UTC Fuel Cells (South Windsor, CT), a part of United Technologies Corp. (South Windsor, CT), has changed its long-standing ownership relationship with Toshiba Corp. (Japan), but will maintain a working relationship. Under the terms of the agreement, UTC Fuel Cells will purchase Toshiba's 10% ownership interest in UTC Fuel Cells, and Toshiba will purchase UTC Fuel Cells' 49% interest in Toshiba International Fuel Cells (TIFC).
Toshiba and UTC Fuel Cells have collaborated on fuel cell technology since the 1980s in an alliance that led to the creation of TIFC in 2001. Toshiba is now focused on developing and selling small PEM-based fuel cell power plants for residential use. Joint technology development of PEM by the two companies will continue under the new agreement, which includes a cross-licensing arrangement.
"This new arrangement allows UTC Fuel Cells to continue to pursue our key initiatives — PEM fuel cells for cars and fleet vehicles, and PEM and PAFC for large stationary units — while evaluating other fuel cell technologies, such as solid-oxide fuel cells," said UTC Power President Jan van Dokkum. "It also allows Toshiba to pursue its interest in commercializing small PEM stationary fuel cells for the Japanese market. I am pleased that we will continue our technical collaboration with Toshiba, since both companies have a great heritage in fuel cells."
