What FCLAB does

FCLAB (Fédération FCLAB / FC-LAB) is a non-profit research federation and hydrogen energy service center headquartered in Belfort, France, operating as a joint research unit under the dual supervision of the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and Université Marie et Louis Pasteur (UMLP), including its component institutions UTBM and SUPMICROTECH-ENSMM. Founded from fuel cell activities that began in 1999, the federation has accumulated more than 25 years of experience in hydrogen energy systems and federates the activities of over 150 researchers and engineers across partner laboratories (FEMTO-ST, ICB, LEMTA, AMPERE, SATIE, Université Gustave Eiffel).

FCLAB's core offering is built around four interlocking services: (1) hydrogen systems testing services covering PEMFC stacks (500W to 120kW), fuel cell systems (up to 150kW), SOFC cells and stacks (up to 1kW), PEM electrolyzers, and hydrogen storage systems, performed under controlled atmospheres (temperature, humidity, vibration) including ATEX-rated climatic chambers up to 3m³ and combined vibration/climate benches (6Hz–25kHz, 75g, -45/+120°C); (2) engineering and feasibility studies including sizing, numeric simulation, and prototype development for H2 production, storage, mobility, and stationary applications; (3) operation of the 800m² Hydrogène Energie Platform with 10 test rooms and gas supply infrastructure; and (4) customized education and training programs ranging from general seminars to specialized professional courses. Technical capabilities are certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 standards.

FCLAB's business model is that of a publicly-funded French research federation rather than a venture-backed company: revenue is not disclosed and is sourced from CNRS/UMLP core institutional funding, national programs (ANR, France 2030), and European programs (Interreg, Erasmus+), supplemented by fee-based contract testing, engineering studies, and training for industrial clients. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting industrial firms and research partners requiring specialized hydrogen testing; the federation serves use cases across connected/off-grid microgrids, green hydrogen production, hydrogen storage (including solid hydrides), mobility powertrains, and stationary CCHP systems. Leadership comprises Director Marie-Cécile PERA (Professor at UMLP) and Deputy Director David Bouquain (researcher-teacher at FEMTO-ST Institute).

Name

FCLAB

Legal name

Fédération FCLAB

Website

https://fclab.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

FCLAB is a French non-profit research federation in Belfort providing hydrogen energy system testing, engineering studies, and training, operating as a joint CNRS and Université Marie et Louis Pasteur unit serving industrial clients and research partners across the European hydrogen value chain.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hydrogen Energy Testing & Research Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Hydrogen CHP (Fuel Cell & H2-Ready Turbines) (EUACAKAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hydrogen (Industrial & Mobility) (IMAEACAB), Alternative Fuel, Hybrid & EV Service (High-Voltage) (EDAOAEAL)

Keywords

• Hydrogen energy testing
• Fuel cell research
• PEM electrolyzer testing
• Hydrogen storage research
• Hydrogen engineering services

Headquarters

HQ city

Belfort

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Engineering and Feasibility Studies: Engineering studies for hydrogen projects including sizing, numeric simulations, and development of prototypes
2. Testing Services: Testing of hydrogen systems up to 150kW in controlled atmospheres with environmental constraints (temperature, humidity, vibration)
3. Customized Training Programs: Tailor-made training programs from general seminars to specialized professional education in hydrogen technologies

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

FCLAB is a hydrogen energy research and service center that delivers engineering and feasibility studies, physical testing of hydrogen systems up to 150kW under controlled atmospheric, thermal, and vibration conditions, and customized training programs. It operates a 800m² specialized Hydrogen Energie Platform with ATEX climatic chambers and vibrating/climatic test benches to characterize PEMFC, SOFC, PEM electrolyzers, hydrogen storage, and hydrogen powertrains for mobility and stationary applications.

Product overview

FCLAB is a research and service center for hydrogen energy systems with more than 25 years of experience. Rather than a software product company, FCLAB offers a portfolio of technical services organized around four core offerings: (1) Hydrogen Systems Testing Services for PEMFC stacks (500W-120kW), fuel cell systems (up to 150kW), and PEM electrolyzers with environmental testing capabilities; (2) Engineering & Feasibility Studies covering sizing, numeric simulations, and prototype development; (3) the Hydrogen Energie Platform providing specialized testing infrastructure with 10 test rooms and climatic chambers; and (4) Education & Training Programs for hydrogen technologies. The organization operates as a joint CNRS/Université Marie et Louis Pasteur research unit, serving industrial and academic clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hydrogen Systems Testing Services Physical testing and characterization of hydrogen energy systems including PEMFC stacks (500W to 120kW), fuel cell systems (up to 150kW), PEM electrolyzers, hydrogen storage, and H2 powertrains for mobility. Includes long-duration testing (24/7), cold start and temperature cycling, impedance spectroscopy, and ageing tests under real and accelerated dynamic cycles, delivered to industrial clients and research partners.
• Engineering & Feasibility Studies Engineering and feasibility studies for hydrogen energy projects covering sizing, numeric simulations, and prototype development. Applied to hydrogen production via PEM electrolyzers, hydrogen storage solutions, connected and off-grid applications, smart microgrids, power to gas, and system design for mobility and stationary applications, for industrial clients and research partners.
• Education & Training Programs Customized education and training programs in hydrogen energy technologies, ranging from general awareness seminars to specialized technical and professional development courses. Includes hydrogen fuel cell technology training for industry professionals and academic learners.
• Hydrogen Energie Platform Specialized testing infrastructure comprising 800m² of hydrogen-dedicated facilities with 10 test rooms, ATEX climatic chambers up to 3m³, vibrating and climatic test benches (6Hz to 25kHz, 75g, 35600N; -45/+120°C, 0-100% RH), and gas supply facilities. Provides temperature and hygrometry-controlled environments for hydrogen system testing under explosive atmosphere and vibration conditions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Testing capacity for hydrogen systems up to 150kW
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFCLAB is a joint research unit under the dual supervision of CNRS and Université Marie et Louis Pasteur, providing institutional backing and access to national research networks.
• Université Marie et Louis Pasteur (UMLP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFCLAB is jointly supervised by UMLP which includes component institutions UTBM and SUPMICROTECH-ENSMM. UMLP is the parent university federation.
• University of Technology of Belfort-Montbeliard (UTBM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUTBM is one of the component institutions of UMLP and hosts FCLAB facilities. Provides academic expertise and student resources.
• SUPMICROTECH-ENSMMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerComponent institution of UMLP providing engineering expertise and microtechnology resources for hydrogen research.
• FEMTO-ST InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner laboratory conducting hydrogen research activities. Hosts Energy department which collaborates closely with FCLAB on testing and research projects.
• ICB (Institut Carnot de Bourgogne)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner laboratory contributing research expertise in materials science relevant to hydrogen technologies.
• LEMTA (Laboratoire d'Énergétique et de Mécanique Théorique et Appliquée)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner laboratory providing expertise in applied thermodynamics and energy systems for hydrogen research.
• AMPEREsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner laboratory contributing electrical engineering and electromagnetism expertise for hydrogen systems.
• SATIEsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner laboratory providing acoustics and electrical engineering expertise relevant to hydrogen system optimization.
• Université Gustave EiffelsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university contributing civil engineering and infrastructure expertise for hydrogen applications.
• Réseau EDEN.isupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy transition research network co-founded by FCLAB Director Marie-Cécile Pera. Collaborative network focusing on renewable energies and distributed energy research with academic and industry partners.
• France HydrogènesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational hydrogen industry association representing French hydrogen sector. FCLAB participates in interviews and events alongside France Hydrogène leadership.
• Pôle Véhicule du FutursupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive and mobility competitiveness cluster. Co-organizes European Hydrogen Careers Day with FCLAB and UMLP within Interreg projects.
• Pays de Montbéliard AgglomérationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal development authority supporting hydrogen initiatives and educational outreach activities.
• CCI Territoire de BelfortsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber of Commerce and Industry hosting energy transition events where FCLAB participates in roundtables and discussions.
• Grand BelfortsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetropolitan area supporting hydrogen ecosystem development in the Belfort region.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Element Materials Testing: Element is a global testing services provider with dedicated hydrogen and fuel cell testing capabilities including environmental, vibration, and durability testing. Comparable as a commercial lab providing hydrogen system characterization and qualification services.
• Intertek: Intertek is a global TIC company offering fuel cell, electrolyzer, and hydrogen component testing and certification. Comparable as a commercial third-party testing provider for hydrogen energy systems, serving similar industrial clients with broader geographic and industry coverage.
• DNV (Energy Systems): DNV is a global classification and energy advisory society with significant hydrogen value chain advisory, testing, and certification services. Comparable as a third-party risk management, testing, and certification provider for hydrogen and fuel cell systems.
• SINTEF: SINTEF is Norway's largest independent research institute with extensive hydrogen, fuel cell, and electrolyzer testing and research activities. Comparable as a European non-profit applied research organization offering H2 system testing and engineering to industrial clients.
• TÜV Rheinland: TÜV Rheinland is a global TIC company offering hydrogen system testing, safety certification, and training services. Comparable as a third-party testing/certification/training provider for hydrogen technologies, though across many industries beyond energy.
• Fraunhofer ISE: Fraunhofer ISE is Germany's largest solar energy research institute with substantial hydrogen production, fuel cell, and electrolyzer testing programs. Comparable as a publicly-funded applied research institution offering H2 testing and engineering services to industry, but with a much broader energy portfolio.
• CEA Liten: CEA Liten is the French Atomic Energy Commission's lab for new energy technologies, with major fuel cell, electrolyzer, and hydrogen system testing platforms. Comparable as a major French public research institution providing H2 testing and R&D services, though at significantly greater scale and broader scope.
• TÜV SÜD: TÜV SÜD is a global testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) company with growing hydrogen mobility and infrastructure testing services. Comparable as a third-party testing and certification provider for hydrogen systems, though operating at vastly larger scale across many industries.

Regional players

• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL): NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research, with extensive hydrogen production, storage, and fuel cell testing capabilities. Comparable as a publicly-funded national research institution providing hydrogen system testing and analysis, though primarily serving North American clients.

Direct peers

• Zentrum für BrennstoffzellenTechnik (ZBT): ZBT is a German hydrogen and fuel cell research center in Duisburg, operating dedicated fuel cell and electrolyzer testing facilities with comparable stack/system testing capabilities. Direct peer as a European non-university H2 testing and research center serving industrial clients.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ReseauEDEN.i
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fclab-fuel-cell-lab
• Xx.com/FclabFi

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 FCLAB