About us
The Future is Hydrogen. We Make it Happen.
Hydrogen has the potential to transform our world, and at HYCCO, we turn that potential into reality.
Based in Toulouse, France, we are a mission-driven company dedicated to designing and industrializing advanced components that make hydrogen technologies viable, scalable, and sustainable.
Our mission is clear: to accelerate a realistic energy transition through innovations that deliver measurable impact in the fight against climate change.
Our values
Our values guide every decision we make.
Sustainability
Eco-design and responsible sourcing for a cleaner future.
Pragmatic Innovation
Fewer promises, more proof.
Transparency & Integrity
Openness, honesty, and trust at every step.
Collaboration
Partnership and teamwork with clients and stakeholders.
Inclusion
Diversity, well-being, and fairness in everything we do.
Dynamism & Excellence
Agility and rigor in a fast-moving sector.
Our vision
To become a leading global player in the hydrogen ecosystem, recognized for our unique technology, reliable industrial solutions, and strong collaborations.
Rooted in France and connected to the world, we invest locally to strengthen industrial expertise and resilience, while shaping international partnerships that transform the energy landscape.
Our goal is to accelerate a real and lasting hydrogen transition that powers a sustainable future for all.
History
From Research to Real-World Impact
Every milestone has brought us closer to turning innovation into impact, combining research, partnerships, and industrial growth to advance the hydrogen economy..
2017
Inception
Romain Di Costanzo began exploring the potential of carbon fiber bipolar plates for the hydrogen industry. Encouraged by leading experts in the field, he received early recognition for his idea and was incubated at IMT Mines Albi, supported by the Institut Clément Ader. Together with advanced composite manufacturing expert Olivier De Almeida, he demonstrated the first potential of the technology.
2018
First Proof of Concept
Alain Fontaine joined the project as Technical Director. Alongside Romain, they built the first proof of concept and assembled a fuel cell stack, confirming the technology’s potential for PEM fuel cells.
2019
Creating HYCCO
The promise of the technology led Romain, Alain, and Ludovic Barbès — who joined as CFO — to found HYCCO. The team further developed the concept, pivoting from pure R&D toward industrialization.
2020
First Breakthrough
Development of the first full-size carbon fiber bipolar plate prototypes: the material demonstrated its ability to significantly increase the power density of Low-Temperature PEM fuel cell stacks, while also proving compatibility with High-Temperature PEM applications.
2021
Building Trust
HYCCO established strategic industrial partnerships in heavy mobility and energy, confirming the relevance of its innovation. The company became a laureate of the ADEME i-Nov program and, alongside its first fundraising round, secured €1.7M to deploy a prototype production line.
2022
First strategic partnership
Hyco partners with Datwyler Group to deliver fully integrated and sealed bipolar plates to customers
2023
Industrial Recognition
HYCCO is Laureate of France 2030 – Première Usine (€2M funding). A new generation of material is demonstrated, with a webthickness under 200µm
2024
Scaling innovation with Partners
- Collaboration with Pragma Industries to commercialize an ultralight fuel cell for drones (MangabHy project with ISAE Supaero & Delair)
- Winners of ADEME’s “Briques technologiques et démonstrateurs hydrogène” with Hynology (NeGerHy project – €3.34M funding)
2025
Expansion
HYCCO extends its reach across the entire hydrogen value chain:
- Electrolyzers for hydrogen production
- REDOX flow batteries for energy storage
- Fuel cells for energy generation
Our values
Our journey began in 2019, when a small team of researchers and entrepreneurs united around a clear conviction: hydrogen innovation would only matter if it could move beyond the lab and succeed in the real world.
From the very beginning, our ambition was to bridge the gap between breakthrough ideas and industrial reality. The development of our carbon fiber bipolar plates, lighter, more durable, and more efficient than traditional solutions, marked a turning point. This innovation led to partnerships with leading players in energy and heavy mobility, proving that hydrogen could rise to industrial challenges without compromise.
But our story doesn’t stop there. Today, HYCCO is expanding across the entire hydrogen value chain: from electrolyzers for clean hydrogen production, to REDOX flow batteries for long-term storage, and high-performance fuel cells for energy generation.
Behind every achievement stands a multicultural, dynamic team, united by one mission: to make hydrogen viable, efficient, and sustainable at scale.
Team
Behind every innovation is a team, dynamic, passionate, and united by purpose.
HYCCO brings together scientists, engineers, and innovators with diverse and multicultural backgrounds.
We are:
- Curious and visionary, but grounded in industrial reality
- Collaborative and inclusive, valuing diversity and well-being
- Agile and proactive, ready to meet tomorrow’s challenges
DI COSTANZO Romain
CEO – Technical Orchestration & Business Development
DI COSTANZO Romain
Romain holds an engineer degree in space sciences and has over 10 years of experience as research and development engineer in the space industry. He is at the inception of HYCCO and leads its global execution since 2017.
FONTAINE Alain
CTO – Research and Development Director
FONTAINE Alain
Alain holds a PhD in fluid dynamics and heat transfert. He has over 10 years of experience working at CNRS, the French National Centre for Scientific Research. He leads the technical development of HYCCO.
BARBES Ludovic
CFO – Administration, Finance & Industrialisation
BARBES Ludovic
Ludovic is both graduated in electronics engineering and Master of Business Administration. He has over 15 years of experience in various industries and has worked for 5 years as a plant manager. Ludovic is in charge of the business administration, the financial strategy and the industrialization ramp up.
DUCASTEL Candice
Material Engineer
DUCASTEL Candice
Candice is a mechanical materials engineer. She is part of the composite team and participates in the improvement of HYCCO bipolar plates materials. Passionate about outdoor sports, she is proud to be a supporter of development of new technologies in connection with respect for the environment.
Guillaume Deixonne
Process Engineer
MESTRE Quentin
Composite Technician
MESTRE Quentin
Quentin has nearly 10 years of experience in various industries as a research and development technician, both in manufacturing processes as well as the mechanical characterization of materials. Quentin is part of the composite teams and helps pushing forward the limits of our materials.
BRUGEAUD Lucas
Head of Engineering
BRUGEAUD Lucas
Lucas is the Head of design office and project leader. Lucas has joined HYCCO from its inception, and has grown his skills on all the critical aspects of the technology. He brings his expertise on bipolar plates design, fuel cell architecture, test bench definition, and ensure clients’ interface. Reaching over the limits is a second nature for him.
BONMORT Louis
Fuel Cell Engineer
BONMORT Louis
Louis holds a degree in a chemical engineering: water, energy and environment. He is passionate about innovation and energy engineering. He is charge of multi-physics numerical simulations to improve HYCCO’s technologies.
JULIA Alexis
Mechanical Engineer
JULIA Alexis
Alexis holds a technical degree in mechanical engineering. He has got multiple skills from computer-aided design (CAD) to fabrication (CAM). Besides his passion about mechanical engineering, Alexis is in charge of our machining department and is part of our Maker team.
NAMMOUR Elie
Head of Sales
GARCIA-GOROSTIAGA Pilar
PMO
LANGLADE Armand
BPP Technician
LANGLADE Armand
Armand holds a technical degree in innovation, materials, and composite structures. Passionate about aerospace, he is working on the qualification of HYCCO’s technology.
MENEZES Mateus
Composite Operator
GUILLOUX Allison
Mechanical Technician
PORTELLI Simon
Apprentices HIP
ROSE Caroline
Office Manager
Partners
Innovation grows stronger together.
We have built strong partnerships with industrial leaders, research institutions, and international players. They trust HYCCO to deliver reliable, scalable solutions that make hydrogen technologies ready for the market.
Let’s innovate together
Sustainability
Our Commitment: Think Different, Focus on Our Planet
We have built strong partnerships with industrial leaders, research institutions, and international players. They trust HYCCO to deliver reliable, scalable solutions that make hydrogen technologies ready for the market.
Eco-Conception: Designing for Sustainability
From the outset, HYCCO has integrated eco-design principles into our development process. We aim to minimize the environmental footprint of our products throughout their lifecycle : from raw material sourcing to end-of-life recycling.
Lifecycle Approach
- Raw Materials: We select high-quality materials from suppliers who ensure a resilient and ethical supply chain.
- Production: Our manufacturing processes are energy-efficient, and we repurpose any by-products to reduce waste.
- Usage: We design components for longevity, avoiding planned obsolescence and ensuring durability.
- Recycling: Our products are designed for easy recycling, contributing to a circular economy.
Our Business Ethics
- Environmentally Conscious: We prioritize environmental sustainability in all our endeavors.
- Trust and Respect: We build solid collaborations based on mutual trust and respect.
- Integrity: We uphold the dignity of every individual and the environment in our business practices.
- Innovation: We are driven by technological advancement, continuously seeking innovative solutions.
- Excellence: We strive for the highest quality in our products and services, constantly improving our approaches.
Sustainability in Action
HYCCO’s commitment to sustainability is evident in our product development and partnerships:
-
Sealing Solutions Development: Collaborating to develop cost-effective and high-performance sealing solutions for bipolar plates, enhancing the reliability and scalability of fuel cell technology.
-
Hydrogen Innovation Projects: Participating in collaborative projects to advance hydrogen technology with significant industry and government support.
-
Sustainable Aviation: Partnering with innovators to commercialize ultralight fuel cells for the aviation industry to power a cleaner future.