: Tevva@secnewgate.co.uk

News:

hydrogen-and-fuel-cells-luxfer

Ministers, academics, industry leaders and green energy innovators, including alternative fuel experts from Luxfer - a main sponsor of the event, will come together at the end of June to explore the huge opportunity hydrogen presents in fighting climate change.

The 18th UK Hydrogen & Fuel Cells conference, which has been organised by Climate Change Solutions in partnership with the UK Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association, will commence with a virtual opening address from Greg Hands MP, the Minister of State for the Department for Business, Energy and Clean Growth.

Energy Minister Greg Hands said: “Hydrogen is the clean super-fuel of the future, and the UK is positioned to lead the world in this cutting-edge energy technology.

“We are developing hydrogen as a source of affordable homegrown power and a growing industry set to create thousands of jobs.”

A stellar line-up

Being held at the NEC Birmingham on Tuesday 28th June, the conference will feature over 30 guest talks and workshops from organisations including BP, Department of Transport, Jaguar Land Rover and BOSCH.

Discussions will span industry hot topics such as the challenges in delivering hydrogen products, hydrogen refuelling and how gas networks are preparing for the hydrogen economy.

Graham Cooley, CEO of ITM Power will lead his keynote talk on ‘The energy transition; a huge opportunity for the green hydrogen industry’.

He said: “In order to meet the predicted global demand for hydrogen we need to deploy over 3,500GW of electrolysis to reach net zero by 2050. To put that into perspective, that’s equivalent to thirty-five centuries of electrolyser production at our Gigafactory. Therefore, cross-industry collaboration will be vital to achieve these targets and decarbonise some of the world’s most carbon intensive industries – including refining, ammonia, chemicals, steel, haulage and maritime transport.

“Collaboration and key partnerships are fundamental to scaling up the industry en masse and getting green hydrogen to the applications that need it.”

New challenges to fuelling the hydrogen market

Luxfer’s European Business Development Manager, Jim Gregory, will also take to the stage to cover ‘New challenges to fuelling the hydrogen market.”

Jim said: “Making tangible progress to deliver the promise of hydrogen to decarbonise transport – one of the highest-polluting sectors - has never been more important. However, accessing hydrogen to refuel vehicles, whether they be buses, trucks, trains or boats, has proven difficult, due to the lack of infrastructure and vital investment into it.”

“Where no gas networks exist, bulk gas cylinder systems help meet demand by delivering hydrogen to where it is needed,” Jim added. “In our view, bulk gas transportation modules are the only hydrogen solution that is broadly viable.”

Set to launch later this year, the 40ft long units designed by Luxfer and called Multiple Element Gas Containers (MEGC), can transport 1.1 tonnes of hydrogen from the electrolyser plant to the point of use, in a safe and cost-efficient way.

Knowledge share and collaboration

With so many industry leaders and strategic thinkers under one roof at the conference, Luxfer is proud to be a sponsor of the event.

Jim continued: “It is so important within the alternative fuel sector that we work collaboratively rather than competitively, so together we can all achieve our net zero climate goals.

“Reducing our carbon footprints, eradicating our reliance on fossil fuels and paving the way for a greener future for the next generation have never been more essential. That’s why conferences like this are so meaningful. It’s through networking, sharing knowledge, building connections and debating the issues that we can better evolve our ideas, products and services and bring new and improved innovations to market.”

Visit Jim and the Luxfer team on stand 24 to take a look at a small scale H2 mobility system and to learn about our alternative fuel systems.

To register and find out more visit: https://www.climate-change-solutions.co.uk/event/hydrogen-and-fuel-cells-here-and-now/

News:

Musculoskeletal disorders are rising, and behind a

UK, 09 June 2022: Fire services could be losing an average of 25 staff days per year, for each team member affected by poor musculoskeletal health – thought to be around one in four firefighters.

Luxfer, the industry-leading manufacturer of lightweight, durable, high-performance SCBA cylinders investigated the prevalence and impact of MSK issues in a bid to help shape future innovations, with the weight of cylinders a key consideration.

Based on figures released to Luxfer by London Fire Brigade*, which has a workforce of over 5,500 operational staff:

In 2019, 26% of staff took sick leave due to MSK disorders.
During the period 2018-2021, staff each took off an average of 25 working days because of poor MSK health.
FIVE TIMES as many staff were absent from work between 2018 and 2021 due to MSK injury than mental health issues, such as stress, anxiety or depression.
However, while many more fire staff cite MSK problems for work absence, the average number of days off due to mental health sickness is much higher, on average 84 days in 2021 (compared to 22 days for MSK leave in 2021).
In 2021, 1,435 people took leave for MSK sickness and 257 for mental health sickness - both higher than the previous three years.
In the same year, MSK injury was so severe that it prompted six firefighters to seek ill health retirement.

Musculoskeletal injury refers to damage of muscular or skeletal systems and can affect bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons. At its most serious, the condition can cause pain so severe it is disabling, with those affected unable to perform daily tasks. Despite such significant prevalence of MSK sickness, little research exists in the UK on the topic, or around weight of SCBA cylinders as a factor.

It is an area of focus for Luxfer, with the manufacturer’s latest cylinder technology ECLIPSE™ Pro3 featuring a lightweight design that maintains the performance and quality required when breathing matters most. The innovative ECLIPSE™ Pro3 range is being showcased at Interschutz from 20 June 2022 in Hannover, Germany.

Mark Lawday, Vice President and General Manager at Luxfer Gas Cylinders, says: “The data we’ve unearthed shows that musculoskeletal injury is a big problem impacting firefighter health, and worryingly, it appears to be worsening.

“Given that the average professional firefighter's personal protective equipment weighs 75lbs (34kg), every weight saving helps. That’s why we offer a range that is up to 20% lighter than competitive aluminum lined (Type 3) SCBA cylinders.

“We manufacture over one million cylinders every year, which are safe to operate in the most extreme environments. Our team of designers and engineers are pioneering new technologies in gas containment, because we know minimising the weight burden on the back of the firefighter can make a positive difference to them, and the fire service as a whole.”

While conventional carbon composite SCBA cylinders use a full fiberglass overwrap, Luxfer ECLIPSE™ Pro3 features an advanced, high-strength aerospace-grade carbon wrap design, eliminating the need for this layer, without compromising strength, durability and safety.

A separate, small-scale study conducted by Luxfer** reinforced the scale of the problem posed by MSK disorders, reporting that:

80% of those polled have experienced an MSK issue
Almost half (46%) have been affected by an MSK issue for up to a year
The knee was the area of the body most impacted (cited by 55%) followed by lower limbs and back (both 45%), neck (36%) and upper limbs (27%).
Almost three in four (73%) said MSK pain has stopped them from carrying out normal daily activities
A musculoskeletal issue has caused reduced performance at work for 64% of firefighters who responded
An MSK problem had required 73% to take time off work

Find Luxfer at Interschutz 2022 in Hall 14, Stand JS6/1.

For further information on Luxfer’s SCBA range, visit: www.luxfercylinders.com/products/scba

ENDS

Issued on behalf of Luxfer Cylinders by The Tonic Communications. For more information contact luxfer@thetoniccomms.co.uk or call 0115 8248254.

Existing peer-reviewed research on the MSK health of firefighters includes:

A study in Poland where a 1 in 4 firefighters who became classed as disabled or who had to retire through ill-health cited musculoskeletal problems as the cause
In a US study, more than 40 per cent of injuries sustained during one year of research were caused by musculoskeletal issues.

* A FOI request reference 64441.1 received on 22 April 2022, London Fire Brigade

**Comprised of firefighters of whom 73% were aged 45-54, 93% male and 80% located in England. More than half (53%) had been in active service for more than 20 years, 27% for 10-20 years. Conducted in 2021.

News:

In an unstable world, Luxfer continues to deliver

Eric Savonitto, Business Development Manager for Western Europe, has been part of the Luxfer Gas Cylinders team for 15 years, amassing a wealth of knowledge on the components for high quality gas containment. In this blog, Eric looks at the impact on the industry of global shifts, such as supply chain disruption and rising operating costs, and how Luxfer is managing the challenges of the current landscape.

International events such as Brexit, the pandemic, economic uncertainty, rising energy costs and the Ukraine/Russia conflict have led to consequences that few industries have been fully shielded from.

However, Luxfer has remained steadfast in its commitment to quality, performance and safety, as a global supplier of high-pressure gas aluminium and composite cylinders.

Operating across many markets, from medical and healthcare, SCBA and life-support, to alternative fuel systems and more, we are committed to continuous improvement, empowering our team to deliver the very best in cylinder technology to customers, which includes the world’s leading gas companies.

A fast-changing marketplace

The energy crisis sweeping the globe has caused nuclear power developments to surge. With increasing concerns around climate change and air pollution, countries, regions and cities need specialty gases to monitor the atmosphere and as gas detection systems.

There is significant demand for specialty gases from China, as a key player in electronics manufacture, and also in South American countries, such as Mexico and Brazil, as well as Indonesia and India in Asia.

Global economies have experienced seismic shifts since 2020, and industries continue to grapple with the consequences. For Luxfer, we’re well-positioned to support our customers, as a trusted partner in the supply of high quality gas storage solutions that offer performance and long term cost savings.

Ensuring cylinder quality and efficiency

In order to store gases effectively and maintain the efficiency and quality over time, our customers can be confident of the integrity and robustness of a Luxfer cylinder. The internal surface chrematistics, oxide layer and the avoidance of contamination (including moisture) make Luxfer cylinders a ‘go to’ choice for high purity gas products.

So how do we deliver this industry leading internal finish? It is thanks to a powerful combination of factors, including specialist knowledge and expertise, process management and continuous improvement.

Luxfer has the equipment necessary to manufacture to this superior standard, with a highly-controlled process which interrogates every minuscule detail.

For example, we analyse:

the ingredients in the lubricants we use
the speed of the press as it ‘punches’ the billet into a cylinder shape
the purity of the water used for rinsing, which is changed after every batch
the material of the brushes that touch the internal walls.

Each of these elements will affect the product, and our attention to detail to optimise performance is one of Luxfer’s points of difference.

Perfect traceability of every single cylinderAnother important indicator of Luxfer quality is perfect traceability. Every single cylinder produced can be traced from the material we used to make it. If we identified a cylinder not meeting our standards in internal inspections, we can trace back to the start of the cylinder’s life and isolate each product to a cast and to the exact batch of alloy, and also to the supplier of the materials. Some gas companies have their own internal test centres and ask Luxfer, as one of their suppliers, to exceed international standards. If our cylinders could not meet these extra requirements, our products would not be as saleable. We’re confident in the performance of our products and so we welcome this high level of inspection and integrate it into our manufacturing process. It’s crucial that we know we can easily isolate any issues due to our robust traceability. Luxfer’s ‘secret recipe’ Many gas cylinder manufacturers may claim a ‘secret recipe’, but Luxfer is proud to be at the forefront of developing portable cylinders that can maintain unrivalled gas stability with excellent longevity. We can achieve this through combining our proprietary metallurgic expertise, with a complex manufacturing process that has been refined over decades.For most corrosive, aggressive and unstable mixtures, gas companies demand stability for three years. Thanks to our evolutionary processes, Luxfer can offer cylinders with a high-performance internal surface, which is critical to creating the environment that will ensure stability of gases over a long period of time. It is paramount for the specialty gas industry, where increasingly complex gas mixtures could contain 60 or more components, and need to be certified to purity levels of 99.999%. There is no room for compromise in such cases, especially when the monetary value of a filled 2 litre cylinder could exceed thousands of dollars. The cylinder must perform so it can protect that customer investment.Counting costsThe war in Ukraine has affected supply of aluminium from Russia, and this has meant rising prices. However this trend was established, with costs increasing over the past 18 to 24 months. Prices have more than doubled from the end of 2019 to today. The war will create further rarity of aluminium, exacerbating the situation.Luxfer charges are based on the London Metal Exchange and other indexes, so while no business welcomes price increases, our transparent pricing model means that our customers have full visibility, and they can adjust budgets as needed. Rising costs are an industry-wide challenge, but in terms of value, our customers are aware that with Luxfer they receive premium quality products.Guaranteeing purityWhile gas mixtures were measured in parts per-million (ppm) several years ago, it is now commonplace to measure in parts-per-billion (ppb) and even parts-per-trillion (ppt) – the margins are tiny.So, although the market is conservative, the demand for cylinders that can guarantee purity and quality is ever more present. Gases are becoming so complex it can take up to ten weeks to inject and mix different layers into the cylinder to ensure the most accurate mixture.Luxfer has experienced growing demand for ultra-high purity (UHP) gases, and in 2013 we launched our Superior Gas Stability (SGS) aluminum cylinders in the US as a premium option, with a high performance internal surface.What’s more, we completed a research project examining how we could improve our process to ensure we supply the finest speciality gas products on the market. We’re the only company across the globe to have initiated such a process, to my knowledge. The only way to measure improvement in quality is via micrographic analysis after manufacture, and it’s difficult to pinpoint with specific measurements the extent to which our cylinders are exceeding expectation of our customers, and the role of our process in that formula. This is why it’s so valuable that we follow a continuous improvement model, with controls after every individual phase of manufacture. It means we offer our specialty gas customers the best of the best.Our metallurgic expertise Metallurgical innovation – materials science and engineering – is part and parcel of Luxfer philosophy. Our customers who need to store rare, volatile and high-purity gases, such as in the manufacturing of semiconductors and other electronic products, benefit from a superior finish of our Type 1 cylinder, due to our L6X aluminum alloy. The L6X is part of the 6000 series, and we use the 6061 sub alloy for industrial applications because of its particular composition. Very small percentages of chemicals such as magnesium, calcium or copper are adapted, and make the 6061 sub alloy well suited to this market. Only a handful of companies can supply the quality of materials we need to produce our special recipe.Formulated in the 1990s to provide optimal durability, fracture toughness and improved tearing resistance, more than 40 million L6X cylinders are now in service in more than 50 countries. To find out more about Luxfer, visit: www.luxfercylinders.com/products/specialty-gas-cylinders

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INTERSCHUTZ 2022

Luxger Gas Cylinders will be exhibiting at INTERSCHUTZ 2022 in Messe Hannover, Germany. INTERSCHUTZ is the world’s leading trade fair for the fire and rescue services, civil protection, safety and security. INTERSCHUTZ will take place from 20 to 25 June 2022 at the Hannover Exhibition Grounds. Please visit Luxfer in Hall 014 Stand J26/1.

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Hydrogen and Fuel Cells – Here and Now 2022

Luxfer Gas Cylinders will be exhibiting at Hydrogen and Fuel Cells - Here and Now at the NEC in Birmingham, England. The event will be held on Tuesday 28th June 2022 08:30am – 18:00pm.

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Hydrogen Technology Expo Europe 2022

Luxfer Gas Cylinders will be exhibiting at the Hydrogen Technology Expo Europe in Messe Bremen, Germany. Hydrogen Technology Expo Europe is a solutions-driven forum that will discuss the development of new technologies to overcome these technical challenges and propel hydrogen into the mainstream for stationary and mobile applications. The event will be held 19-20 October 2022. Please visit Luxfer at Stand 8400.