25 Jul 2024

Syensqo and Orbex sign collaboration agreement to develop next-generation space launch systems

The partnership will drive advancements in performance, durability and reuse of orbital space launch systems

Alpharetta, July 25, 2024 - Syensqo, a global provider of advanced materials, and Orbex, a leader in private space launch services, signed a strategic collaboration agreement to enhance the development and deployment of next-generation aerospace technologies. Syensqo and Orbex will collaborate on the integration of Syensqo's advanced adhesive, composite and specialty polymer materials into Orbex's launch vehicles to drive advancements in the performance, durability and sustainability of orbital launch systems.

"We are thrilled to partner with Orbex, a company that shares our vision for innovation and sustainability in the aerospace sector," stated Marc Doyle, Business Executive Vice-President of Syensqo Composite Materials. "This agreement is more than just a collaboration; it's a commitment to pushing the boundaries of what's possible for space launch technology, and we are excited to contribute our advanced materials to Orbex's pioneering projects."

“At Orbex we want our suppliers to align with our company values of having a strong focus on quality and sustainability,” said Phil Chambers, CEO of Orbex. “Our partnership with Syensqo will enable us to develop one of the most advanced, low carbon, high performance micro-launch vehicles in the world, offering the small satellite industry flexible, dedicated launches, directly from the UK.”

Through close technical collaboration involving support from Syensqo’s Heanor Application Center and extensive test lab capability, this partnership will focus on furthering the adoption of advanced materials into the most challenging applications for syensqo.com 1 space launch systems, with a focus on weight reduction, thermal resistance and enhanced structural integrity.

Syensqo has a rich legacy as a supplier of high performance materials for space and launch systems that deliver reliable, best-in-class performance while withstanding harsh conditions. Our involvement in the space industry spans many decades and, as the space industry continues to evolve, so does Syensqo’s advanced materials offering.

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Notes for editors

About Syensqo
Syensqo is a science company developing groundbreaking solutions that enhance the way we live, work, travel and play. Inspired by the scientific councils which Ernest Solvay initiated in 1911, we bring great minds together to push the limits of science and innovation for the benefit of our customers, with a diverse, global team of more than 13,000 associates in 30 countries.

Our solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food and consumer goods, planes, cars, batteries, smart devices and healthcare applications. Our innovation power enables us to deliver on the ambition of a circular economy and explore breakthrough technologies that advance humanity.

Learn more at www.syensqo.com

About Orbex
Orbex is a UK-based spaceflight company with headquarters, production and testing facilities in Scotland and design and testing facilities in Denmark. Orbex staff members have professional backgrounds with NASA, ESA and several commercial spaceflight organizations. The company is funded by the Scottish National Investment Bank, two of the UK’s largest venture capital funds, BGF and Octopus Ventures, two of Europe's largest venture capital funds, Heartcore Capital and the High-Tech Gründerfonds, as well as strategic investors Elecnor, parent company of Deimos Space, and Jacobs, the largest services supplier to NASA. The company has won more than a dozen R&D contracts from a wide variety of bodies, including the UK Space Agency (UKSA), the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission Horizon 2020 programme.

In 2022, Orbex signed a lease with development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for the spaceport location on land on the A’ Mhoine peninsula in north-west Sutherland. Orbex will oversee the construction and assume full operational management of the new facility. The 10-acre launch site will become the long-term ‘home’ spaceport of Orbex and will see the launch of up to 12 orbital rockets per year, carrying satellites into low Earth orbit.

Learn more at www.orbex.space