AERNNOVA ENGINEERING DIVISION SAU

Their core work

Aernnova is a major Spanish aerospace engineering company specializing in the design, manufacture, and lifecycle management of advanced composite aerostructures. They supply structural components and assemblies to leading aircraft manufacturers, with deep expertise in carbon fiber composites, structural health monitoring, and manufacturing process optimization. In H2020, they contribute real-world aerospace manufacturing capability to projects developing next-generation composite materials, smart monitoring systems, and circular economy solutions for end-of-life composite structures.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early period (2014–2018), Aernnova focused on fundamental composite material improvements — carbon nanofibers, functionalized carbon fibers, and mechanical property enhancement (MODCOMP), alongside initial Clean Sky airframe work and composite reuse (FiberEUse). From 2019 onward, the focus shifted decisively toward smart, digitally-enabled manufacturing: photonic sensors for self-monitoring tools (SEER), Industry 4.0 process automation, structural health monitoring, and maintenance scheduling (SuCoHS). This evolution mirrors the broader aerospace industry's transition from material science advances to intelligent production and lifecycle management.

Aernnova is moving from pure material and structural expertise toward digitalized, sensor-integrated manufacturing and predictive maintenance — making them a strong partner for Industry 4.0 applications in aerospace and beyond.

How they like to work

Aernnova never coordinates H2020 projects — they contribute as either a direct participant (6 projects) or as a third party through Clean Sky 2 and Shift2Rail joint undertakings (6 projects). With 246 unique partners across 22 countries, they operate as a well-connected industrial contributor embedded in large European consortia. Their consistent presence across multiple Clean Sky airframe calls suggests they serve as a trusted Tier 1 supplier that research consortia bring in for real manufacturing validation.

Extensive European network spanning 246 unique consortium partners across 22 countries, built primarily through large Clean Sky 2 and Shift2Rail joint undertaking projects alongside multi-partner Innovation Actions. Their network is weighted toward Western European aerospace and transport hubs.

What sets them apart

Aernnova bridges the gap between laboratory composite research and industrial-scale aerospace manufacturing — a capability few academic or SME partners can offer. Their dual presence in both aviation (Clean Sky) and rail (Shift2Rail) means they can transfer composite engineering knowledge across transport modes. For consortium builders, they bring a credible industrial end-user voice that strengthens exploitation plans and TRL advancement arguments.

Highlights from their portfolio

• MODCOMP
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 499,835) and most technically detailed project — carbon nanofiber-enhanced composites with aerospace applications.
• SEER
  Represents Aernnova's strategic shift toward Industry 4.0, combining photonic sensors with composite manufacturing for self-monitoring smart tooling.
• FiberEUse
  Unusual circular economy angle for an aerospace manufacturer — large-scale demonstration of composite reuse and recycling value chains.