CIDETEC Surface Engineering organises a technical conference on trends in composite materials for the sustainable transformation of the European aeronautics industry

A working day on the AIRPOXY project organised by CIDETEC Surface Engineering was held at Hotel Arima in Gipuzkoa Science and Technology Park on 15th June. The event combined dissemination of the results of the project with several talks by renowned experts on trends and needs in composite materials in the aeronautical sector. They all agreed on the need to address a series of challenges that will lead to the consolidation of a circular economy model that envisages use of sustainable materials, zero waste, multifunctionality, consumption efficiency, material lightening, and reuse, recyclability and efficient waste management systems, among others.

The AIRPOXY project started in 2018, and will end in August this year. Its goal is to advance from TRL3 (proof of concept) to TRL 5 (validation in industrial environment) in developing a new family of 3R thermostable resins based on dynamic bonds for aeronautical applications. The consortium, led by CIDETEC Surface Engineering, is formed by Leibniz-Institut für Verbundwerkstoffe, Coexpair, EURECAT, ÉireComposites, IDEC, Sonaca, University of Ioannina, Altair, Arttic and the Spanish Association for Standardization (UNE), totalling eleven partners from six European countries.

CIDETEC patented its 3R technology (Reprocessable, Repairable and Recyclable high-performance fibre-reinforced thermostable resins) in 2014, and with this project has sought to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of the resins used in order to meet the demanding requirements of the aeronautical sector.

The day, which was attended by more than fifty experts, was divided into several sessions dedicated to new materials, manufacturing and sustainability. The welcome by Andrés Catalán, Secretary General of PAE (Spanish Aerospace Technology Platform), was followed by eleven presentations by representatives of Airbus, Huntsman, Leibniz-VW, Altair, Idec, Sonaca, Aernnova, University of Ioannina and Specific Polymers. On behalf of CIDETEC, Nerea Markaide introduced the AIRPOXY project and Alaitz Ruiz de Luzuriaga presented the raw materials and 3R intermediate products developed in the project.  The round table, chaired by Elena Jubete of CIDETEC, was attended by experts from AIRBUS, INTA/EREA, ÉIRE COMPOSITES, SONACA, COEXPAIR and IDEC. The day ended with a visit to CIDETEC Surface Engineering’s facilities and showroom, where attendees were given the chance to see the materials and demonstrators developed during the project.

The attendees were very positive about both the conclusions and the high standard of presentations during the event.