Project team

Fraunhofer ISC is a materials research institute whose mission is to develop innovative non-metallic materials for tomorrow's products. Fraunhofer-Center HTL bundles the ceramics activities – ceramic fibres, CMCs, engineering ceramics, simulation and thermal processes for production of these - of the Fraunhofer-Institute for Silicate Research ISC. It currently has around 100 employees at its three locations in Germany in Bayreuth, Würzburg and Münchberg. More than 4700 m² of high-quality laboratory and pilot plant space with state-of-the-art equipment is available for development projects and R&D services. Role in the project: The main role of Fraunhofer HTL is the development of a next generation oxide ceramic fibre for CMC application, upscaling fibre technology to an industrial level and the coordination of the project. Website

Pyromeral Systems is a leading developer and producer of mineral composite materials and parts designed for fire resistance or for exposure to high temperatures. With our expertise in inorganic polymers and their use for the production of glass ceramic matrix composites, we manufacture innovative components that bring convenient solutions to applications requiring heat and fire resistance. Our products are used in motorsports, aerospace new mobilities solutions and defence. Typical uses include: lightweight composites heatshields or exhaust ducts, insulating panels, and flame barriers to protect components when batteries thermal runaway. Website

Royal NLR operates as an objective and independent research centre, working with its partners towards a better world tomorrow. As part of that, NLR offers innovative solutions and technical expertise, creating a strong competitive position for the commercial sector. The combination of in-depth insights into customers’ needs, multidisciplinary expertise and state-of-the-art research facilities makes rapid innovation possible. Both domestically and abroad, NLR plays a pivotal role between science, the commercial sector and governmental authorities, bridging the gap between fundamental research and practical applications. Additionally, NLR is one of the large technological institutes (GTIs) that have been collaborating over a decade in the Netherlands on applied research united in the TO2 federation. From its main offices in Amsterdam and Marknesse plus two satellite offices, NLR helps to create a safe and sustainable society. It works with partners on numerous programmes in both civil aviation and defence, including work on complex composite structures for commercial aircraft and on goal-oriented use of the F-35 fighter. Additionally, NLR helps to achieve both Dutch and European goals and climate objectives in line with the Luchtvaartnota (Aviation Policy Document), the European Green Deal and Flightpath 2050, and by participating in programs such as Clean Sky and SESAR. Website

Safran is a leading equipment supplier in the fields of Aerospace, Defence and Security. A Group of more than 70,000 people, Safran has a leading position in its markets, alone or in partnership, in the world or in Europe. Safran Ceramics is Safran’s centre of excellence in high-temperature composite materials and especially in ceramics matrix composites (CMC). The company develops advanced ceramic technologies for Safran’s products, covering all aspects from basic research to production. Safran Ceramics designs and develops the composites materials, the parts, the processes and the means of production for Safran’s applications. The company provides also the transfer of its knowledge to Safran’s companies and their subcontractors who are in charge of the manufacturing and marketing of the final products. Website

For more than 130 years RATH has been burning for refractory products: This makes the Austrian company, which operates internationally, one of the most recognized specialists in the field of refractory technology. Based on more than three decades of experience in the development and manufacturing of high-temperature ceramic fibers, Rath is on its way to becoming the first European supplier of continuous oxide-ceramic fibers in Europe. The specialists at RATH have extensive know-how of the aluminum, glass, iron and steel, energy, chemical or ceramics industry, which enables them to understand the specific requirements and processes of each customer. Furthermore the company attaches high importance to research and development: Based on 35 years of experience in the development and manufacturing of high-temperature ceramic fibers, RATH continues to search for innovative ways to provide new product solutions for the industry. Continuously spun oxide-ceramic fibers represent a critical raw material for the manufacturing of oxide-ceramic matrix composites. These types of fibers prove to be one of the most innovative and most challenging materials to manufacture in the ceramic sector. There is only one supplier in the entire world, which is located in the USA. Since oxide-ceramic fibers are labelled as dual-use goods, they are subject to export control and hence the supply of fibers to Europe is uncertain and slow. Acknowledging that there is a strong request for a European supplier for these fibers, RATH took up the challenge and continues to develop product solutions for Ox-CMC manufacturers. Thus the company is on its way to becoming the first European supplier for oxide-ceramic fibers and looking forward to providing state-of-the-art oxide-ceramic fibers with the highest quality in mechanical strength and thermal stability. Website

Porcher industries is a world leader in technical textiles and high-performance thermoplastic composites. Thanks to its 1650 employees spread over 3 continents (Europe, Asia, Americas), Porcher industries designs and produces innovative materials with properties adapted to ultra-targeted uses, notably for aeronautics, defense, automotive, construction, industry, sports and leisure. Recognized worldwide as a pioneer in the sector, Porcher Industries supports its customers' R&D departments at a very early stage to help them anticipate tomorrow's technological developments in terms of lightness, safety, performance and comfort. Website

Founded in 1939, the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) is a public research organisation under the administrative authority of the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research. CNRS counts more than 1100 research units spread throughout France, with different types of laboratories mostly in partnership with universities such as the University of Limoges (UNILIM). In InVECOF, CNRS and UNILIM are represented by the Institute of Research for Ceramics (IRCER). IRCER is a Joint Research Unit located in Limoges employing 110 permanent staff members and around 100 PhD students and postdocs. IRCER associates chemists, engineers and physicists and is renowned for its activity in materials science mostly ceramics as “Centre Européen de la Céramique” and process engineering. Role in the project: The involvement of IRCER in InVECOF will provide the mandatory know-how in sol-gel and PDC syntheses, oxide/oxynitride ceramics, processing, sintering and characterization. Website

University of Limoges (UNILIM) is a French public university counting more than 16,000 students and near 1,000 scholars and researchers. It offers complete curricula up to the doctorates and beyond in the traditional areas of knowledge. It was structured in 1968 by the grouping of higher education institutions in Limoges. In InVECOF, CNRS and UNILIM are represented by the Institute of Research for Ceramics (IRCER). IRCER is a Joint Research Unit located in Limoges employing 110 permanent staff members and around 100 PhD students and postdocs. IRCER associates chemists, engineers and physicists and is renowned for its activity in materials science mostly ceramics as “Centre Européen de la Céramique” and process engineering. Role in the project: The involvement of IRCER in InVECOF will provide the mandatory know-how in sol-gel and PDC syntheses, oxide/oxynitride ceramics, processing, sintering and characterization. Website

ArianeGroup is a world leader in access to space, serving institutional and commercial customers and supporting Europe’s strategic independence. Equally owned by Airbus and Safran, ArianeGroup houses the entire scope of their civil and military launcher activities and competences in a single, coherent company, with a workforce of over 8,000 highly skilled people in France and Germany. ArianeGroup develop highly competitive solutions for civil and military launch systems and space applications, relying on our expertise in the most cutting-edge technologies, from all aspects of complete propulsion systems right down to the items of equipment and materials. We are developing and manufacturing high temperature materials for our applications for decades. And oxide-oxide composites are one of these key technologies. Role in the project: As end-user of oxide fibres, ArianeGroup will participate to the evaluation of the new fibres regarding manufacturing issues and final characteristics of the composite. Website

Rauschert Heinersdorf-Pressig GmbH (RAU) is an independent, family owned company with more 110 years of experience in the manufacture of both technical ceramic and plastic components for industrial customers. We operate 12 factories worldwide, with ca. 1,200 employees. We are one of the top ten manufacturers in the technical ceramics industry worldwide, focusing on innovative products in niche markets. With a unique set of technical capabilities we are able to offer tailor made solutions for our customers’ problems. As a global network of professionals, we are ambitious to build a world-class organization. Rauschert has a long term experience in injection molding, dry and wet-pressing and extrusion of ceramics as the basic technology to produce technical ceramics. Ceramic thread guides for textile industry are one of the key markets since more than 70 years for Rauschert. In 2019 Rauschert began to establish processing technologies for manufacturing oxide-based ceramic-matrix-composites (O-CMC). Currently Rauschert is strengthening its own processing capabilities and is running application tests of own O-CMC products. Website

AMIRES, The business innovation management institute (ABIMI) is a non-profit institute that has been founded with the goal to manage national and internal R&D&I projects, to promote different funding opportunities for these projects, to disseminate information and organize events as well as to develop new methods of data acquisition, processing and visualization and testing of their usability. The institute provides the necessary strategic and administrative support to high quality international teams to achieve their objectives and facilitates the research-industrial and research-policy making interface. ABIMI follows projects from their initiation and planning, through negotiation, execution, promotion of results and management to the final stage, where exploitation of new technologies, products or services is facilitated. ABIMI is based in the Czech Republic but provides its services all around Europe. The institute builds its knowledge on the long track of successful experience in European R&D&I of its founder AMIRES s.r.o. Role in the project: Within the project ABIMI will be actively involved in the administrative project management tasks and will be responsible for the dissemination and exploitation activities. The institute will support the coordinator and WP leaders with assistance needed for seamless project execution, timely reporting and budget follow-up. Moreover, ABIMI will support coordination of project meetings and dissemination (e.g. webpage, press releases, and leaflets). Website