From November 18 to 22, CRM Group participated in the EU Hydrogen Week 2024 in Brussels, one of Europe’s most important events dedicated to hydrogen technologies. This gathering brought together key players from across the hydrogen value chain, including industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and innovators.

A Strong Presence at the Heart of the Hydrogen Ecosystem

During this pivotal week, CRM Group showcased its expertise and ongoing contributions to the development of sustainable hydrogen solutions. Our participation highlighted several areas of innovation, including:

• Characterization of hydrogen using advanced measurement tools for enhanced reliability and performance.
• Production of hydrogen with pilot-scale electrolysers, bridging the gap between laboratory research and industrial application.
• Fragilization and embrittlement verification, ensuring the integrity and durability of materials in hydrogen environments.
• The development of bipolar plate prototypes, a critical component in advancing fuel cell technologies.

Beyond our stand, CRM Group played a central role through the IIS e-WallonHY project, for which we are the proud coordinator. This initiative reinforces our commitment to advancing hydrogen technologies in collaboration with regional and international partners, demonstrating the importance of collective efforts in addressing global energy challenges.

A Platform for Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange

EU Hydrogen Week provided a dynamic platform for CRM Group to engage with a diverse range of stakeholders. Through discussions with visitors, partners, and policymakers, our team shared insights into our research and solutions while exploring new opportunities for collaboration.

The event was also an opportunity to deepen our understanding of emerging industry trends and innovations that are shaping the future of hydrogen. From policy developments to technical advancements, EU Hydrogen Week remains a cornerstone for driving progress in this rapidly evolving sector.

A Shared Vision for a Greener Future

CRM Group’s presence at EU Hydrogen Week reflects our broader mission: to contribute to a cleaner, greener future through sustainable technologies and innovative solutions. We are proud to be part of a global community committed to advancing hydrogen as a cornerstone of the energy transition.

We extend our sincere thanks to the organizers of EU Hydrogen Week for creating such a valuable event and to our colleagues who represented CRM Group with dedication and professionalism throughout the week.

As the hydrogen revolution continues to gain momentum, CRM Group remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of innovation, fostering collaboration, and supporting the transition to a more sustainable energy landscape.

Have you heard about the Helioroof project? Developed in collaboration with ArcelorMittal, this project offers a Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) solution tailored for steel roofs in industrial and commercial buildings. Helioroof stands out with its lightweight design, optimized architectural integration, and exceptional solar energy production performance. 

Innovation at the Heart of the Energy Transition

Helioroof is designed to meet the growing demand for photovoltaic solutions in the construction sector, where energy efficiency, durability, and aesthetics are essential. This integrated BIPV solution, winner of the 2024 Innovation Industry Award in the Photovoltaics category, features high-power crystalline solar modules, among the largest ever produced for terrestrial applications.

ArcelorMittal, a global leader in steel, developed Helioroof to provide a sustainable, lightweight, and easy-to-install solution for inclined steel roofs. These prefabricated, insulated solar panels ensure better integration with steel structures, offering reduced environmental impact and enhanced energy performance.

CRM Group’s Role in the Project

The CRM Group plays a key role in developing the materials and manufacturing processes needed for the implementation of these photovoltaic modules. Our expertise in material evaluation and durability testing ensures that the solutions provided by Helioroof meet the highest standards of quality and performance.

Through our collaboration with ArcelorMittal, we have contributed to the design and optimization of industrial processes to ensure the robustness of solar panels in demanding environments. Additionally, our approach to decarbonization and the circular economy reinforces our commitment to sustainable solutions for the future of solar energy.

Helioroof’s Benefits

• Lightweight Design: Helioroof panels are tailored for steel roof structures, making installation easier.
• Energy Efficiency: The high-performance modules ensure maximum energy production, even in low-sunlight conditions.
• Architectural Integration: The BIPV solution seamlessly integrates with inclined roofs, offering a sleek, modern aesthetic.
• Durability: Helioroof is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, ensuring a long lifespan with minimal maintenance.

Moving Toward Commercialization

Currently in the certification phase, Helioroof is on track for large-scale commercialization. This innovative solution represents a major step forward in photovoltaic roofing for industrial and commercial buildings, contributing to the global energy transition.

At CRM Group, we are proud to be part of this journey, promoting clean and sustainable technologies for a greener future. 

To learn more about Helioroof and our contributions to the solar energy sector, don’t hesitate to contact us.

As part of the REMADE project within the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, CRM Group recently installed a high-pressure Cold Spray system within its Advanced Manufacturing platform. This innovative process was successfully tested during trials for VLM Robotics, which brought in a mold manufactured through additive manufacturing (WAAM) that required protection with a copper coating.

Cold Spray is a cutting-edge technology that enables the deposition of metallic materials at high speeds without heating the objects, thereby preserving the metallurgical properties of the materials while ensuring excellent coating adhesion. This deposition process is ideal for protecting critical components used in aerospace and aviation sectors.

During the trials with VLM Robotics, CRM Group demonstrated its ability to apply a thick copper coating to large-scale (XL) parts, thanks to the combination of Cold Spray and a robot coupled with a rotating table capable of handling heavy and bulky objects. This collaboration highlighted the flexibility and precision of the process, paving the way for applications in demanding industries such as aerospace and energy, where the protection and durability of components are essential.

Cold Spray perfectly aligns with the industry's priorities of decarbonization and circular economy, addressing the growing need for component repair and protection without degrading their properties. With its state-of-the-art equipment, CRM Group is well-positioned to offer innovative solutions to companies, strengthening its role as a key player in the aerospace sector.

From October 4-10, we joined the global celebration of World Space Week, highlighting the essential role space exploration plays in advancing technology and addressing global challenges.

At CRM Group, we are steadily carving out our place in the highly specialized aerospace sector. Our efforts focus on the development of new materials for space applications, from design to finishing and implementation. One of our recent achievements includes our contribution to Ariane 6, where we developed Phase Change Material (PCM) systems for thermal management, showcasing our growing expertise in this field.

As part of this week, we also took the opportunity to sit down with Nicolas Nutal, Program Manager at CRM Group, to gain further insights into our aerospace work. Nicolas shared how CRM Group has gradually established itself in the space sector:

- What is your role and what does your work involve?
“I am Program Manager at CRM Group, responsible for activities related to aerospace. My job involves establishing connections with new potential partners and preparing new research projects in this field.”

- Why did you choose to work in this field?
“I didn’t specifically choose to work in aerospace, but you could say that it's more or less the field that chose me. My diverse research projects at CRM Group led me to collaborate with the European Space Agency - ESA. It's been around ten years now that CRM has entered the space domain, and these projects have become my passion and source of motivation.”

- How does CRM Group position itself in the aerospace sector?
“CRM mainly focuses on developing new materials for space applications, including material development, finishing, and implementation. Some of our terrestrial research projects could also have space applications, and we expect our research themes to expand in the coming years.”

- What are the future prospects for CRM Group in this field?
“Through continuous efforts, CRM has secured a place in the highly competitive space sector. Starting with a small project, we now have several people working full-time in this area. There is potential for further growth, particularly by targeting international activities and capitalizing on concepts developed in studies for ESA.”

In addition to our aerospace advancements, some of our research projects originally developed for terrestrial applications are finding a place in the space industry, further enhancing innovation and efficiency.

As we push forward in aerospace, we remain committed to the fight against climate change. Through our decarbonization efforts and our role in promoting the circular economy, we firmly believe that innovations for space can lead to a more sustainable future for Earth.

At CRM Group, we’re excited to explore new frontiers while ensuring a positive impact on our planet. Together, we can build a brighter future for space exploration and a more sustainable world

The CRM Group is proud to be onboard the successful maiden flight of Ariane 6 rocket. This landmark event, which took place at 16:00 local time (20:00 BST, 21:00 CEST) from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, marks a new era in European space transportation, but also for the CRM Group!

In collaboration with Walopt, and supported by the European Space Agency (ESA), the CRM Group has developed innovative thermal management systems to be flown on the Ariane 6 rocket. Using phase change material (PCM) technology, these advanced damping units are designed to store and release heat efficiently. This weight saving solution ensures the optimal performance and longevity of electronic components.

About the PCM Damping Units

The development process involved rigorous studies on the selection of the phase change material and manufacturing solutions, but also testing and qualification of critical properties such as burst pressure or even long term cycling and radiation resistance. The resulting units are now a ready-to-integrate solution for satellites and launchers such as ESA's YPSAT.

We can also say that these PCM damping units involved extensive research and rigorous testing. Key aspects of the development process included:

• Material Selection: Careful studies were conducted to identify the most suitable phase change materials, which are crucial for the efficient thermal management of space-bound electronics.
• Manufacturing Solutions: Advanced manufacturing techniques were employed to create the damping units, ensuring high precision and reliability.
• Testing and Qualification: The units underwent thorough testing to validate critical properties such as burst pressure, long-term cycling durability, and resistance to radiation. These tests confirmed the robustness and effectiveness of the PCM technology under the harsh conditions of space.

The resulting units are now ready-to-integrate solutions, enhancing the robustness and reliability of ESA's YPSAT and other satellite and launcher systems.

Ariane 6: Europe’s Flagship Rocket

Ariane 6 is set to become Europe’s flagship rocket, providing increased payload capacity and flexibility compared to its predecessor, Ariane 5. This inaugural flight is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the European space industry and its dedication to advancing space exploration and satellite deployment capabilities.

Conclusion

We are proud to see our technology contribute to the success of the Ariane 6 mission. This achievement represents a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to diversify our activities and develop innovative solutions for the aerospace industry.

We'll be back very soon with an article dedicated to our PCM units!