Air Products supplies liquid hydrogen to space sector

Air Products has supported ArianeGroup’s engine development and testing activities since 1997, supplying liquid hydrogen and other industrial gases tailored to demanding, safety-critical operations. The new contract expands that support with low-carbon liquid hydrogen to help reduce the footprint of ground-based test activities.

Hydrogen will be sourced through Air Products’ network, liquefied at the company’s Botlek facility in the Port of Rotterdam and delivered by cryogenic truck to ArianeGroup’s Vernon site in France. It will be used to develop, integrate and test advanced cryogenic engines, including Vulcain 2.1 and Vinci for Ariane 6, the European heavy-lift launcher. Air Products’ Rotterdam-based supply chain and hydrogen safety and logistics expertise support continuity of supply for critical test schedules.

ArianeGroup is lead contractor for the Ariane 6 European launcher for the European Space Agency and has expertise in state-of-the-art technologies, from the chemistry of propellants and composite materials, to liquid, solid and electric space propulsion systems. The collaboration reflects the increasing focus across the sector on lower-carbon ground operations and resilient hydrogen supply.

“We are proud to extend our partnership with ArianeGroup and provide a dependable supply of low-carbon liquid hydrogen for Europe’s space launcher test programmes,” said Caroline Stancell, Vice President, Marketing and Growth Programmes, Europe & Africa at Air Products. “Our infrastructure in Rotterdam, combined with our hydrogen safety and logistics expertise, is designed to support reliable, lower-carbon engine testing operations.”

The agreement highlights Air Products’ capabilities in hydrogen production, liquefaction and distribution, supporting customers’ decarbonisation efforts across industry, mobility and aerospace.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/04062026/air-products-supplies-liquid-hydrogen-to-space-sector/