[R&I] Tanks for Liquid Hydrogen: The LeiWaCo Project Successfully Completed

Why It Matters

By delivering a crack‑free composite solution for ultra‑cold hydrogen, LeiWaCo paves the way for safer, more efficient fuel‑cell vehicles and stationary energy storage, accelerating the hydrogen economy’s commercial rollout.

Key Takeaways

• First composite tank eliminates cryogenic microcracks for liquid hydrogen.
• Suprem’s thin‑layer thermoplastic tapes enable high performance at –253 °C.
• LeiWaCo won JEC Innovation Award in “Pipes, Tanks & Hydrogen” category.
• Partners include Airbus‑owned CTC, DLR, Teijin Carbon Europe, and others.

Pulse Analysis

The rapid growth of hydrogen as a clean‑energy vector has been hampered by the difficulty of storing liquid hydrogen (LH₂) safely and efficiently. Conventional metal tanks become brittle at –253 °C, leading to microcracks that can compromise structural integrity and increase leakage risk. The LeiWaCo project, led by the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) and its Institute of Polymer Engineering, tackled this problem by developing a fully composite tank that eliminates cryogenic microcracks. This breakthrough addresses a long‑standing barrier to widespread adoption of LH₂ in transport and grid‑scale applications.

The key to LeiWaCo’s performance lies in Suprem’s thin‑layer thermoplastic unidirectional tapes, which combine high tensile strength with exceptional low‑temperature resilience. Integrated into a carbon‑fiber laminate, the tapes maintain adhesion and prevent crack propagation even at –253 °C, allowing the tank to be up to 30 % lighter than comparable metal vessels. The design also supports a modular container‑based supply unit, simplifying logistics for refueling stations and maritime storage. By marrying advanced polymer engineering with aerospace‑grade composites, the tank sets a new benchmark for cryogenic hydrogen containment.

Recognition from the JEC Composites Innovation Awards underscores the commercial relevance of the LeiWaCo solution, positioning it for rapid uptake across the hydrogen value chain. The consortium—featuring Airbus‑owned CTC, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Teijin Carbon Europe, and several specialized firms—provides a ready supply chain and validation platform for scaling production. As governments and corporations invest heavily in decarbonization, a reliable, lightweight LH₂ tank could lower fuel‑cell vehicle costs, enable longer range, and support offshore wind‑to‑hydrogen projects. The technology therefore accelerates the transition toward a low‑carbon economy.