AGCO Corporation (NYSE: AGCO), a global leader in agricultural machinery and precision ag technology, is spearheading a new French consortium—ARHYSTOTE—with the goal of developing next-generation smart hydrogen storage tanks for future hydrogen-powered tractors.
Led by AGCO’s Engineering team in France, the ARHYSTOTE consortium brings together a network of French-based companies: Cetim, IPC, IFTH, Raigi, and OliKrom. Together, they aim to design and produce innovative, high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks tailored for agricultural machinery and other off-road heavy-duty vehicles.
“This initiative is part of AGCO’s broader strategy to deliver sustainable off-road solutions for farmers, including the launch of a hydrogen-powered Massey Ferguson demonstrator tractor by 2026,” says Frédéric Cavoleau, Vice President of Engineering at AGCO’s Beauvais facility.
Efficient on-board hydrogen storage is crucial for enabling viable hydrogen-powered machinery. Hydrogen must be compressed to high pressure to meet the energy demands of heavy-duty operations, making smart storage solutions essential. ARHYSTOTE’s work will cover eight development stages—from initial analysis to manufacturing and testing—ensuring both technical feasibility and a clear path to industrial integration in future Massey Ferguson tractors.
The consortium has secured €4.4 million in funding from the French government through France 2030, administered by ADEME (the French Agency for Ecological Transition).
Cavoleau adds, “The zero-emission demonstrator will be based on Massey Ferguson’s mid-horsepower platform, utilizing an AGCO Power engine designed for hydrogen combustion. By building on familiar architecture, we can significantly cut development costs. Key systems like cooling, hydraulics, and transmission will align with those of diesel-powered models, while integrating the newly developed hydrogen tanks under the cab.”
A Step Toward Agricultural Decarbonization
“At AGCO and Massey Ferguson, we are committed to minimizing our environmental impact and that of the farmers we serve,” says Thierry Lhotte, Vice President & Managing Director Massey Ferguson Europe & Middle East. “Hydrogen is one of the most promising alternatives in the energy transition for off-road vehicles. It aligns with our mission to offer straightforward, dependable, and accessible solutions to farmers working to feed the world sustainably.”
Consortium Member Contributions:
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AGCO Power (Finland): Advancing hydrogen combustion engine technology.
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Cetim: Providing expertise in composite thermoplastics to design and manufacture the high-pressure tanks.
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Raigi: Specializing in the production of hydrogen liners, essential for safe and efficient storage.
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IFTH: Leading development of thermoplastic threads for sensor integration.
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CT-IPC: Developing sustainable thermoplastic liners using recycled materials to ensure high-performance and eco-friendly solutions.
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OliKrom: Applying its photochemistry expertise to create intelligent, hydrogen-sensitive pigments that react to pressure or shock.
Together, this consortium represents a major step forward in developing sustainable hydrogen solutions for agriculture and off-road machinery.
