Fuel catalysts manufacturer Pajarito Powder LLC was recently awarded economic assistance by the state of New Mexico and local organizations to support the development of a new production facility in Albuquerque, NM, according to a recent release issued by economic development officials.

Using technologies that were developed at the University of New Mexico (UNM) and the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), the company was established in 2012 by Dr. Barr Zulevi, Paul Short, and Thomas J. Stephenson.

The firm said it has doubled its sales in the hydrogen electrocatalyst market in both 2020 and 2021. Products in its portfolio are used to make green hydrogen and hydrogen-powered fuel cells, mostly in automotive and transportation applications.

“State assistance, beginning five or six years ago, has been critical. This is a relatively new commercialized technology and for major companies in Asia, this support adds to our credibility,” said Stephenson in a statement. “We have had a very close partnership with the Department of Energy and the State of New Mexico and companies in Europe and Asia see those relationships as valuable.”

Pajarito Powder is set to receive a $250,000 grant through the state’s Local Economic Development Act (LEDA), which will be used to assist the company in the relocation of its production plant. The City of Albuquerque is contributing $25,000 in LEDA funding for the acquisition and construction of the new manufacturing location.

“LEDA assistance gives us the firm footing we need to expand and add employees – to ensure sustainable growth as we move forward,” Stephenson stated.

About 50 new jobs will be created when the site opens.