California-based Universal Hydrogen is to jointly study how to develop "a green hydrogen supply and logistics solution that will enable Japanese airlines to scale their utilisation of hydrogen-powered aircraft in the very near-term" with Sojitz and Mitsubishi HC Capital.
“In order to meet aviation’s ambitious decarbonisation goals, we must collaborate in those markets with the strongest appetite for green aviation solutions; Japan is one of those markets. With our Japanese partners—all of whom are global leaders in their industries—we have built a powerful alliance to build a hydrogen infrastructure solution for aviation,” said Paul Eremenko, co-founder and chief executive of Universal Hydrogen, speaking at the California-Japan climate summit
Universal Hydrogen said the effort would involve an unnamed third Japanese collaborator as the partners try to "collectively identify, evaluate, and qualify local hydrogen suppliers and partners for hydrogen production, hydrogen module filling, module delivery operations, and more".
"Component manufacturers and suppliers will also be liaised with via this partnership, alongside Japanese government agencies and potential customers. Further, the companies will collaborate on studying marketing strategies and leasing and financing options for both Universal Hydrogen’s powertrain conversion kits and modular hydrogen capsules," the company said.
"We, at Mitsubishi HC Capital, support Universal Hydrogen’s drive to decarbonise aviation and are thrilled to be a part of the Japanese effort to solve this challenge,” said Osamu Muramoto, global head of the aviation business division.