Hexagon Agility Soars into Aerospace with $7 Million Cylinder Deal

OSLO, Norway – February 12, 2026 – Hexagon Agility, a global leader in clean fuel solutions for ground transportation, has secured its first-ever order for the commercial aerospace sector, a landmark $7 million deal that signals a significant strategic expansion into one of the world's most demanding industries. The company, a subsidiary of Hexagon Composites, will supply high-pressure Type 4 carbon fiber cylinders to an unnamed commercial aerospace firm, with deliveries scheduled throughout 2026.

This inaugural order marks a pivotal moment for Hexagon Agility, validating its advanced composite technology beyond its established market of natural gas fuel systems for commercial vehicles. By entering the aerospace arena, the company is leveraging its core competency in lightweight, high-strength pressure vessels to tap into a new, high-value revenue stream where performance and safety are paramount.

A Strategic Leap Beyond the Highway

For decades, Hexagon Agility has been synonymous with clean energy on the road, providing composite cylinders that enable trucks and buses to run on compressed natural gas (CNG) and renewable natural gas (RNG). This new aerospace contract represents a calculated diversification, moving the company's technology from the highway to the stratosphere. While the $7 million order constitutes a modest fraction of parent company Hexagon Composites' annual revenue—which was approximately $295 million in 2025—its strategic importance far outweighs its initial financial footprint.

The move is a powerful demonstration of the company's ability to adapt its technology for new applications, creating what it terms "adjacent revenue streams." This expansion provides a buffer against macroeconomic uncertainties that can affect the ground transportation market and positions Hexagon for long-term growth in the burgeoning aerospace composites sector. The contract serves as a strong proof of concept, opening the door for future, potentially larger orders from a customer base that demands the highest levels of engineering and reliability.

Production of the cylinders will take place at Hexagon Agility's facility in Lincoln, Nebraska, a site with a deep and relevant history. This facility's legacy stretches back to 1963, when it produced filament-wound rocket motor cases for NASA, giving the company a foundational, six-decade-long expertise in manufacturing high-performance composites for space and aerospace applications.

The Technology Behind the Breakthrough

The cornerstone of this deal is Hexagon's Type 4 composite cylinder technology. These are the most advanced commercially available pressure vessels, constructed with a polymer liner fully wrapped in a carbon fiber composite. This design makes them up to 70% lighter than traditional steel cylinders (Type 1) while offering exceptional strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion and fatigue. It is this combination of low weight and high performance that makes them ideal for aerospace.

"Aerospace applications represent one of the most demanding environments, and this order reflects the innovation, dedication, and engineering excellence behind our technology," said Brad Garner, Chief Technology Officer at Hexagon Agility, in a statement. "We are proud to work with this customer and support them in their development efforts."

In an aircraft, every kilogram saved translates directly into improved fuel efficiency, increased payload capacity, or extended range. While the specific application for this order was not disclosed, high-pressure composite cylinders are critical for numerous aerospace functions. These include storing oxygen for emergency crew and passenger breathing systems, housing inert gases for fire suppression systems, and acting as pressurant tanks for satellite and launch vehicle propulsion systems. The versatility of these cylinders makes them a key enabling technology for next-generation aircraft and spacecraft.

Navigating a Competitive and Growing Market

Hexagon Agility is entering a dynamic and highly competitive market. The global aerospace composites sector is projected to grow substantially, with some market analyses forecasting it to expand from approximately $30 billion in 2025 to over $53 billion by 2030. This growth is fueled by an industry-wide push to build lighter, more fuel-efficient aircraft to meet stringent environmental regulations and reduce operating costs.

The company will be competing alongside established aerospace material giants such as Hexcel, a leading producer of aerospace-grade carbon fiber, and Toray Composite Materials America, whose products are integral to modern airliners like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The market also includes specialized pressure vessel manufacturers like Infinite Composites and Steelhead Composites.

However, Hexagon Agility's extensive experience in the mass production of certified high-pressure cylinders for the automotive sector gives it a unique advantage. The company's deep understanding of manufacturing standards, quality control, and supply chain management—honed over decades of serving a global market—positions it well to meet the rigorous demands and certification requirements of the aerospace industry, which include standards like AS9100. This background, combined with its historical NASA work, provides a credible foundation for its re-entry into the aerospace supply chain.

This initial contract serves as a critical validation of Hexagon's capabilities, proving that its technology, born from the drive for cleaner ground transportation, has the sophistication and reliability to help shape the future of flight.