Innovation inspired by Sustainable Development is essential to the Group’s growth. The Solar Impulse partnership was selected at the 2008 Strategic Review as symbol to carry aloft these values and promote initiatives in these areas that will provide answers to the challenges of the future.
"To us as a chemicals and pharmaceuticals manufacturer, Solar Impulse reflected, right from the beginning, the fundamental elements of the formidable human challenge facing us. I have quoted Sustainable Development in its many aspects, and we were firmly convinced that our businesses could come up with solutions to the challenges".
Christian Jourquin,
Chairlman of the Executive Committee
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Solar Impulse represented a huge challenge, and Solvay took it on. In 2004 our company became the first main partner of Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg's solar airplane project. This partnership is proving to be a fantastic driver for our Group’s research.
Solar Impulse has led Solvay researchers to tackle several technological challenges, in particular developing new lightweight materials in an effort to minimize the airplane’s weight.
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Solvay materials in over 6000 parts
Click here to enlarge
Over 6000 parts in the airplane contain Solvay materials, with specialty polymer ball bearings, screws, washers and rivets (PrimoSpire™, KetaSpire™, Torlon®, etc.) replacing conventional metal parts.
Many of the Solvay solutions selected for the airplane come from Solvay Advanced Polymers, but other entities like Solvay Fluor have also provided important contributions. The airplane cockpit, for example, is made of a particularly light and high-insulation polyurethane foamed with Solkane® gas. That is essential for the survival of pilot, as Solar Impulse will be flying at outside temperatures down to -60°C.
Solvay Solexis is also present in the aircraft with products such as the battery component Solef® and its Fomblin® very high performance lubricant, and also with a special ECTFE Halar® film for the encapsulation of the photovoltaic cells.
Unveiling June 26th, 2009
A prototype of the Solar Impulse has been built and unveiled to the press and to the public on June 26th, 2009 in Dübendorf / Zurich. It will take to the air in fall 2009, making aviation history. For further information, look up the Solar Impulse internet site.
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The "eggshell" cockpit:
a Solvay Solution
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Solar Impulse pictures: © Solar Impulse/EPFL Claudio Leonardi
