What Bauhaus Luftfahrt does

Bauhaus Luftfahrt e.V. is a nonprofit aviation research think tank established in November 2005 as a public-private partnership between the Free State of Bavaria and five industrial founders — Airbus, the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), IABG, Liebherr Aerospace, and MTU Aero Engines. The organization is structured as a registered association (e.V.) under German law (Amtsgericht München VR 19179), headquartered on the Ludwig Bölkow Campus in Taufkirchen near Munich, with a multidisciplinary team of approximately 50 scientists working on climate-neutral aviation.

The research portfolio is organized into nine thematic areas: Technology Radar (proprietary early-detection methodology for disruptive technologies in energy, fuels, materials, photonics, sensors, and information); Trend Monitor (STEEP analysis of societal, technological, economic, ecological, and political trends); Transition to Climate Neutrality (scenario simulations through 2050); Future Aviation Fuels (sustainable pathways including biofuels and synthetic fuels); Hydrogen Aviation (production, logistics, infrastructure, and propulsion); New Long Range; Urban & Regional (Air) Mobility; Novel Propulsion Concepts; and (Hybrid-)Electric Aviation. Active projects include DOXWING (70-passenger hydrogen fuel cell box-wing regional aircraft, 2045 target), H2Avia (fleet-level hydrogen aircraft assessment), BERTL (battery-wing electric regional aircraft), HOPE (multi-fuel propulsion with water-enhanced turbofan), and SUN-to-LIQUID (solar-thermochemical kerosene synthesis). Outputs include 853 publications, annual yearbooks, and the Bauhaus Luftfahrt Symposium.

The organization does not sell commercial products or services and discloses no revenue figures. Revenue is generated through project-based public funding (EU Horizon Europe / Horizon 2020, German LuFo, BMBF) and ongoing contributions from the founding industrial and state consortium. Go-to-market is community-led: dissemination via peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations, podcasts, the annual symposium, and direct research collaborations with industry and academic partners rather than commercial customer acquisition. The Energy Globe World Award for SUN-to-LIQUID (2022) represents the highest external validation cited in the data.

Name

Bauhaus Luftfahrt

Legal name

Bauhaus Luftfahrt e.V.

Website

https://bauhaus-luftfahrt.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bauhaus Luftfahrt is a nonprofit aviation research think tank established in 2005 as a public-private partnership between the Free State of Bavaria and five leading aerospace companies. Its 50-person scientific team conducts interdisciplinary research on climate-neutral aviation, including hydrogen propulsion, sustainable fuels, and novel aircraft configurations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Research and Consulting Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) & Alternative Fuels (e-fuels, biofuels, hydrogen) (THABANAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Production (HEFA, FT, ATJ) (EUAAAHAE)

Keywords

• Aviation research
• Climate-neutral flight
• Hydrogen propulsion
• Sustainable aviation fuels
• Aerospace think tank

Headquarters

HQ city

Weißenburg In Bayern

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Research Project Funding: Funded through collaborative research projects with European Union (Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020), German LuFo programs, and BMBF initiatives. Receives project grants for specific technology development areas.
2. Public-Private Partnership: Core funding from public-private partnership between the Free State of Bavaria and industrial partners including Airbus, DLR, IABG, Liebherr Aerospace, and MTU Aero Engines.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bauhaus Luftfahrt is a nonprofit research think tank (e.V.) that conducts interdisciplinary scientific research on climate-neutral aviation, developing proprietary methodologies such as the Technology Radar and Trend Monitor, and evaluating hydrogen propulsion, sustainable aviation fuels, hybrid-electric systems, and novel aircraft configurations. It delivers research findings through collaborative projects funded by EU programs (Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020), German LuFo/BMBF programs, and a public-private partnership with the Free State of Bavaria and aerospace industry sponsors.

Product overview

Bauhaus Luftfahrt is a research think tank (e.V. - registered association) focused on climate-neutral aviation, operating as a Public-private-Partnership between the Free State of Bavaria, Airbus, DLR, IABG, Liebherr Aerospace, and MTU Aero Engines. Rather than a commercial product company, it provides research methodologies and strategic intelligence services. The portfolio includes: Technology Radar (early detection of disruptive technologies), Trend Monitor (strategic scenario analysis), Transition to Climate Neutrality research, Future Aviation Fuels analysis, and Hydrogen Aviation research. Key research projects include DOXWING (hydrogen fuel cell box-wing regional aircraft), H2Avia (hydrogen fleet assessment), BERTL (battery wing for electric regional aircraft), HOPE (multi-fuel propulsion systems), and SUN-to-LIQUID (solar fuel production). The organization disseminates knowledge through annual yearbooks and extensive publications in aerospace journals and conferences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Technology Radar Research Service Early detection methodology for disruptive technologies and their physical boundaries, functioning as an antenna for technology leaps and radical new developments in energy, alternative fuels, materials, photonics, sensors, and information domains. Uses a proprietary science-based methodology for quantitative analysis of future technologies in the aviation context, serving consortium partners and research collaborators.
• Trend Monitor Research Service Systematic tracking and analysis of societal, technological, economic, ecological, and political developments to assess impacts on stakeholders in air transport. Provides insights on long-term developments including future passenger traffic, potential business models, partnerships, and strategic implications for aviation sector clients.
• Transition to Climate Neutrality Research Research focused on pathways for aviation to achieve CO2 neutrality by 2050, evaluating emission reduction options by reduction potential, costs, and availability. Uses scenario simulations to understand mechanisms and implications of different transition scenarios for aviation industry clients and government stakeholders.
• Hydrogen Aviation Research Holistic evaluation of hydrogen as aviation fuel covering production processes, logistics networks, scalability, ecological and economic performance, hydrogen infrastructure, and airport processes. Conceptually researches key technologies for hydrogen-powered energy and propulsion systems for aviation industry stakeholders.
• Future Aviation Fuels Analysis Comprehensive analysis of renewable fuel production quantities, technical production pathways, and their technical, ecological, and socioeconomic potentials. Evaluates advanced biofuel production from waste and residue streams, and fuel synthesis using solar and wind energy for aviation sector clients.
• DOXWING Research Project Distributed Propulsion Over the Wing Boxwing Configuration project developing a 70-passenger box-wing regional aircraft concept with H2 fuel cell propulsion targeting 2045 service entry for regional routes. Conducted as collaborative research for aviation manufacturers and engine producers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 50% more energy-efficient aircraft achievable through revolutionary propulsion concepts and configurations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Free State of Bavaria (Freistaat Bayern)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2005Core public funding partner and co-founder of the public-private partnership. Supports the research institution as part of Bavaria's strategy to advance climate-neutral aviation technologies.
• AirbuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor aviation manufacturer and founding sponsor of the research think tank. Collaborates on sustainable aircraft concepts, hydrogen propulsion, and future aviation technologies.
• DLR (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman Aerospace Center as founding sponsor and research partner. Joint work on hydrogen aviation, propulsion systems, and aircraft design studies.
• MTU Aero EnginescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngine manufacturer and founding sponsor. Collaborates on advanced propulsion concepts including hybrid-electric systems and novel engine architectures.
• Liebherr AerospacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAerospace systems supplier and founding sponsor. Partnership focuses on aerospace technologies for next-generation aircraft systems.
• IABGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAerospace testing and engineering services company as founding sponsor. Supports research activities with testing and validation capabilities.
• RWTH Aachen UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration in multiple EU and German research projects including ATLAS, DWiTE, H2Avia, GNOSIS, and IMOTHEP on sustainable aviation technologies.
• TU Munich (Technische Universität München)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive collaboration in projects including FREA, CHoSe-Aviation, H2Avia, and BERTL for electric regional mobility and hydrogen storage solutions.
• Rolls-RoycemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in EU projects including MINIMAL and CENTRELINE focused on ultra-efficient engine cores and fuselage boundary layer ingestion propulsion.
• DLR (Additional Projects)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration in multiple projects including EXAELIA, HOPE, and HYLENA for experimental aircraft and hydrogen propulsion systems.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• ZeroAvia: ZeroAvia develops hydrogen-electric aircraft propulsion systems for regional aviation. It is comparable because Bauhaus researches hydrogen-powered aircraft architectures and fleet-level impacts, while ZeroAvia focuses on commercialization of the propulsion hardware.
• Cranfield Aerospace Solutions: Cranfield Aerospace Solutions is developing hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion conversions for regional aircraft. It is comparable to Bauhaus’s regional hydrogen aircraft concepts and propulsion architecture work, but is more commercially product-oriented.
• H2FLY: H2FLY develops hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for aircraft and has demonstrated hydrogen fuel-cell flight technologies. It is comparable through direct technology overlap with Bauhaus’s hydrogen aviation and fuel-cell propulsion research, though it is a commercial product developer.

Broad incumbents

• DLR (German Aerospace Center): DLR is Germany’s national aerospace research center with extensive work in aviation, propulsion, hydrogen and climate-compatible flight. It is comparable because Bauhaus also conducts aerospace R&D and hydrogen aviation studies, though DLR is much larger and broader.
• Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft: Fraunhofer is a large German applied-research organization active across engineering, energy, materials and aerospace-related technologies. It is comparable through applied R&D and technology-transfer capabilities, but is far broader than Bauhaus’s aviation-focused mandate.

Regional players

• Royal NLR: Royal NLR is the Netherlands Aerospace Centre, providing applied aerospace research, testing and advisory work for civil and defense aviation. It is comparable to Bauhaus through its European aerospace research role and work on sustainable aviation technologies.
• ONERA: ONERA is France’s national aerospace research laboratory, covering aircraft, propulsion, aerodynamics and future aviation technologies. It is comparable as a European aerospace R&D institution serving similar industry and government stakeholders in another geography.
• Aerospace Technology Institute: The Aerospace Technology Institute shapes and funds UK aerospace technology strategy, including sustainable aircraft and propulsion programs. It is comparable as a public-private aviation technology body, but primarily focused on the UK ecosystem.

Others

• CE Delft: CE Delft provides research and consulting on transport emissions, aviation climate policy and sustainable fuels. It is comparable to Bauhaus’s scenario, fuels and climate-neutrality analysis, though it has less focus on aircraft engineering and propulsion architecture.

Direct peers

• ZAL Center of Applied Aeronautical Research: ZAL is a Hamburg-based applied aeronautics research center and innovation network focused on aircraft technologies including hydrogen, fuel cells and systems integration. It is directly comparable as a German aviation R&D hub working with industry partners on sustainable aircraft concepts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bauhaus Luftfahrt