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Brussels, July 17, 2020 - Today, Solvay and Lockheed Martin announce their collaboration on a newly-signed agreement for the selection of the most innovative projects in the aerospace sector from Belgian universities.
On July 1 and 2, Solvay and Lockheed Martin, together with seven Belgian aerospace companies (Asco, Coexpair, Feronyl, SABCA, Safran Aeroboosters, Sonaca and Thales Belgium) participated in the selection of projects for the “Innovative Growth University Challenge.” Supported by the Belgian government, this initiative is part of a strategy to reinforce Belgium’s defense, industrial and technological base.
More than 20 projects were presented by seven Belgian universities, recognized for their high level expertise in advanced materials, to showcase the next generation of composite designs that will advance the aerospace industry in Belgium.
Solvay, Lockheed Martin and the seven other companies intend to make their selection of the final projects by the end of August. The projects relate to five common areas:
- Next generation composite materials;
- Decrease of production costs with out-of-autoclave technologies;
- Bonding metals and composites;
- Integration of functions, simplification of assemblies;
- Repair techniques for composites.
These projects will also include the participation of one or more members from the nine companies involved to help the teams develop high technology products for the aerospace industry.
Last year, Solvay, Lockheed Martin and the seven other companies agreed to an umbrella agreement to develop the University Challenge and its R&D projects related to another agreement between the U.S. and Belgian governments to replace its aging F-16 aircrafts with new generation air combat capability on F-35. The University Challenge projects serve as a unique and cutting-edge opportunity to support specific aerospace research and innovation in Belgium.
About Solvay
Solvay is a science company whose technologies bring benefits to many aspects of daily life. With more than 24,100 employees in 64 countries, Solvay bonds people, ideas and elements to reinvent progress. The Group seeks to create sustainable shared value for all, notably through its Solvay One Planet plan crafted around three pillars: protecting the climate, preserving resources and fostering better life. The Group’s innovative solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food and consumer goods, planes, cars, batteries, smart devices, health care applications, water and air purification systems. Founded in 1863, Solvay today ranks among the world’s top three companies for the vast majority of its activities and delivered net sales of €10.2 billion in 2019. Solvay is listed on Euronext Brussels (SOLB) and Paris and in the United States, where its shares (SOLVY) are traded through a Level I ADR program. Learn more at www.solvay.com.
