This morning saw representatives of German government and industry present to a packed conference room at the Lynnwood Embassy Suites, with the theme of fostering innovation and sustainability between Germany and the U.S. in the civil aviation industry.
After a welcome and intro from Uli Fischer, Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany, Daniel Riedel presented the German keynote speech. Riedel, the head of the aviation division for the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action of Germany, provided insight into the state of the Germany aviation industry and their trade and investment infrastructure.
With $1.3 billion in annual aerospace exports, the industry is growing in importance both in Germany and internationally. Riedel said that their recovery from COVID is ongoing, as is their recovery from supply chain and energy challenges. He cited last year’s low rivers and the shipping challenges that brought on, as well as decoupling from Russian gas, as challenges that for now have been overcome.
A theme of the day, Riedel spoke compellingly about the intersection of clean energy and aviation and aerospace and what the German government and industry are doing to develop a hydrogen ecosystem for aviation.
He also referenced Germany’s research and development capacity. The Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft- und Raumfahrt, or German Aerospace Center, is Germany’s research center for aeronautics and space, along with conducting development activities in energy, transport and security. With over 5,000 staff, the Center is a model other countries and research centers, including Washington State’s evolving cluster landscape, can aspire to.
Industry took center stage after Riedel, with Belchem GmBH, Broetje Automation, Elektro Automatik pitching their products. Each business cited its green credentials, from non-toxic materials to, as Elektro Automatik put it, enabling aviation’s transition to a net-zero future by electrifying the industry.
As an event before PNAA Advance, the morning provided a great opportunity to gather insight into one country’s work and goals as part of the aerospace supply chain. Look out for more from PNAA Advance in the coming days.