The localization of humidifiers is speeding up.

As one of the key components for fuel cells to work efficiently, the importance of humidifiers is self-evident. With the cost reduction of fuel cell systems extending to the upstream key components, the cost reduction of humidifiers has also begun to receive more and more attention. s concern.

"Compared with the degree of localization of air compressors, humidifiers still have a lot of room for improvement." The marketing director of a domestic fuel cell system company told Gaogong Hydrogen that the acceleration of the localization of humidifiers will benefit fuel cells. The cost reduction of the system provides more assistance.

In fact, more and more domestic companies have begun to compete in the domestic humidifier market that is about to expand. They have launched multiple models of products with advantages in price, supply, and service. Some of them have been mass-produced and are expected to be updated in the second half of the year. Orders from many domestic companies have begun to be released.

An emerging force in the field of domestic humidifiers is taking advantage of the rise.

The domestic humidifier camp continues to grow and develop

Due to the high technical threshold of humidifiers and the relatively small market capacity, for a long period of time, few domestic companies can truly commercialize humidifiers. This market has long been occupied by several international companies such as Cologne, Germany, Freudenberg, and Enfu Commercial, especially Cologne, South Korea, which is almost the only one.

With the rapid increase in the domestic fuel cell vehicle market and the breakthroughs of domestic enterprises in core materials and key processes, the original market structure of humidifiers is gradually being rewritten.

The first company to open up the localization of humidifiers was Shenzhen Extender Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Extender"). In 2017, Extender initially completed the development of the prototype of the 5-10kW gas humidifier; in 2018, the second-generation product of the 30kW gas humidifier was finalized. According to customer needs, the development of the gas humidifier above 80kW was started; in 2019 , The prototype of 80kW gas humidifier was developed, and the professional test platform for humidifiers within 120kW was built.

"In 2021, we will officially launch a 180kW humidifier, and will cooperate with customers to develop a 180~260kW 5.0 humidifier test bench to further improve Itendi's market influence and market share." Sales Director of Extender Yuan Yinzheng said that in the first half of 2021, the delivery volume of Extender humidifier has exceeded 1,500 sets, striving to exceed 5,000 sets throughout the year.

In addition to Extender, there are many domestic companies in the field of humidifiers. Since the beginning of this year, Mofang New Energy, Worui Hydrogen, Fuming Industrial, Luanniao Electric, etc. have all launched their own new humidifiers.

Wan Jing, deputy general manager of Cube New Energy, revealed that after the company’s first-generation humidifier product (80kW class) was officially launched in the third quarter of last year, it has passed the tests of many domestic customers. The company is currently improving based on customer feedback. The second-generation humidifier products (80kW-120kW level), the second-generation products are more compatible and durable. It is expected that the product development and verification will be completed in the third quarter and will be launched in batches before the end of this year.

One of the most basic logic for domestic humidifiers to replace imported ones is to reduce costs. At this stage, the price of an imported high-power humidifier (100kW class) is about 30,000 yuan, while the domestic humidifier of the same level only costs about 20,000 yuan, and the price-performance advantage of domestic humidifiers is obvious.

In fact, more than the above-mentioned domestic companies have begun to develop and produce humidifiers, but also include Shanghai Hua Entropy, Yuebo Power, Hengjin Power, and Tongyou Automobile. A person in charge of a domestic humidifier company said: "It is difficult for foreign brands to meet the requirements of fuel cell system manufacturers for customized development, and the price is expensive, which gives us the opportunity to rise."

Challenges of core technology and materials are being overcome

The participation of many domestic companies in the competition for the humidifier market will change the market structure to a certain extent, which is of far-reaching significance for promoting the autonomy of key components of domestic fuel cell systems. However, due to its infancy, the current situation that domestic humidifiers lack sufficient verification and reliability test data needs to be improved.

"At present, many humidifier companies have sent us samples, but not every product can meet the basic requirements." The technical director of a domestic fuel cell system company told Gaogong Hydrogen that domestic humidifier companies need their own Possess a certain amount of testing and verification capabilities, and it is impossible to expect all testing and verification to be completed by the system manufacturer.

In this regard, he has one of the most basic evaluation criteria for these domestic humidifier companies: whether they have independent testing laboratories and testing capabilities, and whether they can cooperate with system manufacturers to issue related test reports is an important basis for judging the strength of this company. , And companies with these conditions can survive in the fast iterative fuel cell industry.

In order to accelerate the realization of localized substitution and grab the share of foreign brands as soon as possible, some domestic companies are currently focusing on basic research and development, trying to break through technical barriers and realize the real localization of humidifiers.

Based on independent research and development, these companies use high-performance indicators, low-cost strategies and customized development as weapons to attack foreign brands. In their view, although Cologne and other international brands have formed a certain brand foundation in China, their disadvantages are also obvious: high prices, poor business conditions and untimely delivery, which are the strengths of domestic humidifier companies. .

To realize the ability to compete with foreign brands, independent research and development capabilities must be enhanced.

"Mastering the membrane material and membrane structure is the key to a good humidifier." Wan Jing told Gaogong Hydrogen that at present, Mofang New Energy has solved the humidifier's problems in membrane materials and hollow fiber tubes and can independently produce hollow fiber tubes. For the fiber membrane tube, an independent testing laboratory has also been established, and it can be continuously optimized for the performance of the product.

At this stage, domestic humidifiers have been partially localized for fuel cell systems with rated power below 80kW, but fuel cell systems above 100kW are more dependent on the purchase of imported brand products.

Fortunately, some domestic companies are making breakthroughs. Yitengdi’s 120kW-class humidifier products have been supplied in small quantities, and the high-power humidifier products of 100kW and above from companies such as Cube New Energy have also entered the key to commissioning. In the second half of the year, with the gradual installation of products in vehicles, it may further rewrite the market structure of humidifiers in my country.