Lilium GmbH is to source carbon fibre composite materials for the Lilium Jet from Toray Industries, Inc. The Munich-based company is developing this all-electric, vertical take-off and landing aircraft to deliver clean, regional air mobility as early as 2025.

Carbon fibre composite materials are vital to lighten such vehicles as the Lilium Jet. Toray is deepening ties with Lilium and other manufacturers while continuing to innovate materials that contribute to progress with these transportation platforms by enhancing performance, conserving energy, and lowering costs. The Lilium Jet will take up to four passengers and its pilot up to 300 kilometers in less than 60 minutes. Its fuselage, wings, rotor vanes, and other structural components will employ carbon fiber composite materials.

Under the Medium-Term Management Program, Project AP-G 2022 announced in May this year, Toray’s Carbon Fiber Composite Materials Business seeks to strategically expand its operational infrastructure for urban air mobility applications. Toray aims to help resolve urban environmental issues by developing materials that cater to the unique challenges of air vehicles. Toray says it will keep leveraging the power of materials to change the world by strengthening collaboration among Group companies while catering swiftly to market needs.

Regional air mobility could help reduce traffic congestion, noise, and air pollution in crowded cities. Entities around the world are developing airframes and operational systems for air taxi services. Governments are working on regulatory frameworks. Lilium is spearheading the quest to manufacture air vehicle and develop and commercialise services. Lilium CEO Daniel Wiegand is one of the co-founders of that company, which was established in 2015.