Innovating for a lower-carbon aviation industry
At Daher, innovation is a key lever for reconciling performance, competitiveness and environmental transition. In line with its ambition to be a pioneer in aerospace decarbonization, the Group develops new technologies, materials, processes and solutions that contribute to a lower-carbon aviation industry and a more sustainable industrial ecosystem.
Thanks to its TBM aircraft, Daher benefits from a unique experimentation platform within the aerospace industry. Used as part of collaborative research projects, it enables new technologies to be tested and validated under real operating conditions alongside industrial and academic partners. This unique asset supports both the development of future aircraft and the exploration of new solutions in aerostructures, eco-design and material circularity.
This innovation drive is notably reflected in the work carried out through CORAC (the French Civil Aviation Research Council), whose ambition is to accelerate the development of the technologies required for a carbon-neutral aircraft. Daher is currently involved in 16 CORAC R&D projects, seven of which it leads. These programmes focus in particular on lightweight aerostructures to reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, as well as on the development of more efficient and less energy-intensive manufacturing processes.
This ability to experiment under real-world conditions is also supported by Daher’s three techcenters – Shap’in, Log’in and Fly’in – which develop, test and deploy innovations that contribute to a lower-carbon aviation industry and more sustainable industrial activities.
Three innovation levers to reduce carbon emissions
Designing lighter and more sustainable products
Reducing the carbon footprint of aircraft starts with making structures and onboard equipment lighter. Daher develops new generations of composite materials, optimises part design and improves manufacturing processes to deliver lighter, higher-performing and more recyclable aerostructures for future aerospace programmes.
Preparing for lower-carbon aviation
As an aircraft manufacturer, Daher is working on several complementary levers: improving aircraft energy efficiency, advancing sustainable aviation fuels, exploring new aircraft architectures and integrating innovative propulsion technologies. The objective is to develop the solutions that will help enable lower-carbon aviation.
Developing more sustainable services and supply chains
Environmental transition also involves services. Daher develops new logistics solutions combining digitalisation, automation, flow optimisation and alternative fuels to reduce the carbon footprint of both its own operations and those of its customers.
From advanced composites to the aircraft technologies of tomorrow, we are transforming innovation into tangible solutions that will help build a more sustainable, lower-carbon aviation industry.
Designing the aerostructures of tomorrow
Within the Shap’in techcenter, Daher is accelerating the development of materials and processes for the next generation of aircraft. Research on thermoplastic composites is opening up new opportunities through lighter, repairable, weldable and recyclable materials that are compatible with future aerospace production rates. This technology is the focus of a dedicated innovation effort within Shap’in.
→ Learn more about thermoplastic composites at Daher.
Daher also leads several research programmes aimed at improving the environmental performance of aerostructures and integrating eco-design from the earliest product development stages. Innovations developed within Shap’in help reduce component weight, optimise material usage and prepare the industrial processes required for future aerospace programmes.
Among the flagship achievements is the recovery and reuse of thermoplastic composite production offcuts, with the objective of reintegrating these materials into new manufacturing cycles. This initiative demonstrates Daher’s ability to combine technical performance, waste reduction and material circularity.
Preparing the aerospace technologies of tomorrow
Innovation plays a central role in the development of a lower-carbon aviation industry.
Within the Fly’in techcenter, Daher brings together engineering, rapid prototyping, modelling and testing capabilities designed to accelerate the development of technologies that will shape the aircraft of tomorrow. Dedicated to hybrid and lower-carbon aviation, Fly’in explores, tests and matures the innovations that will define future generations of aircraft.
Daher notably relies on the EcoPulse demonstrator, developed in partnership with Safran and Airbus, one of France’s leading collaborative projects dedicated to aircraft hybridisation. The test campaign has generated valuable knowledge regarding hybrid-electric technologies, distributed propulsion and their integration into next-generation aircraft.
The Group is also continuing its work to improve aircraft energy efficiency, reduce structural weight and increase the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). The ambition is to prepare a lower-carbon aircraft while supporting the transition towards more efficient and more responsible operating models.
Reinventing logistics and services
Reducing carbon emissions also requires innovation in services and operations.
Within the Log’in techcenter, Daher develops and deploys solutions combining artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, digital twins and digitalised flows to improve supply chain performance while limiting environmental impact. These innovations help optimise transportation, reduce resource consumption and strengthen operational resilience.
Daher is also taking action on the transportation modes used across its activities. The Group is expanding the use of alternative fuels, notably through Sustainable Aviation Fuels in its flight operations and bio-XTL fuel for its truck fleet. These solutions help reduce the carbon footprint of services delivered to customers while maintaining high levels of quality and operational performance.
This approach reflects Daher’s determination to act across the entire value chain, from product design and manufacturing to transportation and operational use.
Innovation at the heart of environmental transition
Reducing carbon emissions requires simultaneous action on products, manufacturing processes, aircraft, services and supply chains.
This is why Daher leverages its expertise as an aircraft manufacturer, industrial company, logistics provider and industrial services partner to develop solutions that combine innovation, performance and environmental responsibility.
From advanced composite materials to hybrid-electric technologies, from sustainable fuels to optimised supply chains, the innovations developed by Daher are helping prepare a more efficient, more resilient and lower-carbon aviation and industrial future.
