Two European startups, Germany’s FibreCoat and Spain’s Lofith Composites, have teamed up to create a new composite material for satellite panels designed to be lighter, stronger, and more sustainable than conventional materials such as aluminum.
The companies plan to demonstrate the thermoplastic composite in orbit next year aboard an undisclosed satellite, with a year-long test evaluating its durability under radiation and extreme temperature changes in space. The new material combines FibreCoat’s proprietary fiber coating technology — which integrates metals and plastics — with Lofith’s thermoplastic tape, a recyclable material that is 50% lighter and 30% stronger than aluminum, while also using less water during production.
“Space pushes materials to their limits,” said FibreCoat CEO Robert Brüll. “By combining FibreCoat’s coated fibres with Lofith’s advanced composites, we are proving that strength, survivability, and cost-efficiency can go hand in hand. We are confident that the upcoming orbital test will prove that our technology is ready for use in space.”
The companies hope the innovation will set a new standard for in-space materials by combining reduced weight and improved structural resilience with environmental benefits and lower costs. The development also reflects growing European interest in advanced materials for aerospace and defense applications.
FibreCoat, which initially focused on terrestrial industries, has recently expanded into space technologies following a nearly €20 million ($23.1 million) Series B funding round in December. In September, the company secured an additional €500,000 ($579,000) prize at the DLR’s INNOspace Masters competition for its FibRaShield material, which offers up to 60% better radiation protection for in-space electronics compared with aluminum shielding. The firm has also developed radar-absorbing composites that could help reduce spacecraft detectability.
