Solvay, Ascendance Flight Technologies and Airborne join forces

Solvay (Alpharetta, Ga., U.S.), a global composite and polymer materials company, has signed a strategic collaboration agreement with aviation startup Ascendance Flight Technologies (Toulouse, France). This agreement will see Solvay, Ascendance Flight Technologies and Airborne (The Hague, Netherlands) collaborate on strategic innovation and the acceleration toward sustainable aviation solutions, leveraging their combined expertise in advanced materials and aircraft engineering.

“As the world continues to address the challenges posed by climate change, the aviation sector faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact,” states Gérald Perrin, EMEA business manager for Solvay. “We are delighted to combine our strengths and resources with Ascendance Flight Technologies in our joint pursuit to create a spearheading force for positive change in the aviation industry.”

With its extensive experience in providing advanced materials and sustainable chemistries, Solvay says it is ideally positioned to support the industry’s transition toward more sustainable aviation. Ascendance Flight Technologies is known for its work in developing next-generation sustainable aviation platforms, such as the company’s Atea hybrid electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and Sterna hybrid electric propulsion technology. Airborne is known for its industrialization of composites, combining digital automation systems as well as aerospace-qualified manufacturing services.

Solvay’s role under the collaboration agreement is targeted at delivering significant breakthrough solutions through close collaboration in these key areas:

• Advanced composite materials, structural adhesives and polymers to achieve high performance, durability and lightweighting for enhanced safety, efficiency and sustainability of future aircraft.
• Sustainability solutions integrating Solvay’s products into Ascendance Flight Technologies sustainable aviation platforms to help minimize their carbon footprint and environmental impact.

According to Jean-Christophe Lambert, CEO of Ascendance Flight Technologies, “We know that no one can bring aviation to a new era alone, which is why we are collaborating with some of the brightest partners in the market to make cleaner aviation a reality together.” He notes Solvay’s comprehensive know-how in advanced materials and the company’s dedication to sustainability, as well as Airborne’s expertise in closing the gap between “fast prototyping and making the right choices for future manufacturing.”

“This partnership highlights the composite industry’s need to bring design, materials and processing expertise together at an early stage,” Airborne CTO Marcus Kremers adds. “Too often, the initial focus is on prototyping, and only later are the right materials, processes and automation defined, which unfortunately impacts the development stage. Here we are ensuring that all aspects are taken into consideration from the start, setting us up for success.”