One year of progress, harnessing partnerships to tackle key challenges
As the main Technological Partner of the Climate Impulse project, Syensqo presents concrete achievements advancing the creation of the world’s first green hydrogen-powered airplane for a non-stop, nine-day zero-emission global flight in 2028. Remarkable progress and technological breakthroughs are bringing the project closer to redefining the future of sustainable aviation. Significant challenges remain on the path to success, and overcoming them through innovative solutions will be essential to driving the project forward.
A year after the announcement of the Climate Impulse project, launched by Bertrand Piccard and Ilham Kadri, CEO of Syensqo, the airplane construction is taking shape, with the completion of the cockpit, and the wings in construction. Climate Impulse teams are working every day on the planning and execution, where Syensqo brings its innovation power, and knowledge over advanced products to optimise the chances of success.
Climate Impulse has indeed reached groundbreaking milestones in lightweight airframe and wing design, with the dedication of Syensqo's teams. Several key Syensqo technologies—such as advanced composites for a lighter, more resilient structure are now onboard the aircraft. Many more have the potential to be used as well such as high-performance materials for an efficient hydrogen fuel cell, and innovative coatings and adhesives. Together, these solutions bring concrete improvement in lightweight, performance and aerodynamics, and Syensqo's technological improvements could represent an additional range of 9000 km!
Making Climate Impulse a reality presents complex technical challenges that we are committed to overcoming. Our 13,000 Syensqo employees are proud to be part of this human, environmental and scientific adventure, showcasing the power of their sustainable innovations that will drive carbon neutrality for our customers and advance humanity.
One year after the launch of the Climate Impulse project, we can already celebrate the incredible achievements of a team of pioneers united by a shared passion and vision. What began as an ambitious concept is now taking shape, overcoming countless technological challenges along the way. Climate Impulse is on its way to become an environmental flagship, amplifying our message to the world. A nine-day, non-stop journey around the globe in a hydrogen-powered airplane will capture global attention. This should serve as a powerful demonstration that efficient solutions are already within reach. Our mission is to inspire their adoption, proving that the ecological transition is an extraordinary opportunity to grasp.
With Climate Impulse, we want to demonstrate that it is possible to decarbonise aviation by using green hydrogen. We will have to master the safe storage and use of liquid hydrogen to power Climate Impulse over a long period: more than eight days. We will be increasing the energy performance of the drivetrain by removing technological barriers to the efficiency of the propellers, fuel cells and electric motors and reducing the weight of the tanks. And we are proud to be working with our main technological partner Syensqo, along with advisers such as Airbus, Ariane Groupe, Safran, Duc Hélices, EKPO, Green Gt, SDMS, AD Venta and H2 Pulse.
As second Main partner of the project, the vision and contribution of The Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) / OCP Group is essential while providing a unique opportunity to involve generations of students and researchers to pioneer and advance decarbonizing solutions.
Joining the Climate Impulse initiative underscores our commitment to a sustainable future. As we celebrate its first anniversary, we see this milestone as a decisive step to advancing green hydrogen and energy transition—essential elements of OCP’s vision for carbon neutrality and supporting Morocco’s action in global climate resilience.
At UM6P, we are committed to advancing sustainability and driving decarbonization efforts in Morocco and beyond through cutting-edge research and innovation. We are thrilled to support the Climate Impulse initiative as this partnership provides an exceptional platform for our researchers and students committed to developing key technological solutions for climate action.
2024 milestones
In twelve months, critical progress was made in key areas:
Cockpit Development: The shell of the cockpit has been built and the engineering of the inside is now complete, ensuring optimal aerodynamics and advanced communication systems, essential for efficient operation in diverse conditions.
Interior Fittings: Interior components have been finalized, including swivel seats, a bunk, a map table, and exercise aids designed to promote blood circulation. These features were tested in a full-scale wooden model to validate their functionality and pilot comfort.
Wing Spar Manufacturing: Production of the wing spar is underway, with mechanical strength and rupture testing scheduled.
Final Design Presentation: The latest aircraft design was unveiled, showcasing cutting-edge features and innovative engineering solutions.
3D Maquette Unveiling: A 3D model of the aircraft has been built to test take-off, landing, turning, and stability, providing stakeholders with a tangible representation of the airplane’s behaviour.
2025 - 26 foreseen milestones
In 2025, testing of the hydrogen fuel cells and propulsion systems will be conducted using a modular test bench, validating the performance of the propeller, electric motor, and batteries for the initial 100% electric flight phases. This test bench will also assess fuel cells and tanks before installation. R&D will focus on optimizing the aircraft’s efficiency for both short- and long-haul flights, with future studies exploring scaled applications for light aircraft carrying up to 19-20 passengers.
2026 will be a crucial year as the plane should be revealed and first test flights performed. The aircraft's assembly will take place at Châteauroux Airport, bringing together all key components, including the cockpit, wings, hydrogen tank pods, and propulsion system.
Syensqo is a science company developing groundbreaking solutions that enhance the way we live, work, travel and play. Inspired by the scientific councils which Ernest Solvay initiated in 1911, we bring great minds together to push the limits of science and innovation for the benefit of our customers, with a diverse, global team of more than 13,000 associates in 30 countries.
Our solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food and consumer goods, planes, cars, batteries, smart devices and health care applications. Our innovation power enables us to deliver on the ambition of a circular economy and explore breakthrough technologies that advance humanity.
Learn more at www.syensqo.com.
Climate Impulse is a revolutionary project led by clean technology pioneer and explorer Dr. Bertrand Piccard and composite materials engineer and navigator Mr. Raphaël Dinelli. Its goal is to achieve a non-stop, zero-emission round-the-world flight aboard a green hydrogen aircraft by 2028. Through this unprecedented adventure, this climate action flagship aims to transform the aviation sector and beyond by proposing innovative solutions in fields considered difficult to decarbonize. Inheriting from Breitling Orbiter 3 and Solar Impulse, the vision of Climate Impulse is a clean and efficient world – where innovation serves sustainability, shaping an economy powered by clean energy and marked by optimized and resource-efficient practices.
For more information: www.climateimpulse.org
OCP Group helps feed a growing global population by providing it with the essential elements for soil fertility and plant growth. With over a century of expertise and a turnover of more than USD 9 billion in 2023, OCP is the world leader in plant nutrition solutions and phosphate-based fertilizers. Headquartered in Morocco and present on five continents, OCP has approximately 20,000 employees and works closely with over 350 customers around the world. OCP recently launched a green investment strategy, dedicated to increasing fertilizer production and investing in renewable energy. The strategy foresees an overall investment of approximately USD 13 billion over the period 2023-2027, which will enable the Group to use 100% non-conventional water in 2024 (to ensure its complete autonomy, including a water desalination capacity of 560 million m3 per year by 2026), 100% clean energy by 2027 and to achieve full carbon neutrality by 2040 (Scopes 1 and 2 by 2030, and Scope 3 by 2040), while increasing the production of green fertilizers. The Group is firmly convinced that leadership and profitability are synonymous with social responsibility and sustainable development. Its strategic vision sits at the junction of these two dimensions.
For more information: www.ocpgroup.ma
University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) is a pioneering Moroccan university dedicated to developing innovative solutions addressing Africa's specific challenges and broader global issues. Focused on education and research while cultivating close partnerships with the industrial sector, fostering innovation and entrepreneurial development, UM6P is committed to training a new generation of talents destined to shape the future of the African continent.
For more information: www.um6p.ma/en
A non-stop flight around the world, emission-free
We are the first and the main technological partner of Climate Impulse, a new environmental and technological endeavor led by Bertrand Piccard, to build and fly the first hydrogen plane, non-stop around the world. That’s right, a nine-day, emission-free circumnavigation of the globe!