The OorjaPac DMFC system functions as an on-board battery-charger, to trickle-charge the vehicle’s battery both while the vehicle is operating and when parked. This eliminates the time wasted during battery-charging and swapping in warehouse and manufacturing facilities.

‘In our transition to commercializing the OorjaPac within the food and dairy industry, we see this relationship with SSI as a very strong one,’ says Sanjiv Malhotra, president/CEO of Oorja Protonics. ‘[SSI] is leading the path to introducing various innovative technologies.’

The order from LPC is for the installation of OorjaPac fuel cells on its fleet of electric forklifts, according to a Material Handling Network report. These electric forklifts have been purchased recently to replace the entire fleet of propane-based forklifts.

‘We have diligently explored various types of fuel cells for our material handling needs over the last year, since we made the decision to transition to battery-powered forklifts,’ comments Mike McWeeney, vice president at LPC. ‘Our decision to consider fuel cells was based on the green benefits as well as an attractive payback. Oorja’s use of methanol fuel for the OorjaPac, and its various benefits over competing fuel cell technologies, really impressed us. We see this as an initial start to a longer-term alliance’.