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Olikrom mobilized for the future hydrogen-powered farm tractor

As part of the Arhystote strategic project, led by ADEME and financed by the France 2030 plan to the tune of 4.4 million euros, Olikrom is one of the technology partners selected to contribute to the development of a new-generation hydrogen tractor. This program is supported by Massey Ferguson (AGCO Group), whose engineering teams in Beauvais (Oise) are coordinating a consortium of excellence bringing together French industrial and technical players such as Cetim, IPC, IFTH, Raigi and Olikrom.

The aim: to design high-pressure hydrogen tanks that are robust, safe and compatible with the demands of the agricultural sector. Olikrom has added an essential technological component: intelligent pigments capable of changing color in the event of a leak or impact. Integrated directly into the fibers of the tank casing, these pigments will provide an immediate visual warning, without the need for sensors or power supplies, thus enhancing the safety of future agricultural vehicles.

Tractor agricultural machine cultivating field.

 

Technology for energy transition and safety in rural areas

The demonstrator should be operational by 2026. It will be based on a medium-power Massey Ferguson platform, with an architecture that retains the conventional components (transmission, cooling, hydraulics) of combustion-powered models. The hydrogen engine will be supplied by AGCO Power (Finland). By choosing a tried-and-tested technical base, the project aims for faster industrialization and controlled costs.

For Olikrom, this partnership confirms the relevance of its reactive pigments in complex environments exposed to vibrations, shocks and climatic hazards. Already used in aeronautics, industrial safety and intelligent signalling, these materials open up new prospects for securing the hydrogen chain in the agricultural sector. This project also illustrates Olikrom’s ability to integrate its innovations into demanding production chains, working closely with the major players in sustainable mobility.