Synhelion and Pilatus Enter Strategic Partnership to Enhance Solar Fuels Scalability

Synhelion and Pilatus Aircraft Ltd forge a strategic partnership to expedite the scaling of solar fuels for aviation. The Swiss aircraft manufacturer seeks to incorporate Synhelion's solar fuels into its own flight operations while also intending to provide them to its clientele in the foreseeable future. As part of this collaboration, Pilatus has acquired a stake in Synhelion, underscoring its dedication to actively reducing the fossil footprint in aviation.

Established in 1939, Pilatus Aircraft Ltd stands as the largest aircraft manufacturer in Switzerland. Over the years, Pilatus has successfully designed, constructed, and distributed over 4,400 aircraft globally. Looking ahead, the company aims to integrate Synhelion’s solar fuel not only into its own aircraft fleet but also to extend the option to its customers. This initiative will empower travelers to actively reduce the fossil footprint of their air travel by utilizing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

In April 2024, Pilatus further solidified its commitment to sustainable air travel by becoming a shareholder of Synhelion as part of the partnership. This move underscores the aircraft manufacturer's enduring dedication to fostering the sustainable evolution of aviation.

Hansueli Loosli, Chairman of the Pilatus Board of Directors, highlights, "Pilatus has prioritized sustainability and energy efficiency for numerous years, evident in our production practices and infrastructure developments. We firmly believe that sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will play a crucial role in the future of aviation, and we are eager to make a significant contribution in this regard."

Markus Bucher, CEO of Pilatus, further comments, "We have full confidence in the potential of solar fuels technology as the most effective means to rapidly decarbonize air travel. We are thrilled to pioneer alongside Synhelion, making a significant stride toward enhancing sustainability in aviation."

Philipp Furler, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Synhelion, expresses, "We take great pride in having Pilatus, a prominent manufacturer of turboprop and jet aircraft, as both a partner and shareholder. In the coming years, we are dedicated to collaborating wholeheartedly to expand the global scale of our solar fuels initiative."

Synhelion and Pilatus will disclose the specifics of upcoming fuel deliveries in the following months. Their shared objective is to introduce sustainable solar fuels to Pilatus' entire customer fleet over the next decade.

Synhelion is presently in the process of scaling up its technology for the creation of sustainable synthetic fuels. In Jülich, Germany, the company is in the process of constructing "DAWN," the world's inaugural industrial demonstration facility for solar fuel production. Synhelion aims to inaugurate the plant this year and commence production of initial fuel quantities for demonstration purposes.