ZeroAvia, a developer of zero-emission solutions for commercial aviation, has announced the acquisition in full of the fuel cell stack innovator Hypoint. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
In a press release the company reports “The acquisition adds HyPoint’s advanced high-temperature fuel cell technology—a promising avenue for increasing power output and energy density of aviation fuel cell powertrains—to ZeroAvia’s already leading expertise in developing the full powertrain to enable hydrogen-electric flight.
“All 40 HyPoint team members will be integrated into ZeroAvia, working across the R&D locations in Kemble, Gloucestershire, and HyPoint’s location in Sandwich, Kent. HyPoint’s CEO Alex Ivanenko joins ZeroAvia as GM for VTOL and New Segments, to develop ZeroAvia’s rotorcraft business applications, and to explore other applications outside ZeroAvia’s core focus on fixed-wing commercial aviation.
“All of HyPoint’s engineering team will join ZeroAvia’s Hydrogen Power Generation Systems (PGS) division led by Rudolf Coertze, CTO Hydrogen, combining two rare sets of exceptionally talented fuel cell researchers and engineers working in the field today.
“The two companies have worked closely together on co-developing and testing HTPEM fuel cell technology as part of ZeroAvia’s powertrain development over the last couple of years, with HyPoint relocating the bulk of its R&D into the UK in February 2022 to support the partnership. HyPoint has garnered recognition as an innovator developing technology with the potential to significantly expedite the introduction of fuel cell propulsion into larger aircraft. This early partnership was part of ZeroAvia’s work within the HyFlyer II programme, supported by the UK’s ATI Programme.
“This new development comes on the heels of the announcement of a major deal with ZeroAvia’s long-term fuel cell partner PowerCell which will see the serial delivery of hydrogen fuel stacks beginning in 2024. Together, these moves will allow ZeroAvia to progress both LTPEM and HTPEM technologies for relevant aviation applications from a strong position of leadership.
“ZeroAvia has identified hydrogen-electric powertrains—where fuel cells use hydrogen in a chemical reaction to generate electricity that powers electric motors—as the most practical, economical, and farthest reaching solution for reducing aviation’s climate change and clean air impacts.”
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(Image: ZeroAvia)