What Steelhead Composites does

Steelhead Composites, founded in 2012 and headquartered in Golden, Colorado, designs and manufactures lightweight composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) for high-pressure gas storage. The company's core technology uses filament winding of carbon fiber over Type III (metallic) and Type IV (polymeric) liners, with a proprietary bi-metallic polar boss design (US Patent 9683700B2) that enables large port sizes, high thread strength, in-tank regulators, and corrosion-resistant dissimilar-metal attachment. The product portfolio spans large industrial pressure vessels, small vessels for robotics and UAVs, CNG cylinders for vehicle fleets, ground storage and mobile transport solutions for hydrogen and CNG stations, and the modular HydrogenCube stationary storage system. Supporting services include advanced liner fabrication, prototype and ASD testing, and DOT PHMSA-certified pressure vessel recertification (RIN N599).

The company serves enterprise and government customers across clean energy and hydrogen infrastructure (primary), aerospace/space/defense, automotive and transit fleets, marine and maritime, industrial and research applications, and high-performance sporting goods. Named customers and partners include NASA (SBIR Phase 1 for cryogenic Type V vessels), Nikola Corporation (heavy-duty hydrogen trucks), Avelo Labs (Hydrotank-powered dive systems with 15,000+ dives), Toyota/Hyundai ecosystem events, and ElectricGreen (hydrogen fueling trailers). The business operates on a quote-based B2B model with direct sales, OEM embedding, and international distribution through trade shows across 26+ countries, supported by a comprehensive certification stack including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, AS9100, ASME BPVC Section X, CE-PED, DOT FMVSS 304, and DOT PHMSA RIN N599.

Steelhead generates revenue primarily through hardware sales of pressure vessels and COPVs across price tiers based on size, certification, and volume, supplemented by professional services revenue from advanced liner fabrication, prototype testing, and the recently launched recertification service. The company is privately held and incorporated in Delaware, has filed multiple SEC Form D exempt offerings totaling approximately $25M raised between 2022 and 2025, and operates a second manufacturing facility in Wheat Ridge, Colorado that doubles production capacity. CEO Andrew Coors leads a team of approximately 23-50 employees with engineering leadership from Dr. Kaushik Mallick (NASA SBIR PI) and Dr. Steven Arzberger (Director of Technology).

Name

Steelhead Composites

Legal name

Steelhead Composites, Inc.

Website

https://steelheadcomposites.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Steelhead Composites manufactures lightweight composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) for high-pressure gas storage, serving clean energy, hydrogen infrastructure, aerospace, automotive, marine, and industrial customers across 26+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Composite Pressure Vessels & Gas Storage Systems

NAICS

Boiler, Tank, and Shipping Container Manufacturing (3324)

SIC

Plastic Materials, Synth Resins & Nonvulcan Elastomers (2821)

akta.pro primary industry

FRP/GRP & Composite Materials (Resins, Fibers, Core Materials) (IMAJAKAC)

Keywords

• Composite pressure vessels
• Hydrogen storage solutions
• CNG cylinders
• Gas storage systems
• Pressure vessel manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Golden

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Composite Pressure Vessel Sales: Sale of lightweight composite pressure vessels and COPVs for hydrogen storage, CNG, compressed gases, hydraulic accumulators, and specialty applications. Products include Type III (metal-lined) and Type IV (polymer-lined) vessels ranging from small portable vessels to large industrial storage systems. Revenue is generated through direct product sales to OEMs, fleet operators, and industrial customers.
2. Pressure Vessel Recertification Services: DOT PHMSA-certified cylinder recertification services (RIN N599) offering visual inspections and hydrostatic testing for pressure vessels from all manufacturers. Service covers seamless steel/aluminum cylinders, UN ISO 9809 vessels, and ISO 11119 Type II-IV pressure vessels.
3. Advanced Liner Fabrication: Custom fabrication of precision Type 3 aluminum and Type 4 polymer liners for high-pressure gas systems, using metal spin forming and CNC machining capabilities.
4. Prototype Testing & ASD Testing: Rigorous prototype and ASD (Aerospace Standards Development) testing including hydrostatic, leak, cycle, and thermal testing to qualify pressure vessels for aerospace, space, and defense applications.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Steelhead Composites designs, manufactures, and sells lightweight composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) and high-pressure gas storage systems, including Type III metal-lined and Type IV polymer-lined vessels, CNG cylinders, hydrogen storage modules (HydrogenCube), and related liner fabrication, prototype/ASD testing, and DOT-certified recertification services for aerospace, automotive, clean energy, marine, and defense customers.

Product overview

Steelhead Composites is a provider of lightweight composite pressure vessels and gas storage solutions. The product portfolio centers on five core pressure vessel product lines: Large Pressure Vessels for industrial and energy applications, Small Pressure Vessels for robotics and UAVs, CNG Cylinders for vehicle fleets, Ground Gas Storage Solutions for hydrogen/CNG stations, and Mobile Gas Transport Solutions for field operations. Supporting these products are three service modules: Advanced Liner Fabrication (Type 3 aluminum and Type 4 polymer liners), Prototype Testing & ASD Testing, and Pressure Vessel Recertification services. The company also offers specialized products including HydrogenCube modular storage systems for grid-scale applications and ASME-certified Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Pressure Vessels for stationary hydrogen storage. The product architecture is designed around composite overwrapped pressure vessel (COPV) technology with various liner types and certifications to serve aerospace, automotive, clean energy, industrial, and defense sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HydrogenCube: Modular hydrogen storage units consisting of manifolded composite overwrapped pressure vessels storing between 18 kg and 1.2 tons of hydrogen for grid-scale fuel cells, gas turbines, hydrogen buffer storage, and green ammonia generation.
• PowerMax Series

Products and services

• Large Pressure Vessels

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 86% weight reduction in diaphragm accumulators (1.4kg vs 10kg for equivalent steel vessel)
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Colorado State University (CSU) Mechanical Engineering Department & The Energy InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 February 2023Joint capstone project to develop a low-cost hydrogen pressure booster system using Steelhead Composites accumulators. The project demonstrated feasibility of boosting hydrogen pressures to 350 bar for faster fueling at hydrogen stations, with results closely matching predicted outcomes. Success validates full-scale deployment potential.
• Avelo Labs / Avelo Dive SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Collaboration to power the Avelo Dive System, a revolutionary lightweight SCUBA diving experience. Steelhead's Hydrotank (with harmonized UN/ISO certifications recognized by DOT, TC, AS, and CE) is integrated into Avelo's patented diving system. The system has expanded to 40+ dive centers across 5 continents with over 15,000 dives since 2023.
• Graphmatech ABcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 September 2022Partnership to develop and produce next-generation Type IV pressure vessel liners using Graphmatech's patent-pending graphene-polymer composite technology. Expected improvements include reduced hydrogen permeability, increased thermal and electrical conductivity, and enhanced resistance to extreme thermal and pressure conditions. Combines Steelhead's pressure vessel technology and market position with Graphmatech's graphene-polymer composites for the hydrogen economy.
• Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019State Trade and Expansion Program (STEP) grant recipient enabling Steelhead to exhibit at international trade shows (Germany, Singapore) and expand to 26 countries and 100+ customers. The program is administered jointly with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
• IACMI - The Composites Institute / National Renewable Energy Laboratory / ArkemaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Collaborative Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) project including Steelhead (design and analysis), CSU (materials testing and blade fabrication), NREL (program management and techno-economic analysis), and Arkema (thermoplastic resins). Project resulted in a prototype VAWT with thermoplastic composite blades.
• Vartega Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Partnership to develop the world's first composite overwrapped pressure vessel (COPV) wound with continuous recycled carbon fiber tow. Vartega's proprietary low-energy chemistry-based recycling process reclaims carbon fiber from aerospace and automotive waste streams. The collaboration demonstrated that recycled carbon fiber can replace virgin fiber in high-performance pressure vessel manufacturing.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hexagon Composites: Norway-based global leader in composite pressure vessels for CNG, hydrogen, and industrial gas storage. Hexagon Purus subsidiary directly competes with Steelhead in Type IV hydrogen tanks for mobility and stationary applications.
• Quantum Fuel Systems: US-based manufacturer of composite pressure vessels for natural gas vehicle (NGV) and hydrogen fuel cell applications. Direct competitor to Steelhead in Type III and Type IV CNG/hydrogen cylinders for automotive and stationary markets.
• NPROXX (Hanwha CGS): Composite pressure vessel specialist for hydrogen and CNG storage, now part of Hanwha. Direct peer in Type IV hydrogen tanks serving bus, truck, rail, and stationary hydrogen applications globally.
• Luxfer Holdings: Specialty manufacturer of high-pressure gas cylinders including composite alternatives for medical, alternative fuel, and aerospace applications. Competes with Steelhead in CNG cylinders and high-pressure industrial gas storage.
• Plastic Omnium: French automotive supplier expanding into hydrogen storage tanks through its Plastic Omnium New Energies division. Direct competitor in composite hydrogen tanks for automotive OEMs and heavy mobility applications.
• Mersen: French industrial group with a hydrogen mobility business producing pressure vessels and balance-of-plant components for fuel cells and hydrogen storage. Direct competitor in hydrogen tank and system components.

Broad incumbents

• Worthington Enterprises: Major pressure vessel and cylinder manufacturer with a broad portfolio including CNG, LPG, and specialty industrial cylinders. A larger incumbent offering Steelhead overlapping capabilities but as part of a much wider industrial portfolio.

Regional players

• Iljin Composites: Korean manufacturer of composite pressure vessels primarily for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, with strong position in Asian OEMs. Comparable technology and product line to Steelhead but primarily serves Asia-Pacific markets.
• Faber Industrie: Italian manufacturer of composite cylinders for CNG, hydrogen, and industrial gases with strong European certifications. Comparable product line to Steelhead but primarily serves European customers.
• Hanwha General Chemicals: Korean chemical and materials company with composite pressure vessel capabilities (parent of NPROXX operations). Regional peer primarily serving Asian hydrogen and CNG markets through its composite tank subsidiary.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/steelheadvessel
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCgxLQK6OHRagSGEYtxipGdA
• Facebookfacebook.com/steelheadcomposites
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/steelhead-composites
• Instagraminstagram.com/steelheadcomposites

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds11 records

Investors7 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Steelhead Composites