Sustainable aerospace

Europe is in the sustainability vanguard in terms of targets, regulations and technological developments and is committed to a sustainable mobility system, of which aerospace is an integral part. This offers opportunities for the Dutch aerospace sector to develop new, green technologies and export sustainable solutions. The sector’s value chain is crucial in ensuring Europe’s strategic autonomy in mobility technologies and plays a part in numerous advanced technologies with spill-overs that are relevant to other sectors.

In Europe, we are striving towards a climate-neutral society by 2050. The aviation industry plays an important role in this; the ambitions of the sector were set out in the Aviation Policy Memorandum and in Destination 2050. If climate neutral aviation is to become a reality, we need to commit to the development of radical innovations, at both the technological and societal level.

For NLR’s strategic direction this means that stronger links for sustainability must be forged with other high-tech sectors. On top of that, we are seeing that green technology in the civil domain can present opportunities for improving the autonomy and sustainability of the Ministry of Defence and can therefore be dual use. NLR can play a role in this.

Henk van Dijk, Vice President of the Aerospace Operations division

‘Europe is committed to becoming a climate neutral society by 2050. The aviation sector has committed itself to contributing to this. This means that there is a need for radical innovations such as drastically reducing CO₂ emissions, developing cleaner fuels and improving aircraft efficiency. By linking aerospace with other modes of transport, we can achieve a fully sustainable mobility system and ensure that innovations for sustainability also boost profitability and competitiveness at the same time. NLR proactively seeks partnerships and collaborations with stakeholders across the aviation industry and beyond in the Netherlands and Europe to jointly develop and share knowledge’.

Discover the strategic programmes related to this theme

Climate-neutral aviation

Programme Climate-neutral aviation In 2050 the aviation industry, with its knowledge and economic influence, must comply with and contribute towards achieving the Dutch and European climate objectives and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.  Aviation will be cleaner and quieter, thereby having less of an impact on the climate and environment. With the programme Climate-neutral […]

Impact on people and society

Programme Impact on people and society In today’s world, aviation plays an important role in transporting goods and connecting people all over the globe. At the same time, aviation causes noise nuisance and greenhouse gas emissions contribute to global warming. Due to its own success, the sector has moved further away from society and the […]

Development of air vehicles

Programme Development of air vehicles NLR wants to enable the Dutch aerospace industry to have a competitive share from 2025 – 2050 in the development and production of the next generation low emission aircraft, in programmes for the next generation helicopters, and in new flight concepts. NLR also wants to build knowledge to support Defence […]

Operational availability of materiel

Programme Operational availability of materiel NLR supports Defence, the aviation industry, MRO and maintenance companies and airlines in the development and application of innovative, sustainable solutions for maintenance, inspection and repair. In this way, NLR wants to contribute to the optimisation of the material availability and the cost effective use of aircraft, helicopters, drones, wind […]

Unmanned and autonomous 

Programme Unmanned and autonomous  Drones are a key enabler for innovative solutions to tackle rapidly changing societal, economic and security challenges. For the Netherlands to play a role in this, the government and Dutch industry, including start-ups and SMEs, must be able to create innovative drone solutions, platforms and systems in a safe, sustainable and […]

Emerging technologies

Programme Emerging technologies This programme is the breeding ground for new technologies and ideas within NLR. NLR invests in technologies of the future that are widely deployable for NLR and that could have a huge impact on the way that we live, learn, work and produce. Consider, for instance, virtualisation, digitisation, automation, AR/VR, (explainable) artificial […]