Airbus opens hydrogen centre in the Metropolitan Region of Hamburg

ZEROe Development Centre in Stade will further advance zero-emission aviation. Hydrogen passenger aircraft planned for 2035

How can lightweight hydrogen systems be produced cost-effectively using fibre composite materials? The European aerospace group, Airbus, primarily wants to examine this question in its newly-founded ZEROe Development Centre (ZEDC) for hydrogen technologies in the Metropolitan Region of Hamburg (Stade). The aim is to advance the development of system technologies made from composite materials for liquid hydrogen.

Broader ecosystem for composites research and development
“Establishing a ZEDC for composites in Germany consolidates our research and development presence in the country and ensures that some of the best experts are involved in supporting our decarbonisation ambition from the outset,” says Sabine Klauke, Chief Technical Officer at Airbus. In addition, the ZEROe Development Centre will benefit from a broader ecosystem for composites research and development, such as the Airbus subsidiary, Composite Technology Centre (CTC GmbH), and CFK Nord in Stade, as well as from other synergies from aerospace and maritime activities, according to Klauke.

Airbus plans hydrogen-powered aircraft by 2035
The technological development will encompass product and industrial competencies, from component manufacturing, through assembly, to testing methods for the production of liquid hydrogen tanks (LH2) made from composite materials. This tank will be developed together with other European Airbus sites. The ZEDC is supported by publicly funded projects. Its link-up with the planned Hydrogen Innovation and Technology Centre (ITZ) in northern Germany is also intended to contribute to the decarbonisation of the aviation industry. As part of a network of development centres for zero-emission aviation technologies, ZEDC Stade will expand the existing activities of the Airbus sites in Bremen, Nantes, Madrid and Filton (GB), in order to launch a hydrogen-powered aircraft by 2035.