U.S. industrial gases producer Air Products has agreed to cooperate with Japan's Nippon Steel & Sumkin Pipeline & Engineering (NSPE) on jointly developing the Japanese hydrogen fueling infrastructure.

Along with being a stepping stone for both companies to enter the market, the agreement is aimed at establishing a long-term marketing and supply relationship between the partners. The Japanese government is planning to install 100 hydrogen fueling stations by 2015, increasing the number to 1,000 by 2025.

As part of the agreement still to be finalized, Air Products expects to supply its "SmartFuel" brand hydrogen fueling station technology as well as the fueling protocol license, infrastructure engineering and design. NSPE would provide engineering, construction, and adapt the technology for the Japanese market.

The U.S. company, which claims to be the leading global supplier of hydrogen to refineries for production of transportation fuels, will operate in Japan through its wholly owned subsidiary Air Products Japan.

Air Products said it has patented technology to practice the SAE J2601 fueling protocol as well as concepts that incorporate modular and expandable technology, and a portfolio of global patents.