Vinatek announced on the 4th that it has signed a MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) supply contract with MTU Aero Engines (hereinafter MTU), a leading German aircraft engine manufacturer, for the development of fuel cell systems for aircraft.
This collaboration marks the first full-scale event since MTU selected Vinatek as a key partner for the development of aircraft fuel cell systems at last year's ILA Berlin Air Show.
MTU is a top-tier global company in the aircraft engine sector, with major aircraft manufacturers as its clients. Recently, in line with the trend toward eco-friendly energy transition, MTU has been promoting the FFC (Flying Fuel Cell) project to develop electric powertrains for aircraft. The plan is to develop a 600kW-class hydrogen fuel cell system for aircraft by 2027.
Through this contract, both companies have concretized a mutual research and development (R&D) cooperation plan for the FFC project, which aims to produce 130 hydrogen fuel cell aircraft annually in the mid to long term. Once the project is fully underway, it is expected that the demand for MEA will reach several hundred billion won annually.
An MTU official stated, "Through cooperation with Vinatek, we will expand and optimize hydrogen fuel cell technology by developing optimized products tailored to the unique characteristics of commercial aircraft," adding, "We will pioneer sustainable solutions."
Recently, Vinatek was selected for the ‘Submarine Hydrogen Fuel Cell System Research and Development’ project by the Defense Technology Promotion Research Institute under the Defense Acquisition Program Administration through a consortium with a major domestic company. Taking charge of developing the core component MEA, Vinatek is solidifying its leading position across various sectors of the hydrogen fuel cell market, including ships, vehicles, buildings, and aircraft.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
