FibreCoat, based in Aachen, Germany, and  Lofith Composites of Valancia, Spain, have announced a strategic partnership to develop next-generation thermoplastic composites for space applications.

The companies will integrate FibreCoat’s coated fibres into Lofith’s recyclable, high-performance composites to produce a lightweight structural material designed to meet the extreme demands of space.

The first orbital demonstration of the jointly-developed material is planned for 2026, when a satellite will carry test panels into orbit for 12 months.

During the orbital demonstration, detectors attached to the test panels will track dangerous ionizing radiation with and without shielding, temperature changes and other environmental effects. These results will be key to seeing if the materials are ‘space-ready’ – and meet the needs of space companies for resilient, lightweight, cost-efficient materials. The test is expected to take place between the first and second quarters of 2026.

Lofith Composites, launched in 2024, has developed a unique impregnation process that delivers an up to 50% weight reduction and 30% higher strength than aluminium, as well as full recyclability. The manufacturing process also consumes less water than conventional composite methods.

FibreCoat, which recently secured €500,000 in funding after winning the Industry category in the DLR INNOspace Masters’ DLR Challenge, has developed a novel way to coat metals and plastics onto fibres during the fibre spinning process. Its products offer strength and conductivity at a fraction of the weight and cost of competing products and the company’s latest Bismuth-based coating brings added functionality.

“Space pushes materials to their limits,” said Robert Brüll, founder and CEO of FibreCoat. “By combining FibreCoat’s coated fibres with Lofith advanced composites, we are proving that strength, survivability and cost-efficiency can go hand in hand – while also protecting the environment. We are confident that the upcoming orbital test will prove that our technology is ready for use in space.”

“Our goal has always been to deliver the next generation of thermoplastic composites that are recyclable, strong and able to remain robust even in harsh environments,” added Amador García Sancho, CEO of Lofith Composites. “Partnering with FibreCoat allows us to combine our expertise and qualify a material that can be used for satellite panels and a wide range of other applications. This is a real milestone in building sustainable space infrastructure.”

The news comes at a time of rapid growth in the global space sector, forecast by the World Economic Forum to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035.

www.fibrecoat.de

www.lofithcomposites.com