Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney this week announced a strategic partnership to conduct joint research and development on sustainable aviation technology with Dutch companies. The initiative was confirmed when the RTX subsidiaries signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Netherlands Aerospace Group.

The work covered by the agreement will cover areas including: advanced manufacturing processes and materials, including thermoplastic composite structures; propulsion technology, such as hydrogen and hybrid-electric systems; aircraft electrification and energy management; and environmental studies.

The MOU announcement did not specify which Dutch companies will be directly involved in the new initiative, but the Netherlands Aerospace Group said it will certainly involve the ongoing Luchvaart in Transitie (aviation in transit) initiative. The U.S.-based RTX has had business interests in the country for more than a century, with Collins Aerospace having operations at three sites in Almere, Houten, and Maastricht. In September, the group announced a research agreement with the Delft University of Technology.

“Reducing the aviation industry’s carbon footprint is an era-defining challenge that requires a strong innovation ecosystem pulling together the world’s best and brightest minds,” said RTX chief technology officer Juan de Bedout. “The MOU builds on our long history of driving technology innovation in the Netherlands and enables us to further expand our relationships throughout the wider Dutch and European aerospace ecosystem as we work together t make the future of commercial flight more sustainable.”