Solvay to supply Avio with advanced materials for space exploration

Solvay has signed a long-term agreement with Avio to supply advanced composite and adhesive materials for demanding applications in aerospace.

Alpharetta, December 7, 2021

Solvay and Avio SpA have signed a long-term agreement for the supply of composite and adhesive materials to be used across a range of programs including the Vega space programs, the European Space Agency’s satellite launch vehicles designed to send payloads into low Earth orbit (LEO).

Solvay will supply Avio with ablative material, RTM resins and adhesives. Solvay has a strong legacy in the space market and has long been a leader in ablative materials for space applications, such as nozzles and exit cones. Solvay’s products have been used across many space launch programs over the years, thanks to their ability to withstand the extremely high temperatures produced by the rocket motor exhaust.

Avio has over 50 years of history designing, developing, producing and integrating space launchers for placing institutional, governmental and commercial payloads in earth orbit through its Vega rocket family.

“We are excited to extend our partnership with industry leader Avio and continue to support Vega critical missions,” explained Carmelo Lo Faro, president of Solvay’s Materials Segment. “We are all currently seeing renewed enthusiasm and investment in the global space race and we believe that our advanced materials will be key enablers for space exploration, space tourism and also the launch placement of satellite constellations. We helped put the first man on the moon and will be there for the first woman on Mars!”

“The Long Term Agreement strengthens the relationship between our companies. It also secures the supply to AVIO of strategic products for VEGA family launchers in the upcoming years, when the demand of launchers to place satellites into LEO orbits is expected to increase,”adds Sergio Colabucci, AVIO Procurement Director.

Signature Solvay - Avio — _{Pictured from left to right:}
_{Luigi Pellegrini & Sergio Colabucci (Avio), Gerald Perrin, Giuliano Russo & Salvatore De Nicola (Solvay)}

About Solvay

Solvay is a science company whose technologies bring benefits to many aspects of daily life. With more than 23,000 employees in 64 countries, Solvay bonds people, ideas and elements to reinvent progress. The Group seeks to create sustainable shared value for all, notably through its Solvay One Planet roadmap crafted around three pillars: protecting the climate, preserving resources and fostering a better life. The Group’s innovative solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food and consumer goods, planes, cars, batteries, smart devices, health care applications, water and air purification systems. Founded in 1863, Solvay today ranks among the world’s top three companies for the vast majority of its activities and delivered net sales of €9 billion in 2020. Solvay is listed on Euronext Brussels and Paris (SOLB). Learn more at www.solvay.com.

About Avio

Avio is a leading company in space propulsion, based in Colleferro, near Rome, Italy. The company offers competitive solutions for launching institutional, governmental and commercial payloads in Earth orbit through its Vega rocket family. The expertise and know-how acquired in over 50 years, currently allow Avio to compete with the top players in the segment of solid, liquid and cryogenic propulsion for space launchers and military tactical missiles.