COP26 – Quebec’s Aerospace Industry at the Heart of the Transition to a Sustainable Economy

Montreal, November 10, 2021 – On the occasion of COP26 and the day dedicated to transportation, Aéro Montréal highlights the actions undertaken by Quebec’s aerospace industry to become a major player in the sector’s global transformation.

Developing Alternative Fuels

Alternative fuels are one of the main levers considered by many industries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Convinced of the need to develop a strong value chain, Quebec’s aerospace sector has mobilized to support the establishment of players such as SAF+ Consortium. This circular economy solution captures CO₂ emissions from industrial sources and transforms them into clean synthetic fuel. The consortium recently announced one of the first electrofuel productions in North America.

“SAF+ aims to bring to market by 2025–2026 a synthetic kerosene (electrofuel) with a carbon footprint reduced by 80% compared to fossil kerosene, capturing 120,000 tons of CO₂ per year. We are very proud to have succeeded in producing a fuel by combining CO₂ from industrial sources with green hydrogen produced in Quebec, and thus significantly contributing to the sector’s decarbonization efforts,” said Jean Paquin, President of SAF+ Consortium.

“New players like SAF+ Consortium will play a decisive role in transforming the industry. By building a strong value chain for alternative fuels, we are ensuring that quick solutions can be found to reduce emissions from aircraft already in circulation. We are strengthening the value chain and ensuring Quebec’s attractiveness on these future-oriented issues,” said Suzanne Benoît, President and CEO of Aéro Montréal.

Leveraging Quebec’s Abundant Natural Resources

Quebec’s aerospace industry will also be a key player in the global transformation of the sector thanks to privileged access to abundant renewable resources (hydroelectric, wind, and solar). Access to electricity generated almost entirely from renewable sources will allow for the growth of clean power production at highly competitive costs. These resources will be major assets in positioning Quebec on future-oriented fields such as hybrid-electric propulsion and hydrogen.

Pooling Expertise to Build the Aircraft of Tomorrow

Finally, the aerospace industry can rely on its capacity for collaborative innovation. In recent years, the SA2GE program (Green Aviation Research & Development Network – Systèmes aéronautiques d’avant-garde pour l’environnement) has played a decisive role in steering Quebec’s aerospace industry toward sustainable air mobility.

In the coming months, Aéro Montréal and industry players will continue to foster collaboration by bringing together industrial and academic expertise around innovative projects.

“By coming together under the SA2GE initiative, Quebec’s aerospace industry has developed technologies—in partnership with SMEs, research centers, and universities—that will help reduce its environmental footprint, particularly by lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Quebec and internationally. For phases 1 and 2 of SA2GE, approximately 881 kilotons of CO₂ equivalent will be avoided through the combined advances of these two phases within 10 years of integrating the technologies,” said Ghislain Lafrance, President of SA2GE and President & CEO of TeraXion.

In addition, companies such as Bell Textron Canada, CAE, and Pratt & Whitney Canada, supported by the governments of Quebec and Canada, will play a key role in positioning Quebec as a hub for the sustainable air mobility of the future.

About Aéro Montréal

Created in 2006, Aéro Montréal is a strategic think tank that brings together senior leaders from Quebec’s aerospace sector, including industry, educational institutions, research centers, associations, and unions.

Aéro Montréal’s activities are made possible through the support of the governments of Canada, Quebec, and the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal, as well as member companies of the cluster.

Media contacts:

Léa Guicheteau
Aéro Montréal
514-550-7494
lea.guicheteau@aeromontreal.ca

Kaven Delarosbil
Aéro Montréal
514-743-2728
kaven.delarosbil@aeromontreal.ca