Hydrogen Hub in Carinthia: MAHLE Expands St. Michael Plant for Fuel Cell Tech
German automotive supplier MAHLE has confirmed a significant expansion at its plant in St. Michael ob Bleiburg, Carinthia, with plans to establish the site as a future hub for hydrogen mobility components.
The company announced this week that the facility will begin series production of humidifiers for fuel cell vehicles in 2029. The move marks a strategic investment in hydrogen technology, reinforcing Austria’s role in sustainable automotive innovation at a time when the government is heavily incentivizing green industry solutions.
Hydrogen Components to Be Produced Locally
According to an official MAHLE press release, the plant will manufacture a high-tech humidifier for fuel cell vehicles. This component plays a critical role in optimizing air regulation, which extends the efficiency and service life of fuel cell powertrains.
Production is expected to commence in 2029 after the installation of new automated production lines and facility upgrades. The company highlighted that the decision reflects confidence in the Carinthian workforce and the site’s technological expertise in areas such as welding, injection molding, and media technology.
“This is a clear commitment from MAHLE to strengthening the St. Michael location and to ramping up hydrogen technologies for future mobility,” said Roland Kaimbacher, Head of Simultaneous Engineering at MAHLE in St. Michael ob Bleiburg.
Why Hydrogen?
Humidifiers are key components in hydrogen fuel cell systems, ensuring that fuel cells maintain proper moisture levels and airflow. Their role is critical to efficiency and durability a key consideration as automakers explore alternatives to battery-only electric vehicles, particularly for heavy-duty transport.
This aligns with broader national efforts. Austria has been advancing in hydrogen research, with investments in hydrogen production and collaborative projects like the OMV Green Hydrogen initiative and the “Hydrogen Valley” initiative spanning Carinthia, Styria, and Upper Austria.
Jobs, Skills, and Local Impact
The St. Michael ob Bleiburg facility, a long-established MAHLE location since 1999, currently employs around 1,300 people. It also hosts its own apprenticeship academy, one of the largest training organizations in Lower Carinthia.
The shift to fuel cell humidifier production is expected to safeguard employment by equipping workers with specialized skills relevant to emerging mobility technologies. Comprehensive retraining programs will begin in the coming months to prepare the workforce for the transition.
MAHLE said the expansion will not only modernize the plant but also secure competitiveness and knowledge retention, ensuring the site remains a key contributor to the company’s global strategy in sustainable technologies.
