The aerospace industry is currently undergoing an exciting transformation process with clearly defined challenges in the European Union to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
In this context, Aciturri continues to be committed in 2024 to the development of a sustainable aeronautical industry as a founding member of Clean Aviation, the leading public-private initiative in the EU for the development of new aeronautical technologies, with the aim of achieving a net reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of at least 30%. This goal, already set out in the first edition of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for Aviation (SRIA), was confirmed in its review at the end of 2024. As a Founding Member of Clean Aviation, Aciturri participates in its decision-making bodies, but beyond this, the company is involved in several projects to develop technological solutions aimed at reducing emissions from future aircraft in the three areas established by the SRIA and covered in the first phase of the Clean Aviation program: hybrid electric aircraft, ultra-fuel-efficient aircraft, and hydrogen propulsion.
In line with these initiatives, Aciturri will take on the role of coordinating the H2elios project in 2024. This project focuses on developing a liquid hydrogen tank concept for aviation and is part of the consortium promoting the Newborn, Herwingt and FasterH2 projects. Aciturri is also one of the founding members of the Asociación Castellano y Leonesa del Hidrógeno, a non-profit organisation established to promote the development of hydrogen technologies for energy transition and decarbonisation of the economy.
With regard to product development and improving and implementing new processes, the Aciturri team collaborates closely with customers, research centres, universities and companies in the sector. In addition to the twelve R&D&I projects the company is already involved in, a further five will be added in 2024 (see the 'R&D&I' section). These projects cover diverse areas such as liquid hydrogen storage, developing and manufacturing structures for various space launchers, and developing components for RPAs using additive manufacturing.
In the current context of industrial transformation, hydrogen has established itself as the primary alternative to fossil fuels. In this area, Aciturri has launched several projects to develop hydrogen storage and transport solutions, including in-flight storage, with the aim of facilitating the transition to long-range hydrogen-powered flights.
The company is also helping to accelerate the development of new sustainable mobility concepts. In 2024, Aciturri consolidated its position as a leading supplier of the Lilium Jet structure by delivering the fuselages needed for ground testing and the first flight of this vertical take-off and landing aircraft, which has zero emissions and is powered solely by electricity.
Similarly, the necessary industrial resources have been developed, and the required tests have been completed, to ensure the delivery of the first components for Deutsche Aircraft's D328eco™ in 2025. This aircraft is more efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly, and aims to drive the future of aviation towards zero-emission flight.
Aciturri continues to supply Eve Air Mobility, a subsidiary of Embraer, with various composite components for the wing of its 100% electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.
Aciturri also maintains its commitment as an investor in Bound4Blue, supporting the project to develop and implement rigid sails in the maritime transport industry with the aim of increasing the use of wind as a means of propulsion.
Recognizing the impact on the communities in which it operates, and in line with its commitment to reducing CO₂ emissions associated with its operations, the company developed and signed its 2024–2050 Decarbonization Plan this year. This plan is aligned with the Paris Agreement and covers all plants globally. It also sets short- and long-term targets in accordance with the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi).
The main indicator of Aciturri's environmental impact is its carbon footprint. Having begun measuring it in 2016, the company has since developed a comprehensive analysis process that identifies and calculates the full scope of its footprint. This incorporates not only direct and indirect emissions associated with electricity consumption, but also indirect emissions from activities, known as scope 3 emissions. In 2024, this calculation methodology was extended to include scope 3 for all group companies and production plants, except for the plant inaugurated in Morocco in October.
Aciturri continues to develop various energy efficiency initiatives aimed at reducing emissions (see the “Energy consumption” section).
Aciturri continues to supply Eve Air Mobility, a subsidiary of Embraer, with various composite components for the wing of its 100% electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.
