Solvay to supply composites, adhesives to Italy’s aircraft maker Novotech

LONDON (ICIS)–Solvay is to supply Italian aircraft maker Novotech with thermoset, thermoplastic composites, and adhesive materials, the Belgium-headquartered chemicals major said on Thursday.

The deal would also include the creation of a technical support team assisting Novotech’s manufacturing of its hybrid landing aircraft series, named Seagull.

Financial details were not provided.

“The Seagull is the first two-seater aircraft featuring carbon fibre composite components manufactured via Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) rather than via manual processes,” said Leonardo Lecce, CEO of Novotech.

Seagull’s manufacturing includes many composite materials, which allows for an automatic folding wing system capable of landing and taking off from lakes and sea, according to Solvay.

Solvay is to supply Novotech with its resin systems branded MTM 45-1 and CYCOM 5320-1; both products have been certified by the US’ National Center for Advanced Materials Performance (NCAMP).

The Belgium chemicals manufacturer added that the deal with Novotech would allow it to gain market share in the urban air mobility (UAM) sector.

It added that it would also be supplying composite and adhesive materials for Novotech’s project to develop a fully electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.