Pratt & Whitney is to open a new European research and innovation centre in the Netherlands.

To be co-located with an existing facility operated by sister company Collins Aerospace in Houten near Utrecht, the centre will focus on technologies for “more energy efficient and sustainable aviation”.

RTX at Houten NL-c-RTX

Source: RTX

P&W innovation centre will be co-located with existing Collins facility

P&W expects the innovation centre to open in mid-2025, staffed by an initial “core” team of engineers and scientists. This may expand in future according to programme needs.

“Our new European Technology and Innovation Centre will be a path to access the exceptional engineering talent and opportunities for collaboration both in the Netherlands and across Europe,” says Frank Preli, vice-president, technology, P&W.

“A team of Pratt & Whitney innovators based at the ETIC will contribute to the development of cutting-edge technologies for achieving greater propulsion efficiency and reduced emissions in future aircraft, whether powered by conventional or alternative aviation fuels, including hydrogen.”

P&W parent RTX in December signed an agreement with the Netherlands Aerospace Group laying the ground to collaborate with Dutch industry and academia on aviation technology research.

A separate pact between P&W, Collins and TU Delft was signed in September, enabling co-operation between the parties across a range of sustainable aviation research activities.