Japanese trading giant ITOCHU announced this month it had invested in ZeroAvia, a British-American maker of hydrogen-electric engines for aircraft, according to a company statement.

Founded in 2018, ZeroAvia describes itself as “a team of passionate innovators dedicated to bringing safe, zero-emission flight to aviation.” The company claims its hydrogen-electric propulsion systems are “the most environmentally friendly and economically attractive solution to aviation’s growing climate change impact.”

According to ZeroAvia, its hydrogen-electric engines cut more than 90% of harmful emissions, lower operating costs by more than 40%, improve air quality and reduce noise pollution in airport communities.

Under the deal, ITOCHU will serve as ZeroAvia’s distributor in Asia, marking its first investment in a developer of hydrogen engines for aircraft and a further expansion into the aviation industry. ITOCHU is part of Japan Aerospace, which is involved in aircraft sales, and of JAMCO, which manufactures materials for aircraft interiors.

According to ITOCHU, this recent investment is part of the company’s long-term goal of helping save the planet by decarbonizing the aviation industry.