The Economic Mission during the State Visit of Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima focuses on 8 important- and innovative sectors. Within these sectors we see opportunities to reinforce the French-Dutch collaboration. During our countdown to the Economic Mission, we will briefly discuss the 8 key sectors and the relevance of these sectors for both the Netherlands and France. This week we’ll take a closer look at “Aerospace”.

To both France and The Netherlands, the aerospace sector has been of high value for decades. Many OEMs are headquartered in France and aerospace is France’s largest export sector. The Netherlands has positioned itself in the aerospace industry as a leading supplier of high-tech innovative solutions and expertise.

Nowadays companies in the aerospace sector face big challenges. On the one hand they are required to meet the demand of an ever-increasing number of people around the world that wish to travel more, further and faster. On the other hand they are expected to develop equipment that is greener, safer, more competitive and more cost-efficient, all at the same time. As France and the Netherlands are important partners in the aerospace industry these challenges are of mutual interest.

The replacement of steel and aluminium in the aviation industry by fiber reinforced thermoplastic materials with superior properties makes aircrafts more environmentally friendly and more competitive. The development and application of such composites is supported by different forms of cooperation between French and Dutch companies. However, more innovation is required to bring down the costs of material sourcing, manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul methods associated with composite materials. The challenges associated with such innovations and the necessary steps in the relevant knowledge and value chains provide mutual opportunities for the aerospace sectors in France and the Netherlands.