A strategic partnership
The partnership was officially announced during the opening day of BEDEX, the Belgian defence exhibition in Brussels Expo, where SOLiTHOR is part of the DronePort stand. The collaboration will leverage the strengths of both parties, combining their expertise to fast-track the development, testing, and certification of advanced battery solutions for ADA applications. Together, DronePort and SOLiTHOR aim to establish Sint-Truiden as a leading international expertise centre for drones and autonomous systems.
DronePort is in the process of developing a fully automated, carbon-free air hub. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a testing ground for the most advanced technologies in aviation. With a strong focus on artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, renewable energy, and data management, DronePort is drawing in innovators from across Europe, fostering a dynamic ecosystem.
Groundbreaking solid-state battery technology
SOLiTHOR, founded in 2021 and also located in Sint-Truiden, is at the forefront of developing high performing lithium-ion cells, drawing on a decade of cutting-edge, patented chemistry & nanotech research from imec (Europe’s leading R&D semiconductor institute). The company’s groundbreaking proprietary solid-composite electrolyte (SCE) technology platform allows for the impregnation of separator and cathode films via roll-to-roll coating, unlocking the potential of fully scalable solid-state high energy density cells. With this innovative approach, SOLiTHOR is paving the way for the next generation of battery solutions, driving advancements in energy storage for various industries, including aviation.
Both DronePort and SOLiTHOR share a deep understanding of the crucial role scalable, aviation-grade batteries will play in enabling quiet, carbon-free air transport. Recognizing the need for rapid innovation, the two companies are aligning their development roadmaps to ensure a smooth transition from lab-based breakthroughs to real-world flight operations. By working together, they aim to bridge the gap between theoretical advancements and practical, large-scale applications, accelerating the adoption of clean, efficient energy solutions in the aviation sector.
Application specific testing and development
SOLiTHOR’s next-generation batteries will be developed within DronePort’s expanding innovation ecosystem, where manufacturers, defence partners, regulators and energy specialists collaborate on clean-propulsion aviation. Testing becomes part of a broader effort to build a complementary value chain in Sint-Truiden, create new business opportunities with other DronePort residents, and accelerate market adoption in a European context.
By connecting technology development to certification pathways, industrial roadmaps and policy initiatives, both partners aim to establish a scalable model for electric aviation while strengthening Europe’s strategic capability in battery innovation.
“Our ambition is to grow a collaborative testing ecosystem where breakthrough technologies progress from design to deployment in close cooperation with industry,” said Ward Decaluwe, CEO of DronePort. “Working with SOLiTHOR allows us to combine cutting-edge energy innovation with an open test environment that brings residents, regulators and manufacturers together to learn, validate and build a European community for next generation aviation.”
Paving the way for the electric aviation
Rodrigo P. Navarro, CEO of SOLiTHOR,added: “Our chemistry unlocks broader solid-state production and adoption potential, with a solution made in Europe and leveraging European industrial strength, which is becoming critical especially in the Defence sector. Partnering with DronePort provides us with immediate access to aircraft and drone manufacturers, regulators, and end-users, enabling us to progress from cell design to airborne demonstration in record time and reinforcing Europe’s battery sovereignty.”
By combining advanced battery chemistry with application-specific development infrastructure, DronePort and SOLiTHOR are strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy in energy storage for aerospace platforms. The collaboration links real operational use cases with tailored engineering environments, where sovereign battery technologies can be integrated into unmanned systems, next-generation aircraft and mission-critical assets. This approach reinforces Sint-Truiden’s role as a strategic hub for aerospace capability in Europe and supports the deployment of high-performance energy systems that enhance resilience, readiness and technological leadership.
