Industria de Turbo Propulsores (ITP), a joint venture of Rolls-Royce and a subsidiary of Sener, has joined in a research programme to develop high-speed intermediate pressure (IP) turbines for Rolls-Royce’s new UltraFan engines.

The €43m research programme is part of the wider EU Clean Sky 2 initiative. The project is backed by the EU with €23.5m in funding, while ITP will invest the remaining €19.5m.

ITP will design and manufacture the IP turbines and tail bearing housing (TBH), which will undergo testing for validation of the UltraFan engine.

"The participation in this programme represents the single largest investment in technology ever committed by ITP."

Planned to enter into service in 2025, the UltraFan is a next-generation engine claimed to offer 25% in fuel efficiency while reducing emissions, compared with the first generation of Rolls-Royce Trent engines.

ITP advanced engineering director Alfredo López said: "The participation in this programme represents the single largest investment in technology ever committed by ITP.

"This agreement continues to place our company at the forefront of technology research and we look forward to working with Rolls-Royce to make UltraFan the engine choice of the future."

Clean Sky 2 is a public-private partnership that runs until end 2023. It aims to reduce emissions and noise generated by aircraft.

The initiative brings together European aeronautical companies, public research organisations and SMEs to develop technologies for civil aerospace market.

Rolls-Royce chief engineer and UltraFan Technologies programme head Mike Whitehead said: "We are committed to developing engines that meet future customer requirements of even better fuel efficiency, environmental performance and reliability."

Last month, the company has signed a deal with Liebherr-Aerospace to jointly develop a power gearbox for UltraFan engines.