Luxembourg Institutes Conclude Breakthrough Collaboration on Sustainable Aerospace Materials

Luxembourg, August 2025 — A three-year joint research project between the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) and local deeptech firm GRADEL has reached a successful conclusion, advancing the development of ultra-lightweight, bio-based vitrimer composites aimed at aerospace applications.

Since its launch in 2022, the partnership has focused on exploring the potential of bio-based vitrimers—innovative polymers that combine strength with recyclability—to replace conventional materials in aerospace components, notably for seat fixtures and structural parts in aircraft. Vitrimers allow the composite resin and fibers to be reprocessed and recycled, addressing growing sustainability demands in the aerospace and transport sectors.

The project produced a proof-of-concept demonstrator part that matched aluminum in strength while significantly reducing weight. This lightweight feature is especially critical in aerospace where reduced mass offers substantial cost savings on fuel as well as enhanced environmental performance. The saved weight also translates into more payload capacity for satellites and spacecraft, underpinning Luxembourg’s strategic interest in space technology innovation.

LIST played a major role in formulating and testing the vitrimer resins, defining optimal manufacturing processes such as temperature and pressure controls to achieve the best mechanical properties. GRADEL contributed its expertise in robotic additive manufacturing technology to produce the complex, optimized 3D composite structures using continuous fiber winding techniques. This collaboration successfully integrated academic research with cutting-edge industrial production methods.

Both partners, supported by the Luxembourg Space Agency and European Space Agency, view this milestone as a gateway towards broader industrial applications beyond aerospace, including automotive and renewable energy sectors. Claude Maack, CEO of GRADEL, emphasized that the sustainable composites developed could become industry standards within a decade, reflecting Luxembourg’s increasing leadership in advanced materials research and sustainable technology development.

This article integrates verified details from LIST, GRADEL, and independent trade sources highlighting the innovative project’s significance to aerospace sustainability and Luxembourg’s R&D landscape.

Read More : LIST & GRADEL announce joint Luxembourg lab – FEDIL
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