Better Together

The Zero Emission Racing Team is not only a group of racing enthusiasts; several specialised companies support the project with their expertise.

Main Partners: Solvay and Umicore

SolviCore GmbH & Co. KG was founded on July 1st, 2006 by its parent companies Umicore and Solvay. The 50-50 joint venture is based in Hanau, at Umicore’s main R&D site in Germany. SolviCore currently employs 50 people in research, development, production and sales of membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) and related compounds, to be used in fuel cells applications.

Within its product line pMembrain, SolviCore develops and supplies products for 4 different applications: hydrogen-, reformate- and direct methanol fuel cells as well as for PEM water electrolysis. These components for fuel cells are manufactured on specially developed or adapted pilot production lines.

Umicore and Solvay, two global industrial groups which respectively enjoy a global leading position in precious metal catalysts and polymer technology, have the ambition to play a major role in the development of fuel cell technology through SolviCore. The joint venture will be built on these core competencies and the experience of 10 years of development in the area of fuel cell technology. SolviCore can also draw on Umicore’s world-leading position in metals management and precious metal recycling (closed loop concept), which will be required to control the cost of fuel cell products in the future.

Partner in Electric Drivetrain & Controls: Triphase

We are proud to have the support from Triphase. Triphase is a spin-off company from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, providing solutions for the fast realization of complex, high-performance, industrial power electronics applications. Together with Triphase we developed the power electronics and controls for the electric drivetrain of the kart.

Mols is a rental service for vehicles and trucks. Mols supports the project by providing us light trucks to transport the racing vehicle and all components.

Group T International University College is the source of this project, where all of the team members met each other and study or earned a degree industrial engineering.

Genker Kart Shop is the number one karting supplier in Belgium. We can use their track for testing.

Solarcompany is a phonomenon in the world of photovoltaic solar-energy. The company, with Rudi Vandromme as CEO, has built a rock solid reputation in this field.

Birel supports our team as well, by providing the top quality chassis and accessoires.

EnerSys is the global leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications. Enersys provides us with batteries which will be used the first electric powered prototype kart.

Renderhouse is specialised in 3D illustrations and graphic solutions. Renderhouse created the artistic illustrations of the kart.

Castolin Eutectic is specialised in welding technology, and supported us with the welding of the custom built tubular chassis.

SHC Racing is a company that develops new motorsport georeferenced racing applications (racing cars, motorcycles, karts, off-shore, etc). They develop computer systems linked telemetry and vehicle dynamics analysis relying on GPS data processing using different types of acquisition and post-processing and analysis on embedded systems and PC.

Swagelok Belgium is the Swagelok authorized sales and service centre for Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. They offer a wide variety of high quality Swagelok® products and a large variety of services, adjusted to the individual needs of their customers. They keep a large stock, supported by the Swagelok regional distribution centers and a world-class supply chain management.

Diametal is your partner for the manufacturing of mechanical parts in metals, plastics and composites. With our state of the art CNC milling machines, turning lathes and EDM machines, Diametal can produce a single piece or a batch of your most complex mechanical parts. Reliability, quality and flexibility are our motivation in cooperating with our clients. Diametal is ISO 9001 certified. Various complex parts of our drivetrain were made by Diametal. Please visit our website www.diametal.be.

VINK, a customer orientated organization, belongs to the very few European companies that can be proud of a history in semi-finished plastics of more than 50 years. Vink started its trade and distribution activities in Belgium in 1969. Over the years it has grown into a group of about 1000 employees and more than 33 outlets covering Europe.

The market segment varies from the chemical industry tot the building branch and from the
machinery industry tot illuminated sign companies. Experience and knowledge about plastics,
a fully automated order handling. Europe’s largest supply program, an autonomous operating
logistics department; These facilities enable Vink as no one else to answer quickly and cautiously
tot any demand of the market.

A logistics department and transport in our management is the key to a fast and accurate
distribution. Our yellow trucks cross the roads throughout the Benelux, charged by a flexible
logistics department that can cope with any transport situation.
The fully automated order handling and logistics department, based on speed and accuracy
enables us to deliver your order within 24 hours. Keeping a stock is consequently superfluous for
a Vink customer.
Besides standard materials, Vink can also cut your semi-finished plastic to the requested size
or transform it into a high quality end product. Vink disposes of an advanced machinery park for
transforming plastics to the clients’ needs.

Indupol International N.V. is a market leader in composite solutions, and supported us in the production of the carbon fibre shell.

Pirmatech deliverd various mechanical parts for the kart, including the components for the ultracapacitor box which were produced by waterjet cutting.

Plastimetal is specialised in powdercoating of metal parts, and provided the chassis with a layer of highly resistant powercoated paint.

VITO is the Flemish institute for technological research. VITO provided us with testing infrastructure to analyse the performance of the fuel cell system.

Donaldson Company Inc. is a leading worldwide provider of filtration systems and replacement parts. Founded in 1915, Donaldson is a technology-driven company committed to satisfying customer needs for filtration solutions through innovative research and development. Donaldson serves customers in the industrial and engine markets, including dust collection, power generation, specialty filtration, compressed air purification, off-road equipment, industrial compressors, heavy trucks and light vehicles.