2 minute read - 27th May 2025
ZeroAvia to build new manufacturing facility in Scotland
A new manufacturing facility for the production of hydrogen-electric powertrains is to be built at the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS). US-based ZeroAvia is developing the world’s first zero-emission engines for commercial aviation and will advance its operations by creating a hydrogen centre of excellence and manufacturing facility within AMIDS in Renfrewshire.
The high-temperature fuel cells that ZeroAvia will manufacture in the planned facility are key to unlocking fuel cell propulsion for larger aircraft as the company develops the next generation of fuel cell engines.
The project is set to unlock millions in private investment and support hundreds of jobs within AMIDS, a collaborative project between Renfrewshire Council and Buccleuch Property. AMIDS is already home to two national innovation assets as anchor tenants: the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre (MMIC).
Hydrogen aviation developer ZeroAvia is to build a new fuel-cell powertrain facility in Scotland / Picture: Renfrewshire Council/Scottish Government
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The new facility will complement ZeroAvia’s propulsion centre of excellence in Washington State, which focuses primarily on electric motors and power electronics. The company also plans to expand its R&D and aircraft testing centre at Cotswold Airport in Gloucestershire. A £9m Regional Selective Assistance grant from Scottish Enterprise made the project in Renfrewshire possible.
Val Miftakhov, founder and chief executive of ZeroAvia, said: “Scotland has some unique advantages for ZeroAvia with strong aerospace and engineering skills, a burgeoning hydrogen sector and a clear aviation strategy with potential for early adoption of zero-emission flights. The aviation industry is on the cusp of the biggest transformation since the advent of the jet age, with entirely new propulsion systems set to power the next era of aviation – cleaner flights, better economics and better experiences for all.
“With this new facility, Scotland has a big role to play in driving this transformation. We welcome the grant award from Scottish Enterprise and the support of our equity investors that has enabled us to move into another phase of manufacturing readiness as we progress towards certification of our first engines.”
The site in Scotland will be ZeroAvia’s primary location for the production of advanced high temperature PEM (HTPEM) fuel cell stacks and supporting systems / Picture ZeroAvia
ZeroAvia’s manufacturing hub in Scotland will support the company in various manufacturing operations relating to powertrain production and testing. It will also be the company’s primary location for producing advanced high-temperature PEM (HTPEM) fuel cell stacks and supporting systems. With nearly 3,000 full engine and component pre-orders agreed with airlines and OEMs, corresponding to over $10bn (£7.3bn) in future revenues, ZeroAvia says it is advancing its production operations to meet demand.
