A global first: round-the-world hydrogen flight
Syensqo is the main technology partner of Climate Impulse, a bold journey shaping the future of zero-emission aviation. Climate Impulse is a signal to the aviation industry that clean, long-range travel is not just a dream, it's ready for takeoff. Led by Swiss explorer Bertrand Piccard and engineer-pilot Raphaël Dinelli, this global expedition, expected to take flight in 2028, will be powered entirely by green hydrogen and produce zero CO₂ emissions.
Together, we have built a collaborative ecosystem focused on delivering the critical innovations needed to make this vision a reality, from hydrogen propulsion systems to lightweight composites.
It’s a mission built to inspire change across aviation and beyond.
Project timeline at a glance:
- 2024: Adventure announcement and first aircraft parts manufactured
- 2025: Aircraft parts manufactured and assembly
- 2026: Aircraft unveiling, first test flights and permissions to fly fully electric
- 2027: Test flights and permissions to fly with hydrogen
- 2028: Endurance test flights
- 2029: Round the world record flight attempt - 9-day flight
Every phase is a test of ingenuity and perseverance, and every success brings us closer to proving that the future of aviation can be clean, efficient, and limitless.
Building the ecosystem for zero-emission flight
Climate Impulse is a record attempt, but it is equally a model for how breakthrough innovation happens through deliberate collaboration across science, industry, and academia.
Syensqo, UM6P and OCP Group have collectively invested in bringing this project to life. As the main technology partner, Syensqo provides the materials science and engineering expertise underpinning the aircraft’s most critical systems, from cryogenic hydrogen storage to full composite airframe for lightweight. Together with its partners, Syensqo is co-developing the cryogenic tank solutions required to store liquid hydrogen at -253°C for up to nine days, while also engaging the next generation of researchers and students in pioneering decarbonization challenges.
The adventure is led by explorer and pilot, Bertrand Piccard and co-pilot Raphaël Dinelli, translating the mission’s technical ambitions into a flight-ready structure. GreenGT contributes as a fuel cell system specialist, helping convert hydrogen into clean, continuous power across nine days of flight. Bringing decades of aerospace knowledge, Airbus acts as technical advisor for the airframe optimization and ArianeGroup takes the lead on the hydrogen storage technologies, each providing focused expertise across propulsion, systems and hydrogen technologies. Together, this ecosystem spans continents, disciplines and industries, united by a single goal: proving that clean, long-range aviation is ready. Together, Syensqo and UM6P have also launched a joint AI Lab bridging academic research and industrial application, developing next-generation AI technologies for chemistry and materials science that extend well beyond the flight itself.
Our role in the mission
Syensqo contributes critical technologies, including:
- Full composite airframe for maximum lightweight and efficiency
- Hydrogen fuel-cell efficiency and propulsion system optimization for power
- Cryogenic hydrogen storage at –253°C
- Specialty polymers for high-energy density Li-ion batteries
Explore our tech in depth: Composites, Hydrogen Fuel Cells, Energy Storage Systems, Battery Materials
For its significant contribution to environmental action, the Climate Impulse project is funded by The Syensqo Fund with the support of the King Baudouin Foundation.
