Green hydrogen represents one of the pillars of the industrial energy transition and JMG Cranes SpA has chosen to invest concretely in this direction, developing innovative solutions for a new generation of sustainable mobility and lifting.
The Hydrogen Innovation program stems from JMG Cranes’ commitment to the research and development of hydrogen technologies, starting with the fuel cell propulsion of the MC250.09FL Fuel Cell crane truck, the first JMG model powered by hydrogen.
To complete the project, JMG has developed a green hydrogen production plant, equipped with a 1 MW electrolyzer powered by a dedicated photovoltaic system. The hydrogen is produced directly on site and intended to power fuel cell machines, creating an integrated, sustainable energy ecosystem focused on autonomy.
Hydrogen Innovation combines scientific research, collaboration with the academic world, innovation and concrete industrial applications, with the aim of bringing hydrogen into industrial lifting applications and offering the market reliable, safe, efficient and zero-emission solutions.
At JMG Cranes SpA, we continue to drive industrial innovation by combining technological and scientific expertise. As part of the ecological transition initiatives promoted by the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan), we successfully participated in the Emilia-Romagna Region’s "Cascade Call" (SPOKE 2), collaborating closely with the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia within the "Ecosystem for Sustainable Transition in Emilia-Romagna" (ECOSISTER) research program.
Our project, titled "H2-ZEF" (Zero Emissions Forklifts), was officially approved for funding thanks to its innovative nature: demonstrating how hydrogen offers a safe, reliable, and efficient solution for zero-emission industrial mobility.
Through intensive industrial research and experimental development, we transformed academic study into a tangible commercial reality, creating the MC250.09FL—our concrete answer to the need for increasingly efficient and sustainable lifting solutions.
Project funded under the PNRR
Mission 4 “Education and Research” – Component 2 “From Research to Business” – Investment 1.5 “Innovation Ecosystems”, funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.
Ecosystem Code: ECS00000033 | CUP: E93C22001100001
The MC250.09FL Fuel Cell is JMG’s first hydrogen-powered prototype, born from the H2-ZEF project. At the heart of this machine lies the PEFC FCH 96V fuel cell system, designed to combine zero emissions with unbeatable operational advantages, such as maximum continuous uptime and extremely rapid refueling times.
Created by integrating fuel cell technology into the original electric platform of the standard MC250.09FL series, the machine demonstrates that hydrogen is perfectly compatible with—and ready for—the world of pick-and-carry cranes. This successful retrofit paves the way for a new generation of highly energy-efficient industrial lifting equipment.
Developed in close collaboration with the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE) and the ECOSISTER ecosystem, the prototype represents the ideal synthesis of academic research and applied engineering, ready to transform future technologies into real-world market solutions.
As a testament to the extraordinary value of this journey, JMG Cranes SpA has secured a prestigious international accolade: the International Hydrogen and Technology Award 2025 (IHTA 2025). The H2-ZEF project was recognized for its significant innovation, effective plug-and-play integration with existing electric machinery, and tangible impact on sustainability and operational continuity.
This award validates our ability to transform academic and technological research into real-world, safe solutions that are immediately ready for industrial application. It is a milestone that reinforces JMG Cranes SpA’s position as a European leader in the energy transition and rewards our ongoing commitment to cleaner, more efficient lifting operations.
The MC250.09FL Fuel Cell employs cutting-edge technology based on the Arcotech FCH 96V unit, integrated into a hybrid architecture featuring a 30 kWh battery. This configuration ensures up to 6 hours of continuous operation, providing all the power needed to handle the most demanding work shifts.
The real gamechanger lies in the virtually eliminated downtime: thanks to 350-bar tanks, a full refuel takes just 5 minutes. The machine thus delivers stable, silent, zero-emission performance, retaining the high lifting capacity of the traditional electric version while offering significantly superior efficiency and operational availability.
With minimal maintenance requirements and full compatibility with standard operating procedures, the MC250.09FL stands out as a practical, reliable solution—ready right now to lead the industry toward a sustainable future.
As an external implementing body, JMG Cranes SpA proudly leads the development of the "H2-ZEF" project—a pivotal initiative for the future of zero-emission industrial lifting equipment.
The initiative secured funding from the Emilia-Romagna Region via European Union funds disbursed by the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE), confirming the technical and strategic merit of our vision.
Project funded under the PNRR
Mission 2 “Green Revolution and Ecological Transition” – Component 2 “Renewable Energy, Hydrogen, Grid, and Sustainable Mobility” – Investment 3.1 “Hydrogen production in disused industrial areas”.
At the former Eridania industrial site in Sarmato (Piacenza), JMG Cranes SpA has established one of the 12 Italian production facilities funded by the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) for the generation and refueling of green hydrogen. This strategic infrastructure is designed to power our future range of fuel-cell machinery and accelerate the adoption of hydrogen as a clean energy source within the industrial sector.
At the heart of this innovative hub lies our Hydrogen Valley—a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to green hydrogen production. The system relies on a dedicated 1.95 MWp photovoltaic plant that powers a 1 MW PEM electrolyzer. Water for the electrolysis process is drawn directly from a company-owned well. The infrastructure is complemented by a 1 MWh battery energy storage (BES) system, enabling optimized management of energy generated from renewable sources.
Overall, the plant is capable of producing up to 160 tons of green hydrogen annually, derived exclusively from renewable energy sources.
In addition to ensuring total energy autonomy and operational continuity for JMG Cranes SpA’s hydrogen-powered vehicles, this facility is poised to become a strategic benchmark for sustainable hydrogen production in the Emilia-Romagna region and the wider Piacenza logistics hub.
The facility was designed as a comprehensive energy hub: every stage of the hydrogen production process—from electrolysis using PEM technology and high-pressure tank storage to distribution—is optimized to ensure peak performance and the highest safety standards.
The dispensing units operate at 450 bar in compliance with the SAE J2600 standard, enabling fast, safe refueling for the MC250.09FL Fuel Cell, future JMG hydrogen models, and tube trailers and gas transport systems for other industrial applications.
Our new infrastructure goes beyond the mere operational needs of JMG Cranes SpA; it serves as a genuine hub for demonstrating sustainable technologies and energy innovation. It is a truly virtuous, clean, and holistic system, where the only "by-product" of the electrolysis process is oxygen, which is freely released back into the atmosphere.
The project was conceived to stimulate local growth by fostering the development of new professional skills, creating job opportunities, and driving the emergence of an industrial ecosystem genuinely committed to decarbonization.
Through synergies with our research programs and the H2-ZEF project, the facility stands as the beating heart of JMG Cranes SpA’s journey toward a production model that is independent, sustainable, and at the cutting edge of technology.
JMG Cranes designs and manufactures battery-powered electric self-propelled cranes from 0.9 to 70 tons that find application in a wide range of industries.
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