‘Greener aerospace’ key to Covid-19 recovery

The second part of Protolabs’ Horizon Shift report, which involved aerospace business leaders from across Europe, found 77% of respondents expecting environmental credibility to become a key differentiator moving forward, whilst 72% indicated that new materials will be the driving force in lowering emissions.

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Nearly two thirds (65%) believe investment in emissions reducing innovation should continue, and 42% are transforming supply chains as part of the drive to cut down CO₂ output.

Senior executives from Composite Technology Center, Schiebel Group and Tecnam were among 80 senior leaders interviewed to understand how this market was looking to recover from the impact of Covid-19.

“The two crises of climate change and the Covid-19 lockdowns are changing the face of the aerospace industry,” said Bjoern Klaas, Vice President and Managing Director of Protolabs Europe.

“New types of aircraft, business models and supply chains will emerge. Survival is not going to be about a fast transition, but about building up resilience for the long-term and, part of that, is producing the next generation of aircraft: improved aerodynamics, lighter, more fuel-efficient and less polluting.”