3M and xperion announced an agreement to develop a new line of 3M-branded compressed natural gas (CNG) tanks for use in the heavy-duty transportation industry. The tanks will integrate 3M’s Matrix Resin technology with xperion’s engineering and proprietary design technology. A new xperion facility, currently being constructed near Columbus, Ohio, in the city of Heath, will deliver production of these new tanks starting later this year.

“Our mutual goal is to bring superior value to customers in order to accelerate the industry’s adoption of CNG,” said Rory Yanchek, vice president and general manager for 3M’s Aerospace & Commercial Transportation Division. “Many other companies in this space have limited capabilities, but xperion brings broad composites experience and deep manufacturing knowledge on a global scale.”

“The location of this new facility is significant—it will be the closest source of supply of Type 4 tanks for multiple heavy-duty OEM manufacturers,” said Sean Ellen, general manager of xperion. “Combine this dedicated facility with 3M’s pipeline of materials and technologies and our skilled engineering and design team in Kassel, Germany, and we believe we have a solution that will deliver superior value to customers.”