Carlos Bernuy-López is the Spaniard who, together with his wife, left his homeland for Scandinavia, to eventually end up in Sandviken and Sandvik – the global industrial group in mining and quarrying, metalworking and materials technology.

For the past three years, Carlos Bernuy-López has been an important part of Sandvik’s R&D organization, where he works as a specialist in green hydrogen, electrolysis and fuel cells. Green hydrogen produced with renewable energy and the energy-converting fuel cell are predicted to be important pieces of the puzzle in the transition from fossil to renewable fuels. Sandvik has developed an important component for mass production of fuel cells, a so-called coated strip steel, and can thus also contribute with international expertise in this particular area.

Important part of the value chain
– At Sandvik, we do not manufacture the fuel cells, but we are an important part of a larger value chain. Our customers are greatly affected by the transition to renewable energy sources, and therefore Sandvik needs expertise and understanding of this. As a specialist, I form an understanding of the application of our products and can contribute with solutions to customers’ problems, says Carlos Bernuy-López, Senior Engineer in Fuel Cells.

Sandvik’s operations are permeated by internationalization. At Carlos Bernuy-Lopéz’s department, 20 percent of all employees come from countries other than Sweden. A crucial part in pushing the company towards the future, believes Carlos Bernuy-López.

– To be competitive in a global market, I think it is an advantage to have different nationalities represented in your company, especially in the research and development department. It is about creating openness about what is happening around, and taking advantage of what can lift the company, he says.

Found a better life in Sweden
During Carlos Bernuy-López’s three years in Sweden, the biggest challenge has been learning the Swedish language. But making yourself understood at work is no problem, as English is the main language at Sandvik. He feels that he has found the right thing, and is happy to work at a workplace that wants and dares to invest in skills like his own.

– For me, the move to Scandinavia was about finding a better life with better job opportunities than what existed in Spain. At Sandvik, the R&D organization is academically grounded, there is really a will to conduct outstanding research here, says Carlos Bernuy-López.