A leading project by: Syensqo (Belgium) – Subcategory: Circularity and Climate neutrality.
Syensqo embarked on a technological, environmental and human expedition with clean technology eco-explorers Bertrand Piccard and Raphaël Dinelli, for the Climate Impulse project. The initiative aims to design, develop and fly, within four years, the world’s first long-range hydrogen-powered plane, traveling non-stop around the world in nine days, without refuelling. The company is one of the main technology partners, which provides materials increasing energy density and reducing the weight while enabling liquid hydrogen storage.
Syensqo was the first and main technological partner to team up with Bertrand Piccard nearly 20 years ago for the Solar Impulse round-the-world flight. This time again, the company will put its expertise and innovation power at the service of the adventure by enabling the manufacture of the plane with tailored solutions.
Technological innovations
Syensqo’s composite materials, films and adhesives will be crucial to the manufacturing of the entire structure of the hydrogen aircraft, its fuselage and wings and other critical parts of the plane. It will reduce aircraft weight, in addition to providing high-performing mechanical and thermal properties (such as helping to maintain a temperature of -253°C for hydrogen storage). For the green hydrogen, the company’s high-performance materials (for Proton Exchange Membranes and binders for electrodes of the fuel cell) can be key enablers to confer exceptionally high-power density and efficiency, also allowing a more compact design of the plane.
European collaboration
Climate Impulse aims to develop and test in real-life conditions cutting-edge technologies that make the impossible possible! It is a European project with global reach. Parts will be manufactured and test flights conducted in France.
Future prospects
Through this project, Syensqo tackles the environmental challenge of reducing the carbon footprint of flying, recognising the need to revolutionise the sector thanks to innovative solutions. If a non-stop round-the-world flight aboard a hydrogen-powered aircraft proves possible, a strong signal will be sent to the aviation industry, and to the mobility sector as a whole.