Stéphane Cueille from Safran (www.safran-group.com), Roland Fischer from Oerlikon, Jean-Luc Moullet from the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and Alain Celerier from the University of Limoges have signed a letter of intent announcing the creation in Limoges of a joint research laboratory (Protheis) and a technology platform (Safir) specialising in surface treatments for aerospace applications.

These two new entities will help Safran enhance its surface-treatment capabilities to allow the manufacture of lighter and longer-lasting products that can cut both noise and nitrogen oxide emissions, while ensuring compliance with the European REACH regulations for all types of aerospace applications.

Oerlikon expects that the collaboration will advance its already strong support of the aerospace industry along the entire value chain.

The company offers the partnership ‘deep and long-standing expertise’ in advanced materials, surface engineering and high-end industrialised equipment.

For CNRS and the University of Limoges, which operate a joint research unit called IRCER, the aim is to “foster scientific and technical discussions on surface treatments with leading national and international laboratories and to attract top talent from around the world”.

This project will bolster IRCER’s position in the aerospace sector, as well as personnel training in conjunction with the ENSIL/ENSCI engineering school and the Science and Technology faculty at the University of Limoges.