West Midland-based companies' alliance envisions forming a green aviation industry program

A triad formed in the West Midlands where PyroGenesys, Impression Technologies and Kew Projects will indulge in a £ 1.3 million pilot programme for a smoother inter-change of knowledge and experience to penetrate new markets with more significant business opportunities. The pilot programme will enhance the peripheral growth of these three companies so that they can easily suffice the aerospace and aviation demands for lightweight aircraft consuming sustainable and lesser fuel for the flight.

This 'Pivot' programme is expected to be crucial for hoisting related businesses in the vicinity since it will encourage cross-sector innovation by providing R&D grants and other intermediate technical support.

With the advent of the Net Zero by 2050 pact in Paris, many companies are moving towards sustainable approaches to welcome an eco-friendly future. Aluminium is an infinitely recyclable non-ferrous metal, lighter than steel. Therefore it is the perfect choice for the aviation industry. Another critical point which must be checked for a better transfer towards sustainability is the use of fossil fuels. Many organisations are head over heels with their innovation of waste management techniques through which they can successfully extract sustainable aviation fuels from recycled waste.

Birmingham-headquartered, PyroGenesys is engrossed in developing reactors and methodologies catalysts to transforming food wastes and wood carvings into usable energy and fuels.

The reactors will sport a size similar to casual shipping containers, which give ease in installation, as fuel can be generated near the waste resources in both modern and underdeveloped countries. The new funding will help in the development work required to alter bio-fuels into more eco-friendly jet fuels.

Impression Technologies from Coventry is a proud producer of high-speed, high-precision, complex aluminium components for detailed, lightweight structures. The company will utilise this latest funding to renew the technology it provides for the high-performance automotive sector and the aerospace industry, including developing prototype components for aeroplane seats that help eliminate the weight factor while boosting sustainability.

Kew Projects is responsible for yielding future fuels that will be important for decarbonising energy-intensive organisations like transport by converting industrial waste into usable energy. This company will mainly use the funding to ensure testing for its patent low-carbon synthetic paraffinic kerosene made from processed waste. This fuel can be further processed in refineries to gain sustainable aviation fuel that maintains the industry standards.

To top it all off, the three companies are tapping into the business expertise of Midlands Aerospace Alliance, which will give them access to prospective customers around the zone. The grants have been initiated through the West Midland Combined Authority's 'Innovation Programme', which initially accounted for almost £400,000 and was later bolstered by £900,000 in match funding.

The chief executive of Midlands Aerospace Alliance, Andrew Mair, exemplified: "We have a great opportunity in front of us to pivot our regional economy towards a greener future by accelerating technology crossovers in our engineering supercluster. The Pivot pilot is proceeding to plan, and if we can all work together like this at scale, we can help create the green jobs of the future. That's a win for the planet and the region."

The Mayor, West Midlands, Andy Street, emphasised: "The Pivot programme will help to unlock innovation in our region, enabling a stronger ecosystem to continue creating the high-quality jobs of the future."

"Congratulations to the three winning companies which draw on the great engineering heritage of the West Midlands. Technological advances are key to the future of the West Midlands, which is why I'm keen to see us grow the funding available," he ended the conversation.