Organisers of the Stuttgart Region Economic Development Corporation's F-Cell Forum 2004 are expecting to welcome more than 500 experts in the field from across the globe, as the industry looks to make further progress in the commercialisation of the technology.

The event, which is being vaunted as a key opportunity to showcase developments and share ideas within the fuel cell sector, has been organised in close cooperation with the Baden-W rttemberg Ministry of the Environment and Transport.

DaimlerChrysler AG, which has emerged as a pioneer of fuel cell vehicular technology, and the Competence Centre Fuel Cell Technology have also played a significant role in the organisation of the event.

The opening day of the event will see the focus placed on providing an overview of the international markets for fuel cells, including a report on activities of the European Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Platform delivered by representatives from the European Commission.

Speakers from the USA, Japan and China will also give an account of the status of fuel cell commercialisation in their countries.

The emphasis will shift to practical applications of fuel cell technologies on the second day of the event, during which automotive manufacturers are expected to give a survey of the current status of fuel cell development.