Daher Advances Aerospace Decarbonization with Hybrid Electric Innovation

Daher’s Commitment to a Low-Carbon Future: A Deep Dive into Aerospace Decarbonization

The aviation industry faces mounting pressure to reduce its carbon footprint as global climate goals become more urgent. Within this context, Daher, a French industrial conglomerate with a rich heritage in aerospace, has emerged as a leader in the sector’s decarbonization efforts. The company’s comprehensive approach goes beyond compliance, aiming to drive systemic change throughout the aerospace value chain. This article examines Daher’s low-carbon strategy, its implementation, and its significance for the future of sustainable aviation.

Daher’s commitment is not just a response to regulatory demands but a proactive business strategy that integrates climate action into every facet of its operations. By leveraging its unique position across aircraft manufacturing, industrial services, and logistics, Daher seeks to set new benchmarks for environmental responsibility within the aerospace sector. The following analysis explores the company’s history, strategic pillars, technological innovations, and broader implications for the industry.

Company Background and Strategic Foundation

Historical Context and Market Position

Founded in 1863, Daher has evolved from a shipping company into a multifaceted industrial conglomerate. The family-owned business, with an 80% stake held by the Daher family and 20% by the French public investment bank BPI, has maintained a long-term vision that favors strategic investments in sustainability. Its involvement in aerospace began over a century ago, and today, Daher stands as the world’s oldest aircraft manufacturer still in operation.

The company’s operations span aircraft manufacturing (notably the TBM and Kodiak lines), industrial services, and logistics. In 2023, Daher employed approximately 13,000 people and generated revenues of €1.65 billion. Its diversified business model enables it to influence multiple touchpoints in the aerospace supply chain, positioning the company as a system integrator for environmental transformation.

Daher’s international reach is significant, with a strong presence in Europe and North America and a growing footprint in Asia. The company’s acquisition of Assistance Aéronautique et Aérospatiale (AAA) in 2023 further bolstered its industrial services capabilities, making it a key partner for major aerospace players such as Airbus, Boeing, and Dassault.

“Daher’s unique value proposition lies in its ability to influence the entire aerospace ecosystem, from design and manufacturing to logistics and supply chain management.”

Strategic Climate Policy: The Four Pillars

Daher’s climate policy is anchored on four strategic pillars: reducing operational emissions, engaging suppliers, decarbonizing products and services, and climate adaptation. The first pillar targets a 50% reduction in operational emissions by 2032, with an interim goal of 23% by 2027, aligning with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C objective. This is being pursued through energy efficiency, electrification, increased use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and process optimization.

The second pillar focuses on supplier engagement. By 2027, Daher aims to assess the carbon maturity of its 50 highest-emitting suppliers, expanding to the top 100 by 2032. This includes gathering reliable CO₂ data and co-developing emission reduction pathways, fostering a collaborative approach to decarbonization across the supply chain.

The third pillar addresses the decarbonization of products and services. Daher has committed to developing a lower-carbon aircraft by 2027, increasing SAF usage to over 10% by 2027 and 20% by 2032, and investing heavily in composite materials research to reduce aircraft weight and improve energy efficiency. The fourth pillar involves climate adaptation, with site risk mapping and adaptation plans to be completed by 2032.

Innovation and Implementation: Driving Decarbonization

Take Off 2027: Strategic Plan in Action

Daher’s “Take Off 2027” plan integrates sustainability with business growth. The company aims for a 5% annual reduction in CO₂ emissions starting in 2025, with early progress demonstrated by an 11% reduction in French Scopes 1 and 2 emissions in 2023. The plan also includes organizational restructuring to enhance agility and embed sustainability into all business lines.

Innovation is central to Daher’s decarbonization efforts. The company operates three regional technology centers: Log’in (logistics innovation in Toulouse), Shap’in (composite materials in Nantes), and Fly’in (general aviation in Tarbes). These centers drive R&D in hybrid propulsion, advanced materials, digital transformation, and supply chain optimization, ensuring that both immediate and long-term sustainability goals are met.

The company’s open innovation program, Imagineering by Daher, and active participation in CORAC (French Council for Civil Aeronautical Research) projects highlight its commitment to collaborative technological advancement. These initiatives foster partnerships with startups, academic institutions, and industry leaders to accelerate the development and adoption of sustainable aviation technologies.

Revolutionary Technology: The EcoPulse Project

EcoPulse, a joint project with Safran and Airbus, is a hybrid-electric aircraft demonstrator based on the Daher TBM 900. In November 2023, EcoPulse completed its first hybrid-electric test flight, marking a major milestone in distributed hybrid-electric propulsion. The demonstrator features six wing-mounted e-propellers, each powered by Safran ENGINeUSTM electric engines, and has accumulated over 100 flight hours as of mid-2024.

This project has validated the technical feasibility of high-voltage (800V DC) distributed propulsion and provided insights into noise reduction, battery management, and certification challenges. The collaborative approach, with each partner contributing specialized expertise, exemplifies the ecosystem model necessary for scaling sustainable aviation solutions.

Key findings from EcoPulse include the importance of synchro-phasing electric propellers for noise reduction, the need for advanced battery systems, and the critical role of pilot assistance interfaces. These insights will inform the development of next-generation hybrid and electric aircraft, supporting Daher’s goal of bringing a hybrid-electric aircraft to market by 2027.

“The EcoPulse project demonstrates that collaborative innovation is essential for overcoming the complex technical and regulatory challenges of aviation decarbonization.”

Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Supply Chain Transformation

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a cornerstone of Daher’s decarbonization strategy. The company has committed to exceeding 10% SAF usage by 2027 and 20% by 2032. However, the broader industry faces challenges: global SAF production in 2024 was less than 1.5 million metric tons, just 0.5% of total jet fuel needs, and SAF remains three times more expensive than conventional kerosene.

Daher’s supplier engagement extends to responsible purchasing, as evidenced by its RFAR label and high EcoVadis scores in responsible procurement. The company’s 3R (Reduce, Recycle, Reuse) strategy optimizes packaging and promotes circular economy principles, while initiatives like the Terra Preta project recycle thermoplastic composite waste for use in certified aircraft components.

These efforts are complemented by waste mapping, improved sorting, and employee engagement in sustainability practices. Daher’s comprehensive approach to supply chain transformation ensures that decarbonization is embedded at every stage of the product lifecycle.

Industry Context and Future Implications

Global Decarbonization Commitments and Challenges

The aviation industry has committed to net-zero CO₂ emissions by 2050, with regulatory frameworks such as the EU’s SAF blending mandates providing market certainty for sustainable fuels. Despite representing just 2–3% of global emissions, aviation’s projected growth to 8 billion passengers by 2040 makes it one of the hardest sectors to decarbonize.

Technology development is proceeding on multiple fronts: SAF, hybrid and electric propulsion, hydrogen aircraft, and operational efficiencies. The sustainable aviation fuel market, valued at $1.7 billion in 2024, is expected to grow rapidly, but scaling production from 1.5 million to at least 16 million metric tons by 2030 remains a formidable challenge.

For manufacturers, the window for action is narrow. Analysis suggests that by 2032–2037, all new aircraft must be net-zero capable to enable airlines to meet 2050 targets. This places significant pressure on R&D investment, regulatory harmonization, and ecosystem collaboration.

Daher’s Role and Recognition

Daher’s efforts have earned recognition from the CDP (B rating), EcoVadis (bronze medal, 64/100), and Top Employer France (three consecutive years). These accolades reflect the company’s leadership in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, as well as its strength in responsible purchasing and employee engagement.

The company’s financial performance, €1.65 billion in 2023 revenue, and continued international expansion demonstrate that sustainability and profitability can be mutually reinforcing. Daher’s quadrupling of R&D investment under the Take Off 2027 plan and its focus on composite materials research further cement its position as an industry innovator.

By integrating sustainability into business strategy, Daher is not only mitigating risk but also capturing emerging market opportunities as regulatory requirements tighten and customer preferences shift toward greener solutions.

Conclusion

Daher’s comprehensive low-carbon strategy exemplifies how aerospace companies can lead the transition to sustainable aviation. By addressing emissions across operations, supply chains, products, and climate adaptation, and by investing in breakthrough technologies like hybrid-electric propulsion, Daher sets a benchmark for systemic industry transformation.

Looking ahead, the successful commercialization of hybrid-electric aircraft and continued supply chain engagement will be critical for achieving net-zero goals. Daher’s experience underscores the importance of collaboration, innovation, and integration of sustainability into core business strategy. As the industry moves toward 2050, companies that combine environmental leadership with operational excellence will be best positioned to shape the future of flight.

FAQ

What are Daher’s main decarbonization targets?
Daher aims to reduce operational emissions by 50% by 2032 (with a 23% reduction by 2027), increase SAF usage to over 10% by 2027 and 20% by 2032, and bring a hybrid-electric aircraft to market by 2027.

What is the EcoPulse project?
EcoPulse is a hybrid-electric aircraft demonstrator developed with Safran and Airbus, based on the TBM 900. It has validated distributed propulsion and advanced battery management, providing a roadmap for future hybrid and electric aircraft.

How does Daher involve its suppliers in decarbonization?
Daher assesses the carbon maturity of its highest-emitting suppliers, collects CO₂ data, and co-develops emission reduction pathways, aiming for full engagement of the top 100 suppliers by 2032.

What challenges does the aviation industry face in scaling SAF?
SAF production is currently limited and expensive, making up less than 0.5% of total jet fuel demand in 2024. Scaling production and reducing costs are key challenges for widespread adoption.

How is Daher recognized for its sustainability efforts?
Daher has received a B rating from CDP, a bronze medal from EcoVadis, and Top Employer France certification, reflecting its strong performance in ESG, responsible purchasing, and employee engagement.

Sources

Daher Official Commitment to a Low-Carbon Future