UM6P and OCP support the “Climate Impulse” project
Hibapress
The Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) and the OCP Group, world leader in phosphate fertilizers and major investor in the development of green hydrogen, have joined the main partners of the “Climate Impulse” project, which should result in 2028 in a non-stop, emission-free world tour aboard a green hydrogen plane.
The signing ceremony of this partnership agreement took place on Friday in Benguérir, in the presence of the legendary explorer and pioneer, Dr. Bertrand Piccard, president of “Climate Impulse”, which is leading this ambitious initiative, and Dr. Ilham Khadri , CEO of Syensqo, the first main partner of the project.
Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Piccard explained that “beyond the first non-stop, emission-free world tour with a hydrogen plane, the goal of Climate Impulse is to bring together leaders in innovation and key players in technology to lead the economic, industrial, and of course educational sectors into climate action.”
“The arrival of the OCP Group and UM6P will allow significant progress for this project, by involving as many students as possible, thus putting innovation at the service of sustainability,” he said. rejoiced.
For her part, Ms. Hanane Mourchid, Chief Sustainability & Innovation officer at OCP, underlined that this project constitutes “a pioneering effort in a context of the need for technological development to contribute to decarbonization solutions”.
“We are proud to contribute to this project which concretely demonstrates the opportunities to move towards a decarbonized economy” on the basis of green hydrogen, as the key to decarbonization, she said, recalling the ambition important for OCP to be carbon neutral by 2040 on all its activities and to be particularly neutral on its direct emissions by 2030, objectives which cannot be achieved without the development and use of green hydrogen.
For her part, the general director of Syensqo, Dr. Ilham Kadri, expressed her pride in welcoming the two “exceptional” partners, UM6P and the OCP Group, an industrial flagship, to the “Climate Impulse” project. and strongly committed to the decarbonization of agriculture.
“Their expertise and know-how perfectly complement our association with the Solar Impulse foundation and will allow this climatic, technological and human project to see the light of day,” she continued, welcoming the creation of this international synergy around of this magnificent project bringing hope.
As for Mr. Hicham El Habti, president of UM6P, he welcomed the contribution to this project, stressing that this collaboration constitutes “a unique opportunity for our researchers and students to work on pioneering solutions to climate challenges. », and thus promotes the transfer of skills and knowledge in Morocco.
This project will also offer the opportunity for students to work on similar projects, especially in a field as innovative as that of green hydrogen, and in which the UM6P is investing in terms of researchers, doctoral students and equipment, he explained, before concluding that “we are determined to play a key role in promoting sustainability through innovation and research”.
According to a joint press release published on this occasion, development of the aircraft began in 2022, including research, feasibility and design studies with the support of big names in the industry.
Since 2024 and the arrival of Syensqo as the first main partner, the development and construction of the aircraft has continued, within the company 49SUD, managed by Mr. Raphaël Dinelli, engineer and co-pilot of Climate Impulse alongside of Dr. Piccard, it is emphasized.
And to continue that beyond a major technological breakthrough contributing to the decarbonization of the aviation sector, “Climate Impulse” is a standard bearer of the clean technology sector, which the “Solar Impulse” Foundation highlights the vast potential in everyday life.
“Thousands of solutions exist to make our world more efficient, and tick the double box of economic profitability and environmental protection. This adventure represents a strong and powerful message demonstrating that modernizing and decarbonizing our world is possible, starting today,” adds the same source.
The contribution of UM6P and the OCP Group to this project, alongside Syensqo, thus reflects their “commitment to this vision and reflects their determination to play an active role in advancing the sustainable development objective of the UN No. 13 relating to the fight against climate change, as well as their desire to support global initiatives for a sustainable future,” reads the press release.
This collaboration aims to highlight Morocco’s potential as an emerging leader in the field of green hydrogen, and to demonstrate its major role in the development of sustainable and innovative solutions, on an international scale.
Through this agreement, UM6P and the OCP Group will, along with Syensqo, be “essential players in the process of resolving the technical challenges associated with Climate Impulse, including in particular the management of the extreme temperatures required to maintain liquid hydrogen at -253° C throughout the estimated nine days of flight.”
In addition, they will be involved in the design and manufacture of suitable thermal tanks. In addition to these crucial aspects, the three partners will also explore and develop other innovative solutions to ensure the success of this project.
