Ryze is delighted to announce a partnership with ground-breaking zero-emission aviation firm ZeroAvia, to provide hydrogen for use in engine and flight testing at its UK base at Cotswold Airport.

This latest deal further underlines the growing infrastructure in the hydrogen sector, with a raft of deals ensuring regular supply for key transport, mobility and industrial customers.

ZeroAvia, recently named top in Time Magazine’s list of the USA’s leading greentech companies, has a mission of delivering the clean future of flight through zero-emission hydrogen and electric aircraft propulsion technology. The company is focused on hydrogen-electric (fuel cell) engines for commercial aviation as the most environmentally and economically friendly solution for addressing the industry’s climate impact.

As well as flight testing a number of prototypes, including in a 19-seat testbed aircraft over the last 18 months, ZeroAvia has developed a microcosm of the Hydrogen Airport Refueling Ecosystem to support flight testing and developing concepts of operations.

ZeroAvia has signed a hydrogen supply contract with Ryze, ensuring regular deliveries to its UK testing site at Cotswold Airport in Cirencester. This will meet an increased hydrogen demand as the company embarks on extensive ground and flight testing to meet the certification requirements for its ZA600 powertrain for up to 20 seat aircraft.

Earlier this year Ryze unveiled partnerships with Vauxhall, to develop hydrogen solutions for fleet operators.

Ryze’s state-of-the-art tube trailer fleet, the largest available fleet by capacity in the UK with a variety of specifications and capabilities, will ensure maximum flexibility to support ZeroAvia’s research and testing requirements.

Sergey Kiselev, Chief Business Officer, ZeroAvia said: “Supply of cost-effective, clean hydrogen is integral in meeting our ambitions for unlocking zero-emission flight, and this partnership with Ryze will help us advance our testing and journey to certification.”

Alex Webster, Head of Business Development at Ryze, said: “The work Ryze is doing to support fossil fuel displacement is fundamental to the UK’s decarbonisation strategy.

“This partnership with ZeroAvia is another important milestone for both Ryze and ZeroAvia and cements the ambition of both businesses to make real, tangible headway towards a hydrogen economy both in the UK and globally.”

ZeroAvia’s team of over 300 employees is focused on hydrogen-electric propulsion and fuelling solutions to address a variety of markets, initially targeting a 300-mile range in up to 20 seat aircraft within the next couple of years, and up to 700-mile range in 40–80 seat aircraft by 2027.

In 2023, more than 6.7 million flights departed from European airports, emitting a total of 164.85 Mt of CO2 – the equivalent to the emissions of 80 million petrol cars in one year and a 13% rise in CO2 emissions compared to the previous year.

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