Aerospace

The aerospace industry in our region includes all clusters that are related to flying, whether in air or in space. We distinguish 4 sub-sectors: space, aeronautics & aviation, drones & UAV’s and composites & new materials, supplying materials to the entire aerospace industry.

Launch base for aerospace innovations

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7320

Aerospace professionals

12500

Indirect jobs in the aerospace industry

€4 billion

turnover in the aerospace industry

2600

Students at TU Delft’s Faculty of Aerospace Engineering (largest in Europe). Over 40% of students are international

157

aerospace companies

800

Students enrolled at aerospace courses other than TU Delft

The heart of Holland’s aerospace industry

Our region is home to a unique aerospace cluster, including the complete chain of academic research – knowledge applications – OEM’s – first, second & third-tier suppliers and end users.

The heart of Holland’s aerospace industry

Our region is home to a unique aerospace cluster, including the complete chain of academic research – knowledge applications – OEM’s – first, second & third-tier suppliers and end users.

7320

Aerospace professionals

12500

Indirect jobs in the aerospace industry

€4 billion

turnover in the aerospace industry

2600

Students at TU Delft’s faculty of aerospace engineering (largest in Europe). Over 40% of students are international

157

aerospace companies

800

Students enrolled at aerospace courses other than TU Delft

Space Aeronautics Composites

About 80% of all space activities in the Netherlands take place here. Both the upstream manufacturing industry and the downstream data application industry are well represented and enjoy international prestige.

A unique location for space businesses

In addition to TU Delft’s Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, the region is home to the technological heart of the European Space Agency, ESTEC. The community is growing, with the arrival of space research institute SRON in Leiden in 2021 and the development of Space Campus Noordwijk

ESA/ESTEC
The European Space Research & Technology Center (ESTEC) is ESA’s largest facility and is the technological heart of the organisation. Around 2,700 engineers, technicians and scientists develop and manage various ESA missions from Noordwijk.
Galileo Reference Centre
Galileo is the Global Navigation Satellite System developed by the European Union. The reference centre has the task of evaluating the quality of space signals and the performance of the Galileo Service Operator
Over 60 space companies
Our region is home to over 60 space companies

ESA/ESTEC
The European Space Research & Technology Center (ESTEC) is ESA’s largest facility and is the technological heart of the organisation. Around 2,700 engineers, technicians and scientists develop and manage various ESA missions from Noordwijk.
Galileo Reference Center
Galileo is the Global Navigation Satellite System developed by the European Union. The reference centre has the task of evaluating the quality of space signals and the performance of the Galileo Service Operator
Over 60 space companies
Our region is home to over 60 space companies

A unique location for space businesses

The space community in our region stands out in following niches:

Nano & small satellites

Satellite communication services

Complete space subsystems

New materials & composites

International space law

Solar panels

Optics & optomechatronics

Earth observation services

The entire chain of academic research and knowledge applications, suppliers and end users is present in the region. There are 62 aeronautics and aviation companies in our region, active in the manufacture of aircraft parts and drones, the maintenance thereof, as well as in the design and development of airports and airport buildings around the world.

The aeronautics and aviation community in our region stands out in the following niches:

Complete aerospace sub-systems

Systems engineering and Artificial Intelligence

Large scale automated manufacturing

New materials and smart composites

Digitisation and digital twinning

Self-healing materials

Hot section components

Customised high-end electronics

Our region is home to a unique cluster of composites and new materials. It covers the entire chain from academic knowledge and research, application development to end users (OEMs). In combination with a wide range of component suppliers, this cluster is mainly active in industries such as aerospace, maritime, automotive, machine building, infrastructure and construction.

The composites and new materials community in our region stands out in the following niches:

Advanced hybrid materials

Thermoplastic composites

Large scale and automated manufacture

Structural integrity and composites

Shape memory composites

Self healing materials

Bonding and welding of composites

Next generation composites

Aerospace hotspots in our region

Our region is characterised by a variety of hotspots; locations with a high concentration of aerospace businesses, public organisations and/or test locations with facilities and services for R&D, training and demonstration

The aerospace business community in our region

Our region is home to a celebrated aerospace community with international impact. Among the community are large, mature organisations such as Airbus Defence & Space as well as new innovative startups such as Hiber and FLEET.

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Maritime & Port
Our region is renowned for our maritime expertise and excellent port infrastructure. In order to maintain our position at the forefront of the world’s trade and logistics rankings, the community is focused on digitisation and becomming more sustainable.
Horticulture
Our region is home to the largest high-tech greenhouse area in Europe, known for its highly innovative community with an excellent knowledge infrastructure and efficient logistics.
High Tech
Dominant sectors in the region, such as horticulture, maritime, space and life sciences are increasingly dependent on technology, providing opportunities for suppliers of high-tech solutions.
Life Sciences & Health
We’ve got our pharma hotbed at Leiden Bio Science Park, the entrepreneurial medtech community around Rotterdam’s Erasmus MC, and our Delft high-tech heart beating in between.
Cyber Security
The Hague Security Delta, with ties to our national government, military and intelligence agencies as well as international organisations, provides access to markets, innovation, talent, knowledge and capital.
Digital Technology
Our region is recognized for its innovative capabilities in digital technology and has a strong track record developing world-class technology businesses. The leading sectors in the region are adopting the latest cutting-edge technologies at a fast pace.
Sustainable Energy
The Dutch government has defined ambitious goals related to transitioning towards renewable energy. These ambitions create numerous opportunities for international cleantech businesses.
Biobased Industry
The presence of a large industrial cluster, world-leading logistics, the availability of feedstock, testing facilities and an extensive knowledge base in our region make a perfect mix that acts like a trampoline for biotech companies developing and growing their businesses.

Aerospace

Launch base for aerospace innovations

The heart of Holland’s aerospace industry

The heart of Holland’s aerospace industry

A unique location for space businesses

A unique location for space businesses

The space community in our region stands out in following niches:

Nano & small satellites

Satellite communication services

Complete space subsystems

New materials & composites

International space law

Solar panels

Optics & optomechatronics

Earth observation services

The aeronautics and aviation community in our region stands out in the following niches:

Complete aerospace sub-systems

Systems engineering and Artificial Intelligence

Large scale automated manufacturing

New materials and smart composites

Digitisation and digital twinning

Self-healing materials

Hot section components

Customised high-end electronics

The composites and new materials community in our region stands out in the following niches:

Advanced hybrid materials

Thermoplastic composites

Large scale and automated manufacture

Structural integrity and composites

Shape memory composites

Self healing materials

Bonding and welding of composites

Next generation composites

Aerospace hotspots in our region

Katwijk

Noordwijk

The Hague

Delft

Rotterdam – The Hague Airport

Papendrecht

The aerospace business community in our region

Discover more about our region:

Interested in other industries in our region?

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Niels Krol