Air Products to supply low-carbon hydrogen for ArianeGroup testing
Air Products has signed a three-year agreement to supply low-carbon liquid hydrogen to ArianeGroup, strengthening a longstanding partnership that supports Europe’s space launcher development and testing programmes.
The agreement will provide ArianeGroup with low-carbon liquid hydrogen for rocket engine testing and research and development activities at its Vernon facility in France. The contract builds on a relationship that dates back to 1997, during which Air Products has supplied liquid hydrogen and industrial gases for a range of propulsion testing and development initiatives.
Under the new arrangement, hydrogen will be sourced through Air Products’ production network and liquefied at the company’s facility in the Port of Rotterdam. The liquid hydrogen will then be transported via cryogenic tanker trucks to ArianeGroup’s testing center in France, where it will be used in the development, integration, and testing of advanced cryogenic propulsion systems.
The fuel will support key engine programs, including the Vulcain 2.1 and Vinci engines that power Ariane 6, Europe’s next-generation heavy-lift launch vehicle. Maintaining a reliable supply of hydrogen is considered critical to meeting demanding test schedules and supporting the continued advancement of European space transportation capabilities.
ArianeGroup serves as the prime contractor for the Ariane 6 launcher on behalf of the European Space Agency and is recognised for its expertise across a broad range of aerospace technologies, including liquid, solid, and electric propulsion systems.
The agreement reflects a broader trend within the aerospace sector toward reducing the environmental impact of ground-based testing operations while ensuring secure and resilient energy supply chains. As organisations across the industry pursue decarbonisation initiatives, low-carbon hydrogen is increasingly being viewed as an important component of future propulsion development programs.
Air Products’ Rotterdam hydrogen infrastructure plays a key role in the supply chain supporting the project. The facility’s liquefaction capabilities, combined with the company’s experience in hydrogen logistics and safety management, are expected to provide the operational reliability required for complex aerospace testing environments.
Industry observers note that the collaboration highlights the growing importance of hydrogen technologies not only in industrial and mobility applications but also in the aerospace sector, where performance, safety, and sustainability are becoming increasingly interconnected priorities.
The new agreement further reinforces Air Products’ position as a leading supplier of hydrogen solutions while supporting ArianeGroup’s efforts to advance Europe’s launch capabilities through the development of next-generation propulsion technologies.
For more information visit www.airproducts.co.uk
