Solvay

Boeing has extended an advanced lightweighting materials supply contract with Belgian chemical company Solvay for its large passenger aircraft.

Valid through 2020, the contract will see Solvay provide high-performance, structural composite and adhesive materials to Boeing.

The materials have been used to lightweight Boeing’s large passenger jets such as the 737, 747 and 777, as well as current and future platforms such as the B787, 737MAX and the 777X.

The extended contract includes the delivery of specific supplier initiatives and long-term growth opportunities with existing and future qualified Solvay products.

Following the recent acquisition of Cytec, Solvay has formed a composite materials global business unit to provide technologically improved lightweighting materials for aerospace manufacturers.

"We look forward to a continued and mutually beneficial relationship with Boeing."

The new lightweighting materials are said to help in reducing fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and maintenance time.

Solvay chief executive Jean-Pierre said: "Our composite technologies provide the right balance of sustainable performance and competitiveness to meet the industry’s evolving needs.

"We look forward to a continued and mutually beneficial relationship with Boeing."

The company provides several products for primary and secondary structure applications, including flaps, doors, fairings and ailerons.

Solvay is also a partner in the Solar Impulse 2 (Si2) project, which aims to travel around the world using solar-powered batteries and is currently getting ready to resume its tour following a test flight over Hawaii, US.

Equipped with 15 Solvay products in more than 6,000 components, such as its high-performance plastics, fibres, films, lubricants and coatings, the Si2 is planning to fly for 25 days over five months.

Image: New lightweighting materials will help reducing aircraft’s fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and maintenance time. Photo: courtesy of Solvay.