AUREL SPA

Their core work

AUREL SPA is an Italian SME specializing in advanced materials processing and assembly technologies for electronics and semiconductor applications. They contributed manufacturing expertise to the EU's flagship graphene research programme across two consecutive phases, working on integrating graphene and layered materials into electronics, sensors, and energy devices. More recently, they have moved into power semiconductor manufacturing, specifically vertical gallium nitride (GaN) on silicon — a technology aimed at producing high-efficiency power transistors at lower cost.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

AUREL began their H2020 journey embedded in the Graphene Flagship (2016-2020), focused on fundamental graphene and layered material integration into composite materials, sensors, and biomedical technologies. From 2021 onward, they pivoted toward a more targeted application: wide band gap power semiconductors using vertical GaN-on-silicon architectures. This shift signals a move from broad advanced materials exploration toward a specific, high-value industrial application in power electronics.

AUREL is moving from broad graphene research toward focused power semiconductor manufacturing, positioning themselves at the intersection of advanced materials knowledge and industrial-scale GaN power device production.

How they like to work

AUREL operates exclusively as a participant, never coordinating projects — consistent with an SME contributing specialized manufacturing capability to larger research efforts. Their 260 unique partners across 24 countries reflect participation in very large flagship-scale consortia rather than tight bilateral partnerships. This means they are experienced at integrating into complex multi-partner programmes but may not drive the research agenda themselves.

Through the Graphene Flagship alone, AUREL has collaborated with 260 partners across 24 countries, giving them an exceptionally broad European network for an SME of their size. Their network spans most major EU research nations, though the large partner count is a function of flagship-scale consortia rather than individually cultivated relationships.

What sets them apart

AUREL brings an unusual combination: hands-on industrial manufacturing capability informed by years inside Europe's largest advanced materials research programme. For consortium builders, their value lies in bridging the gap between laboratory-scale graphene and GaN research and real manufacturing processes. As an SME from Emilia-Romagna with direct experience in both the Graphene Flagship and a dedicated GaN power project, they offer practical production knowledge that pure research partners cannot.

Highlights from their portfolio

• GrapheneCore2
  Part of the billion-euro Graphene Flagship — Europe's largest-ever research initiative — where AUREL contributed to translating graphene research into electronics, sensors, and energy applications.
• YESvGaN
  Targets a commercially critical goal: producing vertical GaN power transistors at silicon cost, which could disrupt the power electronics market currently dominated by silicon carbide.