US fuel cell manufacturer Plug Power and France-based Air Liquide subsidiary Axane are creating a joint venture to develop the European market for hydrogen-powered forklifts.

Plug Power CEO Andy Marsh describes Air Liquide as a leading global provider of hydrogen and an "ideal partner to help spearhead its expansion into the European market".

"We look forward to working hand-in-hand with Air Liquide to bring the economic and environmental benefits of our fuel cell products to the European material handling industry," Marsh says.

The joint venture will offer a package composed of Plug Power's GenDrive fuel cell and hydrogen supplied by Air Liquide filling stations to the European market.

Air Liquide forecasts the potential hydrogen-powered forklift market in Europe to be around 10,000 units by 2015.

François Darchis, Air Liquide's senior vice president, says the partnership enables the company to contribute to the deployment of hydrogen forklift fleets in Europe. "The forklift market prefigures the future development of the hydrogen-powered automobile market. Hydrogen is one of the solutions that offer a response in the short-term to the challenges of sustainable mobility."

Air Liquide established Axane in 2001 as a subsidiary dedicated to developing fuel cells. Axane designs, manufactures and commercialises fuel cells.