UMOE Advanced Composites and Celly H2, LLC Announce US DOT Approval of Type IV Hydrogen Storage Trailers
HOUSTON, May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Celly H2, LLC, the exclusive U.S. agent for UMOE Advanced Composites (UAC), is proud to announce that UAC’s innovative Type IV fiberglass-wrapped hydrogen storage vessels have received special permit approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), officially authorizing their use in hydrogen transport trailers within the U.S. market.
This landmark approval clears the way for UAC’s MEGC (Multi-Element Gas Container) trailers—engineered with proprietary Type IV glass fiber composite vessels—to enter the U.S. market as a certified solution for high-pressure hydrogen storage and transport.
UMOE Advanced Composites, a global leader in lightweight pressure vessel technology, has developed these vessels to address a critical gap in the current U.S. hydrogen infrastructure: high-capacity, 350 bar storage and transportation. The DOT approval allows these trailers to be deployed immediately, providing an essential solution for hydrogen distribution and fueling networks across the country.
Key Benefits of UAC’s Type IV Fiberglass Vessels:
- Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): UAC’s Type IV vessels offer a minimum 40% reduction in CAPEX compared to carbon fiber alternatives, and significantly reduced OPEX compared to Type I steel alternatives.
- Lightweight Design: The fiberglass composite structure delivers up to 70% weight savings compared to Type I steel, enabling higher payloads, reduced fuel consumption, and greater transport efficiency.
- Eco-friendly: Due to UAC’s use of fiberglass, energy consumption is reduced by more than 50% compared with carbon fiber and steel alternatives, and contributes to their low carbon footprint.
- Durability and Safety: These vessels offer industry-leading safety standards, with superior resistance to corrosion, fatigue, and environmental stress, and have passed rigorous testing under extreme conditions.
Shawn Laughlin, President of Celly H2, LLC, said:
This DOT approval is a pivotal step toward accelerating hydrogen infrastructure in the U.S.,
“UAC’s proven track record in Europe and Asia, combined with this regulatory milestone, gives U.S. customers access to a highly efficient, scalable, tried and tested solution for clean energy distribution.”
With over 80% of UAC’s global orders supporting hydrogen markets and clients in 32 countries, the entry into the U.S. under DOT approval represents a major expansion for both UAC and Celly H2, LLC. The newly approved 350 bar MEGC trailers are ready to support decarbonization efforts across a wide range of sectors, including mobility, industry, and energy storage.
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UMOE Advanced Composites and Celly H2, LLC Announce US DOT Approval of Type IV Hydrogen Storage Trailers, source
