Plastic Omnium, a France-based automotive supplier specialising in the manufacturing and commercialisation of plastics, has announced plans to build a hydrogen storage manufacturing plant in Grand Blanc Township, in the US state of Michigan. The company will invest $171.2m and create 175 jobs through the project, with the support of a $5n Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant for the developments in two locations in the state.

The Michigan state has also approved a 15-year 'state essential services assessment exemption' valued at $2.38m, and Grand Blanc Township anticipates approval of a property tax abatement in support of the project. The company selected Michigan because of its relationships with existing Tier 1 suppliers, proximity to its other Michigan operations, and strong community support during the site selection process. Its other Michigan operations are based in Adrian, Huron and Detroit.

Upon announcing the project, Laurent Favre, CEO of Plastic Omnium, said: “We are excited to launch the construction of our first hydrogen mega-plant in the US, in Michigan, the heart of the automotive industry. This investment follows Plastic Omnium's record $2bn order from a major US automaker earlier this year, which confirms our leadership as a key technology partner for US sustainable mobility players.”