In the early 2000s, airlines were focusing on energy savings. International competition and the democratisation of travel pushed engineers to innovate and find new technological solutions in order to carry as many passengers as possible, while consuming as little as possible. Chosen to develop the engine for the Airbus A380, Rolls-Royce has worked hard on the design of the blades of the Trent 900 engine (photo) and on the use of titanium, a lighter and stronger material than Kevlar. The reduction of noise pollution from the jet engine has also been at the heart of the engine manufacturer’s research.