SOLiTHOR and MODABAT consortium secure EU Clean Aviation grant to advance solid-state battery systems for hybrid electric aircraft

The MODABAT consortium, led by Fraunhofer Gesellschaft and comprising SOLiTHOR, Collins Aerospace (Ireland), Axter Aerospace (Spain), and ATR (France) as end-user, along with six research and project management organisations has been awarded €5 million in funding from the EU’s Clean Aviation programme.

This strategic collaboration marks a pivotal step toward advancing energy storage solutions for aerospace, reinforcing Europe’s commitment to cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable air travel.

The MODABAT project - Modular, scalable, and technology-Open Design for future Aviation BATteries is part of Clean Aviation’s third call and aims to deliver adaptable battery architectures for a range of aviation applications.

SOLiTHOR’s solid-state battery technology with its proprietary solid composite electrolyte platform introduces a streamlined manufacturing process for true solid-state batteries, and is expected to play a critical role in meeting the demanding performance and safety standards of future electric aviation platforms.

SOLiTHOR’s CEO, Rodrigo Navarro said, “This funding enables us to accelerate the deployment of solid-state battery systems that meet the rigorous demands of hybrid electric flight. It also marks a first stepping stone in our strategy towards a broader position within the aerospace segment. Together with our consortium partners - each bringing complementary strengths in battery technology, aircraft systems, and aerospace integration, we’re positioned to deliver high-impact solutions for sustainable flight.”

Reflecting on the project’s significance, Maria Calvo, Clean Aviation Head of Project Management stated, “MODABAT exemplifies the high-impact innovation Clean Aviation aims to drive by uniting next-generation energy storage with aerospace-grade integration to meet the demanding safety, energy density, and reliability needs of hybrid-electric flight.”

The initiative underscores SOLiTHOR’s continued commitment to advancing clean technologies for the electromobility sector, with a focus on safety, sustainability, and system-level innovation.