Montréal – Fifteen years after signing their first cooperation framework agreement, Polytechnique Montréal and Safran have signed a contract to renew their partnership, taking effect on November 20. This new phase of the partnership, covering the period 2025-2030, will support some 20 research projects and new collaborative initiatives spanning the spectrum of sustainable aviation technology: high-temperature fuel cells, rare-earth-free electric motors, next-generation composite materials, recycling of critical metals, jet engine noise reduction, turbine aerothermodynamics, and many other innovations.

Responding to climate challenges

The aviation industry is at a decisive turning point. It has a 2050 carbon neutrality target while air traffic is expected to double in the next 20 years. The industry will therefore have to step up its carbon-reduction efforts.

Safran is already committed to this process, allocating more than 75% of its self-financed research and technology investments to improving the environmental performance of its products.

The renewal of the strategic partnership with Polytechnique Montréal is part of its technological roadmap.

Two research chairs renewed 

The announcement of the continuation of the strategic partnership coincides with the renewal of two major research chairs at Polytechnique.

Led by Professor Daniel Therriault of Polytechnique Montréal’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, the Chair on Additive Manufacturing of Organic Matrix Composites (AMOMC) develops new manufacturing processes for composite parts for the aviation industry. The chair comprises six Polytechnique professors, most of whom are affiliated with the Laboratory for Multiscale Mechanics (LM2). Funding comes from industrial partners Safran and Dyze Design, as well as the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and PRIMA Québec, totalling $5.1 million over five years.

The Chair on Multifunctional Passive Acoustic Treatments for Turbofan Composite Structures (TAPPIS) is developing new materials and manufacturing processes to for aircraft engine parts to reduce noise. Led by Professor Annie Ross of Polytechnique Montréal’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, this chair comprises seven Polytechnique professors and research professionals. It uses the facilities of Polytechnique’s Laboratory for Acoustics and Vibration Analysis (LAVA) and is funded by Safran and FDC Composites, with support from NSERC and PRIMA-Québec, for a total of $3.8 million over five years. SphèreCo Technologies, Carleton University and the CTT Group in Saint-Hyacinthe are also partners.

Multiple benefits 

The partnership between Safran and Polytechnique Montréal began in 2010 with a single project on organic matrix composites led by two professors. It now encompasses more than 40 projects spanning at least 15 technological fields. It receives significant support from Safran, reflecting our shared commitment to innovation.

Fourteen Safran entities are participating in the work, including three based in Canada. Nearly 30 Polytechnique Montréal professors are spearheading the research, supported by Safran researchers and some 15 Canadian companies. Together, they have developed a true innovation hub in Montreal.

Their work has produced more than 300 scientific publications, around 50 patents and inventions, and two spin-off companies. The agreement also allows for any discoveries to be used beyond aeronautics by non-competing SMEs, maximizing the benefits for Canada’s entire ecosystem.

Training highly skilled professionals

Since 2010, projects carried out in collaboration with Safran have contributed to the training of more than 50 students at all levels. Over the past five years, Polytechnique Montréal students have also completed some 50 industrial internships at Safran, in Canada and France, providing the next generation of engineers with hands-on experience in developing aeronautical technologies.

The vast majority of students who contributed to the projects were subsequently recruited by Canadian companies and organizations, creating a pool of skilled talent that strengthens the country’s aerospace ecosystem.

Global leadership

The collaboration with Safran has played a significant role in establishing Polytechnique Montréal as a global leader in research on composite materials, additive manufacturing and advanced aerospace technologies. This expertise has made Polytechnique a key strategic partner in the development of the sustainable aircraft of the future.

“Polytechnique’s expertise in composites and additive manufacturing, particularly in the development of new processes and innovative materials, is an important asset for meeting the challenges of sustainable aviation,” said Eric Dalbiès, Director of Strategy, R&T and Innovation at Safran. “Through this collaboration, we are accelerating the development of key technologies for the future of aeronautics. It is the synergy between two major industrial and academic organizations that makes this partnership so effective and productive.”

“Safran’s visionary commitment to fundamental and applied research enables Polytechnique to develop cutting-edge expertise that positions Canada at the forefront of sustainable aviation,” said François Bertrand, Director of Research and Innovation at Polytechnique Montréal.

 
About Polytechnique Montréal   

Founded in 1873, Polytechnique Montréal is one of Canada’s largest engineering education and research institutions. It is located on the Université de Montréal campus, the largest French-language university campus in the Americas. Polytechnique offers about 120 programs taught by over 300 professors, and welcomes in excess of 10,000 students yearly. It has produced than 61,500 graduates

À propos de Safran  

Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defence and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets. Safran is committed to research and development programs that preserve the environmental priorities of its technological innovation roadmap.

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INTERVIEWS AND MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Polytechnique Montréal 
Christian Merciari, Media Relations and Spokesperson
514 742-8586
christian.merciari@polymtl.ca  

Safran 
Catherine Malek / catherine.malek@safrangroup.com / +33 1 40 60 80 28  
Isabelle Javary / isabelle.javary@safrangroup.com / +33  7 86 10 59 16