AEROTEX UK LLP

Their core work

Aerotex is a UK-based aerospace engineering SME specializing in aircraft icing problems — from ice protection systems and anti-icing coatings to icing detection sensors and certification testing. They work across both fixed-wing regional aircraft and rotorcraft, contributing specialist knowledge on how ice forms on airframes and how to prevent or remove it. Their work spans materials science (icephobic and superhydrophobic coatings), flight test campaigns, and regulatory compliance for icing certification under evolving aviation safety standards.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2014-2018), Aerotex focused on airframe integration and mechanical ice protection — smart leading edges and ice protection systems for regional aircraft through the Clean Sky 2 programme. From 2019 onward, their work shifted decisively toward sensing, surface science, and certification: icing detection technologies, supercooled large droplet characterisation, icephobic coatings, and flight test validation. This evolution shows a clear move from designing physical ice protection hardware toward understanding and preventing icing at the materials and sensor level.

Aerotex is moving from mechanical ice protection toward passive surface technologies and intelligent icing detection — positioning them at the intersection of materials science and aviation safety certification.

How they like to work

Aerotex operates exclusively as a specialist participant — they have never coordinated an H2020 project, instead contributing focused icing expertise to larger consortia. With 123 unique partners across 22 countries, they are well-networked and clearly valued as a go-to icing specialist that larger aerospace primes and research institutes bring into their teams. Their consistent participation in Clean Sky 2 and major RIA projects suggests they are a trusted, repeat contributor in European aerospace safety research.

Aerotex has collaborated with 123 distinct partners across 22 countries, reflecting deep integration into the European aerospace research ecosystem. Their network spans major aviation nations and connects them to airframers, research institutes, and sensor developers across the continent.

What sets them apart

Aerotex occupies a rare niche: a small specialist firm focused entirely on aircraft icing, covering the full problem from physics and materials to detection, protection, and certification. Few SMEs combine hands-on icing engineering with the regulatory and flight-testing knowledge needed to bring ice protection solutions to market. For any consortium dealing with aviation safety in adverse weather, they bring a depth of icing expertise that larger generalist firms cannot match.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SENS4ICE
  Major EU safety initiative tackling the dangerous Appendix O (supercooled large droplet) icing conditions — directly tied to passenger safety regulation and certification reform.
• SURFICE
  Their most recent and forward-looking project, bridging materials science (icephobic coatings, superhydrophobicity) with aerospace icing — signals their strategic direction toward passive ice protection.
• InSPIRe
  Clean Sky 2 project developing smart leading edge ice protection for regional aircraft — represents their core mechanical ice protection capability.