Airbus launches new ZEROe Development Centre in Stade for innovative hydrogen technologies

Airbus has long been a pioneer in the field of composite technologies in Germany, both in terms of materials and manufacturing processes.

One focus of the ZEDC Stade will be the development of cost-effective lightweight hydrogen systems (e.g. cryogenic hydrogen tank) with fibre composite materials such as CFRP. Technology development encompasses product and industrial expertise from the manufacture of individual parts to assembly and testing methods for the production of liquid hydrogen tanks (LH2) made of composite materials. Tank development is carried out in a joint approach with the other Airbus sites in Europe.

"The establishment of a ZEDC for composites in Germany strengthens our research and development presence in the country and ensures that some of the best experts are involved right from the start to support our decarbonisation ambition. In addition, this ZEDC will benefit from the broader composites R&D ecosystem such as the Airbus subsidiary Composite Technology Centre (CTC GmbH) and CFK NORD in Stade, as well as other synergies from aerospace and maritime activities," said Sabine Klauke, Airbus Chief Technical Officer.

The ZEDC in Stade is supported by publicly funded projects (e.g. LuFo, Lower Saxony funding and others) and is also to be linked to the planned Hydrogen Innovation and Technology Centre (ITZ) in northern Germany in order to realise the potential of hydrogen technology and contribute to the decarbonisation of the aviation industry.

The ZEDC Stade is part of a network of development centres for technologies to reduce the climate impact of aviation. It complements the existing activities of the Airbus sites in Bremen (Germany), Nantes (France), Madrid (Spain) and Filton (UK).

To find out more about Airbus ZEROe, click here.

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