(Yicai  Global) April 16 -- Two subsidiaries of Sinosteel Group, one of China's  largest metals producers, will join forces to develop production  technology for graphite bipolar plates used in hydrogen fuel cells. 

Sinosteel  Nanjing New Materials Institute and Sinosteel New Materials Zhejiang  will form a joint venture and invest CNY8 million (USD1.2 million) in  early-stage research and development, Sinosteel Anhui Tianyuan  Technology, the parent firm of the Nanjing-based party, said in a  statement

The bipolar plates are important  parts of fuel cells as they separate fuel and oxidant and prevent gas  from permeating. They also evenly distribute gas to the reaction layer  of the electrode.

The Nanjing institute will  hold a share of at least 60 percent in the JV while the Zhejiang player  will take the remainder, according to the agreement. They aim to  manufacture and sell the parts after development have been completed. 

Sinosteel  Group mainly develops and processes metallurgical mineral resources.  Its subsidiary Sinosteel New Materials Zhejiang, one of the partners, is  a high-end graphite material developer. 

Editor: William Clegg