It is a new phase that confirms itself for a sector in full transition. The third phase of the WINGS Innovation Partnership has been approved by the Walloon Government. This support from the Walloon Region will make it possible to continue intensive research to decarbonise aeronautics while strengthening the position of Walloon players active in this sector.
Herstal, 10 January 2024 - Willy Borsus, Deputy Prime Minister and Walloon Minister for the Economy; Yves Delatte, CEO of Sonaca, and François Lepot, CEO of Safran Aero Boosters, together with their 17 partners, launch the third phase of the Innovation Partnership, named WINGS (Walloon Innovations for Green Skies). Motivated by the results achieved over the past three years, these partners in the Walloon aeronautics sector have renewed their commitment to move towards a low-carbon aircraft by 2035 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
The ambitious milestones for decarbonising aeronautics, targeting a 30% reduction in fuel consumption by 2035 and carbon neutrality by 2050, require the development and validation of breakthrough technological innovations, both in products and in their manufacturing processes. The WINGS Innovation Partnership has, for the past 3 years, contributed to technological developments within partner companies, SMEs and research centres. The third funding phase will allow the maturation of these technologies to continue.
“Wallonia, alongside its industrial players and researchers, wants to take up the challenge of decarbonised aviation. Given the success of the first two phases of the WINGS research and innovation project, the Walloon Government has decided to continue the project by granting €20 million in support for this 3rd phase, in addition to the €80 million already allocated previously.
The ambition of the WINGS project is, in addition to preserving our leadership and expertise, to enable the Walloon aeronautics industry to continue its research efforts, on the one hand to improve its position against foreign competition and, on the other, to anticipate its contribution to achieving decarbonisation targets.”, says Willy Borsus, Deputy Prime Minister and Walloon Minister for the Economy.
“A great deal of industrial activity is expected for the replacement of the aircraft fleet. Thanks to WINGS, Wallonia is aligning itself with the European and global framework for decarbonising aeronautics. We are on the right track with 29 patents filed, but there is still much to do. I thank the Walloon Government for supporting the acceleration and broadening of research in order to achieve
achieve the necessary technological breakthroughs. Our next challenges will be the manufacturing and testing of prototypes and demonstrators based on these breakthrough technologies and their integration into the engines.”, adds François Lepot, CEO of Safran Aero Boosters.
“Through the WINGS innovation partnership, 19 Walloon partners have been working together for more than 3 years, with the support of the Walloon Government, for the future of the aeronautics sector. The challenges our sector must meet in the coming years are enormous, particularly in moving towards zero carbon. Only greater collaboration between all players, large and small, public and private, will enable us to meet these challenges together”, emphasises Yves Delatte, CEO of Sonaca.
WINGS
WINGS (Walloon Innovations for Green Skies) is an innovation partnership project funded by Wallonia for a period of four years and 8 months. Around twenty partners are joining forces in R&D around the ecological and digital transition of the aeronautics sector, with the aim of actively contributing to the EU's “Green Deal”. Skywin, the Walloon competitiveness cluster for aeronautics and space, supports the Walloon administration in steering this activity.
SAFRAN
Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aeronautics (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defence. Its mission: to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 83,000 people, with revenue of €19.0 billion in 2022, and holds, alone or in partnership, leading global or European positions in its markets. Safran is committed to research and development programmes that uphold the environmental priorities of its technological innovation roadmap. Safran is listed on Euronext Paris and is part of the CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 indices.
Safran Aero Boosters designs, develops and produces low-pressure compressors (a subsystem of the aircraft engine), oil equipment and test benches for aeronautical and space propulsion. The company equips most civil aircraft in service as well as the European Ariane launcher. A subsidiary of Safran (F-67% of the capital), Safran Aero Boosters also has the Walloon Region (B-31%) and the Federal Holding and Investment Company (B-2%) as shareholders.
SONACA
Sonaca is an international Belgian company active in the development, manufacturing and assembly of integrated structures for civil, military and space markets. With revenue of over half a billion dollars and 3,600 employees, we are a leader in the aerospace industry. Through our subsidiaries and production sites in Europe, North America and South America, we provide fully integrated solutions to our customers' most complex challenges, from design to manufacturing and engineering.
Every time you travel by plane anywhere in the world, it is likely that Sonaca is with you.