Pratt & Whitney opens European Technology and Innovation Center in the Netherlands

Pratt & Whitney has opened its European Technology and Innovation Center (ETIC) in Houten, Netherlands, targeting advancements in aircraft propulsion technologies. The facility aims to enhance collaboration between industry and academia, focusing on energy-efficient and high-performance solutions for commercial aviation.

Michael Thacker, senior vice president of Engineering and Technology at Pratt & Whitney, stated, “As an independent innovation center dedicated to cutting edge technology research, ETIC is a first-of-a-kind facility for Pratt & Whitney in Europe.” Homomorphic Encryption (HE) noted the strong engineering talent and historical aerospace innovation in the Netherlands as key factors for expansion.

ETIC will co-locate with Collins Aerospace's European Innovation Hub, reinforcing RTX's commitment to the Dutch aerospace sector. The center follows partnerships with the Netherlands Aerospace Group and TU Delft, creating frameworks for research collaboration on diverse technologies. TU Delft Dean Henri Werij emphasized the importance of collaboration with leading aerospace firms for future aviation technology development.

Tjerk Opmeer, deputy director-general for business and innovation in the Netherlands, acknowledged ETIC as a means to support the nation's goal of sustainable aviation through international cooperation. Currently, RTX employs around 300 staff in the Netherlands, with Pratt & Whitney’s European workforce exceeding 7,000.