CIMC-Hexagon rolls out Type 4 hydrogen multi-element gas container

Source | CIMC-Hydrogen

CIMC-Hexagon Hydrogen Energy Development (Hebei) Co. Ltd. (CIMC-Hexagon, Shijiazhuang, China) has announced the successful launch of what is says is China’s first 20-foot Type 4 hydrogen multi-element gas container (MEGC).

This development fills a domestic technology gap for Type 4 hydrogen MEGCs and marks progress in localizing high-pressure hydrogen storage and transport equipment in China. Backed by international certification and versatile applications, it provides a solid foundation for Chinese-made hydrogen equipment to be provided to the Asian market.

The 20-foot MEGC integrates CIMC-Hexagon’s global technology resources with local manufacturing strength. It features a composite Type 4 cylinder, offering high storage capacity, light weight, modular flexibility and enhanced safety. With an operating pressure of 38 MPa, a standard 40-foot container configuration can store more than 1 ton of hydrogen.

CIMC-Hexagon combines the strengths of its parent companies: Hexagon Purus' six decades of experience in composite high-pressure hydrogen storage and validation from more than 700 MEGC systems deployed worldwide, together with CIMC ENRIC's full industry chain layout in hydrogen equipment and decades of energy equipment manufacturing expertise.

This enables full-process control from core components to system integration, high product performance and reliability.

Read “Hexagon Purus and CIMC Enric for construction of joint production facility and New Energy R&D management center” for more info about Hexagon Purus and CIMC Enric.

The MEGC meets stringent international standards including ADR 6.8 and TPED (2010/35/EU), and is designed for compliance with other global transport regulations. Suitable for road, rail and inland waterways, it addresses the growing need for efficient, economical hydrogen logistics. According to the company, compared to traditional solutions, it offers optimal weight reduction, greater capacity and intermodal compatibility — lowering the total cost of ownership and cost per kilogram of hydrogen transported. Its modular design supports configurations from 10 to 45 feet, providing flexibility for diverse customer needs and optimizing life cycle costs for medium- to long-distance, high-volume hydrogen transport.

Notably, CIMC-Hexagon is pursuing an “Asia first, domestic follow” dual-market strategy. Initially, it will leverage CIMC ENRIC’s foundation in Southeast Asia to expand into the Asian regional markets, capturing new share with certified, compliant products. Simultaneously, the company will advance R&D and certification for a full series of MEGCs at different pressure levels, continuously enriching its product portfolio.

In the domestic market, CIMC-Hexagon will actively participate in shaping hydrogen storage and transport standards, promoting the compliant application of MEGC products within China’s hydrogen infrastructure to support the nation’s “dual carbon” goals.

Going forward, the company will fully leverage synergies from its parent companies in technology, channels and production capacity to optimize costs and delivery efficiency. It will provide customized solutions for regional market needs, gradually building a sales and service network, aiming to become a core supplier in hydrogen storage and transport equipment.

CIMC-Hexagon also delivered its first hydrogen tanks to Europe in 2025.