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LiT Newsletter #31

In this edition of the newsletter, we reveal the theme of the LiT Aero Conference ’26 and take you through the development of the VIVA 2050 roadmap, which is helping shape the future position of the Netherlands within sustainable aviation.

In addition, we welcome a new colleague and invite you to the upcoming LiT Community Event. Curious about the Flying Vision Accelerator Roadmap? Be sure to mark their Save the Date in your calendar. Finally, this edition shines a spotlight on partner Cryoworld B.V. - a specialist in cryogenic technology and actively involved in the development of hydrogen-electric aviation.

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LiT Aero Conference '26 - Theme announcement
Forging our Future - Smart. Secured. Sustainable. 

The transition to sustainable aviation is taking place in a world that is changing rapidly. Geopolitical shifts, industrial transformation and the need for strategic autonomy are reshaping the way Europe and the Netherlands position themselves in the global aviation ecosystem.

This year’s theme, Forging our Future,  is about taking ownership of that transition. It is about building the technologies, industrial capabilities and partnerships that allow us to move towards sustainable aviation while strengthening our strategic position in Europe and beyond.

At the LiT Aero Conference ’26, we bring together the people and organisations aspiring to achieve exactly that: accelerating sustainable aviation, strengthening collaboration across the ecosystem and exploring how the Netherlands and Europe can help shape the next generation of aviation.

Join us on October 8 at the LiT Aero Conference ’26 and be part of the conversation. More on keynotes and programme will follow soon!

Updates

VIVA-2050 innovation roadmap

Building on the Strategic Compass Aerospace and the National Collective Business Plan, the LiT programme office is supporting NAG in the development of a new market-driven innovation roadmap with 2050 as its horizon: the VIVA-2050 Innovation Roadmap.

This roadmap is being developed for and by the sector, with active participation from the LiT innovation community. It will not only build on the areas in which the Netherlands is already internationally recognised, but also explore new domains where Dutch industry can strengthen and secure positions within future aerospace supply chains.

Together, NAG and LiT are joining forces to create a strong and forward-looking plan for the sector, while also engaging valuable international and cross-sector collaborations. The result will be a collective roadmap focused on earning capacity, sustainability and safety, helping shape the future of Dutch aviation innovation.

Herinnering: Ontvang subsidie voor jouw innovatieve project!

Are you contributing to the reduction of harmful emissions in the aviation sector? And are you doing so through a project focused on technology development, innovation and/or knowledge development in aviation? If so, you may be eligible for the LiT Open Calls. 

The scheme consists of five modules, four of which are currently open for applications. The subsidies are administered by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and support innovative projects that contribute to a more sustainable aviation sector.

Royal Honours for TU Delft’s Rinze Benedictus and Joris Melkert

Professor Rinze Benedictus, Chair of Structural Integrity & Composites, and Director of Education Joris Melkert were both appointed Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau during the annual Dutch Royal Honours Ceremony (Lintjesregen).

Rinze Benedictus is an internationally recognised expert in aerospace structures and composite materials, with research that connects fundamental science to applications of major societal relevance. After starting his career at Koninklijke Hoogovens, Rinze Benedictus was appointed Professor of Structural Integrity & Composites at TU Delft in 2006.

Director of Education and Associate Professor Joris Melkert is a well-known and respected figure within the faculty, the university, and the aviation sector. His in-depth knowledge of aviation, broad perspective on the field, and talent for explaining complex topics in a clear and accessible way make him a highly sought-after and valued expert.

Bron: TU Delft

Announcements

Join the LiT Community Event 16 June - Enschede

Twice a year, the LiT Community Event brings together the broader LiT community. It is the moment to:

• gain insight into the progress of the programme and ongoing projects;
• build new connections within the programme;
• strengthen collaboration across the ecosystem;
• dive deeper into relevant topics and developments.

We see these gatherings genuinely contributing to stronger collaboration and acceleration within LiT. This year, the event will be hosted by Aeronamic, who will contribute to the programme with a presentation, facility tour and one of the parallel sessions. More details about the sessions and registration will follow soon.

We will conclude the day with a networking reception and buffet. Please note that the Community Event will be held in English.

Preliminary Programme

13:00 – 13:30 | Walk-in & registration
13:30 – 14:00 | Welcome & presentation by Aeronamic
14:00 – 15:00 | Plenary programme
15:00 – 17:00 | Parallel sessions
17:00 – 18:30 | Networking reception & buffet

Please note: the Community Event is exclusively accessible to partners within the LiT programme.

Save the Date: Flying Vision Accelerator Roadmap Release – 22 June (preliminary timing 12:00–18:00)

On 22 June, near the TU Delft Campus, the Flying Vision Accelerator project will celebrate the release of its first aviation‑transition roadmap with an energetic afternoon featuring:

• Visionary keynotes from TU Delft (“Thinking Beyond the Horizon) and KLM  (“KLM’s strategic perspective on the path to 2050”)
• Three parallel interactive Think Tank sessions, exploring key research questions within FVA’s main themes: reducing energy demand (aircraft & its flight), implementing novel energy carriers and the traveler in 2050. Together, we’ll lay the first building blocks for the 2026 roadmap iteration.

This event is a unique opportunity to (re)connect and engage with researchers, engineers, technology experts, entrepreneurs, policymakers and other industry stakeholders. An online participation option is being explored as well.

If you would like to receive the full invitation and/or learn more about FVA, please contact Victor Rijkaart (a.c.v.rijkaart@tudelft.nl) or Elise Bavelaar (m.e.bavelaar@tudelft.nl).

Tipped by CTO Kjelt van Rijswijk: H2 Meet up @TU Delft 29 May

TU Delft regularly organises H2 Platform meetings that bring together researchers, engineers and industry professionals working on hydrogen technology and sustainable mobility. The sessions continue to impress: the presentations offer exactly the right level of technical depth to engage both university researchers and engineers from industry. This consistently leads to valuable discussions, new insights and stronger connections between research and practice. The aerospace sector is also strongly represented within the network.

The event stands out because of its combination of high-quality content, open knowledge exchange and an energetic atmosphere. It also provides an excellent opportunity to present your own work, receive feedback from a knowledgeable audience and explore new collaborations. The sessions are designed to bring together expertise from different disciplines and collectively advance hydrogen and propulsion technologies for mobility and transport applications.

I will be attending again on 29 May, when the central theme will be: Power Cycles for Mobility & Transport.

What: H2 Platform Meeting - Power Cycles for Mobility & Transport
When: 29 May, 10:00 - 13:00
Where: TU Delft, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Programme

10:00 - 10:15 | Walk-in with coffee & tea

10:15 - 12:00/12:15 | Presentations (20 minutes each)

• Fuel Cell + GT/Combustor - Hylena and/or Triathlon
  Francesca de Domenico (TU Delft)
• Fuel Cell + ICE and other combinations
  Lindert van Biert (TU Delft)
• HyRoTech
  Arvind Gangoli Rao (TU Delft)
• H2 & MeOH ICE + outlook on NH3 ICE
  Cemil Bekdemir (TNO)
• ICEFlight Airbus
  Jan Willem van Zwieten (Airbus, TBD)

12:00/12:15 - 13:00 | Lunch

To register or learn more about the session, please contact Peter Lucas via: p.lucas@tudelft.nl

Partner in de Spotlight: Cryoworld B.V.

Cryoworld B.V., based in Wieringerwerf, North Holland is one of the Dutch partners in the leading-edge research project ICEFlight, in which a consortium led by Airbus is working on the development of a hydrogen-electric aircraft.

Within ICEFlight, the baseline concept is an aircraft equipped with a fuel cell that converts hydrogen and oxygen from the air into electricity. Superconducting or hyperconducting technology is then intended to transport this electricity to the electric motors as efficiently as possible. Cryoworld contributes its cryogenic expertise to support the efficient transfer of electricity from point A to point B, with the aim of reducing electrical resistance while limiting cable mass.

This technology operates at cryogenic temperatures of approximately -253°C, close to the temperature of liquid hydrogen. For this development, Cryoworld can draw on extensive experience in the end-to-end delivery of tailored cryogenic systems, especially for liquid hydrogen and helium. Since its foundation in 2012, Cryoworld has developed into a recognized specialist in cryogenics, serving sectors such as aerospace, large-scale research facilities, and energy applications worldwide. From its modern production facility in Wieringerwerf, a dedicated team of engineers and specialists supports projects from concept development and detailed engineering through to manufacturing, testing, installation, and commissioning.

In addition to established cryogenic technologies, Cryoworld’s areas of expertise include:

• valve boxes and multi-transfer lines for liquid helium;

• cryogenic pressure vessels;

• specialized cryostats;

• long flexible cryostats for superconducting cables;

• unique cryogenic processes and equipment;

• innovative design and cryogenic prototyping;

• cryogenic process engineering, safety analyses and R&D conceptual study creation.

In the field of liquid hydrogen, Cryoworld is actively contributing to the development and implementation of advanced technologies such as those explored within ICEFlight.

Specifically, Cryoworld’s existing portfolio in liquid hydrogen technologies covers:

• (re)fuelling skids;

• fuel tanks;

• laboratory-scale liquefiers and zero boil-off systems;

• flexible hoses and bayonets.

This product range reflects the company’s broader commitment to supporting the transition towards sustainable energy systems. Cryoworld views liquid hydrogen as an essential enabler for high-energy mobile applications and aims to accelerate its practical deployment by delivering cryogenic solutions that are not only technically effective, but also reliable, safe, and ready for real-world integration.

Upcoming events

* For more aviation-related events, take a look at the NAG event calendar!

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