Together with its tailor-made epoxy system designed by Sika Advanced Resins, who is one of the leaders in the development and production of high-performance resins, the tank helps to reduce pollution in urban traffic. The tank, which contains up to 320 litres is the same size as a conventional diesel fuel tank.
"We have been innovating together for more than 10 years. Sika Advanced Resins has developed a specific resin for our new range of high-pressure tanks. This high-performance resin can be adapted to all design constraints, particularly for our very high-pressure hydrogen tanks, up to 700bar," explained Ullit founder and CEO Claude Hembert.
Sika Advanced Resins has used its expertise to develop a tailor-made resin to withstand the cyclic pressurisation loads on the filament wound tanks. In combination with carbon fibre the resin provides mechanical resistance for different tank shapes including those for vehicles running on natural gas.
"The tank is placed in the same place as a diesel fuel tank and avoids the need for transformations in trucks. In addition, Ullit-Sika composites reduce the weight of the tank by a factor of four, a huge benefit when we estimate that one tonne saved on a truck saves four litres of fuel per 100km in urban traffic," explained Patrick Noirclerc, local expert composites at Sika Advanced Resins.
A recent study shows that the use of vehicles running on natural gas rather than diesel or gasoline helps considerably to reduce pollution. For CNG engines the study indicates a 75-90% decrease in fine particles and nitrogen oxides. CO2 emissions are 7-16% lower which reduces the noise of an engine by 50%.
Resins innovation by Sika Advanced Resins combined to Ullit’s high-pressure tank is supporting this environmental approach.
"Our Business Unit increases its know-how in the formulation of high-performance epoxy and polyurethane resins. We provide adapted solutions for the specific needs of our customers. With our 11 entities and 6 R&D technical centres worldwide, we develop customised solutions to meet the needs of our industrial customers. We support them at every stage of their products development to bring innovative solutions," said Patrick Blosse, international sales director at Sika Advanced Resins.
