Advent Technologies Holdings, an innovation-driven leader in the fuel cell and H₂ technology sectors, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Safran Power Units, a leader in auxiliary power systems and turbojet engines. Leveraging Advent’s proprietary Ion Pair Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) technology, and Safran Aerospace knowledge and capabilities, this new collaboration will seek to advance the development of next-generation high-temperature proton exchange membrane (HT-PEM) fuel cell technology, specifically for the aerospace sector.

HT-PEM enables more efficient heat management versus low temperature-PEM (LT-PEM). It is more adapted for applications requiring high amounts of power combined with strong integration constraints such as aviation. HT PEM is more robust and can withstand toughest conditions, such as extreme temperatures and pollution, versus LT-PEM.

The collaboration is further supported by a strong research consortium including Safran Tech (the Research & Technology Center of Safran Group), the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, Fraunhofer Institute, the French National Centre for Scientific Research, the University of Strasbourg, and the IMDEA Energy Institute. Led by Safran Power Units and with the support of Advent, the consortium has secured a grant for the Clean H₂ Partnership TC3-08 NIMPHEA Project. Running from 2023 to 2026, the project is funded by Horizon Europe. NIMPHEA Project’s main objective is to develop an aircraft-compatible, next-generation HT-PEM MEA. This involves optimizing and enhancing various components such as the catalyst layer, membrane, and gas diffusion layer. Advent’s Ion Pair MEA technology serves as the foundation for these advancements.

As part of the newly signed MoU, Advent and Safran Power Units are exploring a Joint Development Agreement for the advancement of HT-PEM fuel cells in aviation and for enhancing Advent’s supply capability.

“We are excited about the collaboration with Safran Power Units, as it signifies a major leap forward in advancing our HT-PEM fuel cell technology for the aerospace sector,” said Dr. Vasilis Gregoriou, Advent’s Chairman and CEO. “With our collective expertise, we are ideally poised to accelerate the development of next-generation fuel cell solutions, making aviation cleaner, more efficient, and more sustainable. This collaboration represents a remarkable opportunity to demonstrate the applicability and potential of Advent’s fuel cell technology in decarbonizing the aviation industry.”

Vasilis Kopelas, Advent’s Vice President of Corporate Strategy & Business Development (Green Mobility), said, “We are proud to collaborate with Safran Power Units, a major aviation partner focused on innovation, to advance the decarbonization of the aerospace sector through the development of HT-PEM fuel cell technology. We look forward to a long and highly successful collaboration, leveraging our Ion Pair MEA technology and Safran Power Units expertise, to drive the adoption of Advent’s next-generation fuel cell solutions and contribute to a greener future for aviation.”

Ghislaine Doukhan, Safran Power Units CEO, said, “We are delighted to start this exciting collaboration with Advent. By combining our strengths, we are confident in our ability to spearhead the advancement of HT-PEM fuel cell technology in the aerospace sector. This partnership perfectly aligns with our unwavering dedication to innovation and sustainable aviation.”