Our Ambition
Hydrogen is emerging as a key energy for decarbonization of our society, in particular in the mobility sector.
With limited alternative to reach the net zero objective committed by 2050, the aviation industry is recognizing the central role that hydrogen will play to achieve that goal.
For aircraft as well as for airports, liquid hydrogen has the best environmental impact and is expected to be the most effective fuel in the mid to long term.
The ambition of Hydrogen Airport, is to support airports in their transition to hydrogen.
Our Services
As the first hydrogen-powered commercial aircrafts are expected by 2035, airports need to adapt their infrastructures as of today.
The organization of airports must be adapted to host liquid hydrogen and distribute it to aircrafts and other ground mobility usages of their ecosystem.
The services offered by Hydrogen Airport allow to meet all the challenges of hydrogen integration for airports:
- Estimation of hydrogen volumes required over time
- Optimal organization of the hydrogen supply chain according to the specificities of the airport and the territory
- Sizing and pre-implementation of the required hydrogen infrastructure at the airport
- Preliminary safety studies
- Cost studies and investment roadmap definitions
- Carbon impact studies
Our Expertise
Through a previous partnership initiated in 2021, our parent companies have carried-out a year-long study of the configurations of 30 airports worldwide, including Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly airports.
Air Liquide brings its expertise in the field of hydrogen, from production by electrolysis, liquefaction and storage to the distribution of hydrogen for aircraft. Groupe ADP provides its expertise in airport engineering, as well as its know-how in airport operations.
About Groupe ADP
A world leader in airport operationsGroupe ADP develops and manages airports, including Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly and Paris-Le Bourget. In 2022, the group handled through its brand Paris Aéroport 86.7 million passengers at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly, and nearly 193.7 million passengers in airports abroad. Boasting an exceptional geographic location and a major catchment area, the Group is pursuing its strategy of adapting and modernizing its terminal facilities and upgrading quality of services; the group also intends to develop its retail and real estate businesses. In 2022, group revenue stood at €4,688 million and net income at €516million.
The Hydrogen Airport offer complements Groupe ADP Airport Services, the global consulting and engineering offer in airport development, operations and management launched by Groupe ADP, to meet the transformation needs of airports worldwide.
About Air Liquide
A world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and HealthAir Liquide is present in 73 countries with approximately 67,100 employees and serves more than 3.9 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide’s scientific territory and have been at the core of the company’s activities since its creation in 1902.
More on Air Liquide corporate website
About Air Liquide Engineering & Construction
Air Liquide Engineering & Construction builds the Group’s production units (mainly air gas separation and renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production units) and provides external customers with efficient, sustainable, customized technology and process solutions. The business unit has more than 60 years of experience in the design, engineering and operation of hydrogen production and ultra-low temperature liquefaction plants and is a highly experienced international Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor covering the entire project life-cycle and executing some of the most challenging projects to meet the needs of its customers and the energy transition.
More on Air Liquide Engineering & Construction website
Meet the Team
Matthieu Piron
General Manager
Matthieu Piron is a graduate engineer from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Arts et Métiers and holds a Specialized Master's Degree in International Project Management (ESCP-EAP). He began his career in 2009 as a Transaction Services Consultant with EY. In 2014, he joined Groupe ADP as Project Manager in the International Department in charge of airport acquisition projects for Chile, Brazil, Toulouse or the CDG Express rail link project. In 2017, he founded and became Manager of Groupe ADP's internal investment fund, ADP Invest.
Sébastien Lichtle
Chief Technical Officer
Sébastien has over 20 years of experience in engineering and cryogenic technologies for the energy sector. An engineering graduate of INP Grenoble-Phelma, he joined Technip Energies in 2001 to work on the development and construction of large-scale natural gas liquefaction plants. In 2015, he joined Air Liquide Engineering & Construction as Head of cryogenic technologies related to natural gas, then Director of the associated Product Line. Since 2022, he has been Director of Development for Strategic Projects related to energy transition and hydrogen production and liquefaction in particular.