Creating the world’s first solar-powered aircraft
In July 2016, Solar Impulse, the first ever zero-emission aircraft powered exclusively by solar energy, landed in Abu Dhabi, completing its tour around the world. Pilots Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg had traveled more than 40,000km, flown across two oceans and broken eight world records, bringing to a successful end a project that had been 13 years in the making.
We are proud to have been the first technological partner involved in this visionary project, joining fellow explorers in shaping the future of travel and reducing the world’s dependence on fossil fuels.
Our researchers, chemists and engineers left their mark on both the Si1 and Si2 planes, which carried thousands of Syensqo parts. Our solutions were used to help reduce weight and improve energy performance, playing a crucial role in making this historic flight a success. These same solutions are now used in the transportation industry to enable cleaner mobility.
The beginning of a long-lasting partnership
Our successful partnership continues through our collaboration with the Solar Impulse Foundation. Through this partnership, we aim to show how chemistry, innovation and future-oriented thinking can help us develop sustainable and profitable solutions that tackle the world’s environmental and health challenges.
