Schulman Inc., a leading international supplier of high-performance plastic compounds, masterbatches, powders and resins, announced that A. Schulman Inc. and Adsorbed Natural Gas Products Inc. (ANGP) have reached an agreement. A. Schulman will join the coalition with ANGP to develop and produce the world’s first commercially viable conformable Type IV adsorbent-based low pressure natural gas (ANG) storage tank for motor vehicles.
In February 2016, ANGP and United Technologies Research Center (UTRC) announced an exclusive licensing agreement allowing ANGP to use UTRC’s patent-pending technology to develop and produce storage tanks. A. Schulman will join the coalition as the material and molding solution provider to help develop a storage tank that meets the American National Standards for Natural Gas Vehicle Container (ANSI NGV2) certification. With A. Schulman’s Quantum carbon fiber composite technology, A. Schulman was chosen as a key participant in developing this advanced storage system.
ANGP received the prestigious 2016 Frost & Sullivan New Product Innovation Award for Gas Storage for Natural Gas Vehicles (NGVs). The on-board, low-pressure absorbed natural gas storage system, developed by ANGP and its technology partners was recognized as an innovative, game-changing solution in the light-duty vehicles (LDVs) fueling market.
“We are honored to receive an invitation to join the coalition and look forward to developing the world’s first commercially viable natural gas storage tank to meet the needs of our end customers for innovative, lightweight and environmentally friendly products,” said Frank Roederer, senior vice president and general manager, U.S. and Canada and Engineered Composites, A. Schulman Inc.
“A. Schulman, as a leading material solutions company, was selected to be the material and molding solution provider for the development of the tank after a careful review of all our options. We are excited to add the company’s knowledge and expertise to our coalition to develop this technology for mass market acceptance,” said Bob Bonelli, ANGP co-founder and CEO.
“ANGP has done a tremendous job in demonstrating the value proposition for this technology. By pulling together all the coalition members, ANGP has leveraged each company’s unique skill set to help develop the most robust and cost-effective solution,” said Doug Gries, global marketing director, A Schulman Inc. “Our carbon fiber material technology is uniquely suited to meet the challenges in the automotive market.”
