Universal Hydrogen to set up engineering centre at Toulouse Airport

Los Angeles-based Universal Hydrogen Co, a company specialising in hydrogen-fuelled aviation, said it will open its second engineering and design centre in Toulouse, France.

It said it is leasing the Hangar B16 at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, where the new centre’s team will initially focus on the development of a liquid hydrogen capsule for Universal Hydrogen’s modular storage and logistics system.

“As it grows through the course of 2022, the engineering center will also support the development of conversion kits for retrofitting regional aircraft with a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain, as well as development of modular hydrogen storage technology for single aisle, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and other applications”, Universal Hydrogen said.

The company has brought Pierre Farjounel, most recently the head of digital continuity & information systems at Airbus SE (EPA:AIR), to serve as general manager of its European operation.

Farjounel joins the already stacked lineup of former Airbus’ high-level executives at his new company, including Tom Enders, former Airbus CEO, and John Leahy, former Airbus Chief Commercial Officer, who both serve on Universal Hydrogen’s strategic advisory board.

Universal Hydrogen’s co-founder and CEO Paul Eremenko used to serve as the CTO of Airbus.

In addition to Toulouse, Universal Hydrogen will continue to work with other regions in France, Germany and the Netherlands, to further accelerate its engineering and manufacturing capabilities, the company added.

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