Joint Technology Initiative (JTI) CLEAN SKY

JTIs are a new form of public-private R&D partnerships, fostering research in any specific sector requiring the mobilization of huge public and private resources and investments, so that ambitious large-scale goals may be achieved. The JTI CLEAN SKY (aeronautics and air transport) is  managed by a Joint Undertaking between the European Commission and 86 members, of which 12 are leading companies and the remaining are European industries, universities, SMEs and research centres. Some of these organizations are grouped into clusters.

The JTI CLEAN SKY aims at increasing the competitiveness of the European Aeronautical Industry while reducing emissions and noise by speeding up the development of breakthrough technologies for new-generation “green aircraft”. The JTI main target is to reduce, by 2020, CO₂ emissions by 50%, NOx emissions by 80%, and noise pollution by 50%, whilst introducing a greener life cycle of products involving all production phases: design, manufacturing, maintenance and disposal/recycling.

Set up in 2007, the JTI CLEAN SKY manages a € 1.6 billion budget, of which € 800 million is contributed by the European Commission’s Seventh Framework Programme and € 800 million comes from member companies. The JTI is structured into six technical areas called Integrated Technology Demonstrators (ITD): SMART Fixed Wing Aircraft; Green Regional Aircraft; Green Rotorcraft; Systems for Green Operations; Sustainable and Green Engines, and Eco-Design.