Spanish research centre specializing in advanced polymer processing, composite manufacturing, and bio-based recyclable materials for aerospace, automotive, and packaging industries.
AITIIP is a Spanish research centre specializing in advanced polymer processing, composite manufacturing, and sustainable materials for the automotive, aerospace, and packaging industries. They develop industrial-scale solutions for injection moulding, additive manufacturing, thermoplastic welding, and automated tooling — bridging the gap between lab-grade bio-based materials and real production lines. Their work consistently targets circularity: making thermoset composites recyclable, replacing petrochemical plastics with bio-based alternatives, and finding enzymatic routes to decompose end-of-life composites. They also bring strong capabilities in food packaging innovation, from multilayer sustainable packaging to smart labelling for food waste reduction.
Core capability demonstrated across KRAKEN, WINBOXTOOL, Falcon, HERON, ECO-CLIP, INNOTOOL, INN-PAEK, WELDER, HELACS — spanning RTM, press-forming, injection moulding, and welding for aerospace and automotive parts.
Deep track record in circular plastics through ECOXY (3R fibre-reinforced composites), VIBES (vitrimer-based thermoset recycling), CIRC-PACK (circular packaging), POLYNSPIRE (plastic recycling), BARBARA (biopolymer additive manufacturing), and BIZENTE (enzymatic thermoset decomposition).
Consistent packaging focus from CIRC-PACK and MANDALA (multilayer-to-monolayer transition) through SISTERS (food waste reduction via smart packaging) and INN-PRESSME (plant-based nano-biomaterials for packaging).
Clean Sheet 2 Joint Undertaking projects (WINBOXTOOL, Falcon, HERON, ECO-CLIP, HELACS) focused on fuselage components, thermoplastic composites, and aircraft dismantling/recycling.
Growing bio-route focus visible in BIZENTE (ligninases for thermoset decomposition), EnXylaScope (xylan-processing enzymes), and FUNGUSCHAIN (mushroom agrowaste valorisation).
BARBARA (fused filament fabrication with biopolymers), ECO-CLIP (3D printing for aerospace clips), and broader integration of ALM in HERON.
In 2016–2019, AITIIP focused heavily on automated composite tooling for aerospace (KRAKEN, WINBOXTOOL, Falcon) alongside early work in bio-based plastics and packaging circularity (BARBARA, CIRC-PACK, ECOXY). From 2020 onward, the centre shifted toward end-of-life solutions — enzymatic decomposition of thermosets (BIZENTE), vitrimer-based recyclability (VIBES), aircraft dismantling (HELACS) — and expanded into food systems (SISTERS, EnXylaScope) and digital production platforms (ACROBA). The trajectory is clear: from making composite parts to making composite parts that can be unmade and remade sustainably.
AITIIP is converging on the full lifecycle of composite materials — from bio-based production through enzymatic and chemical recycling — making them a strong fit for any consortium targeting circular manufacturing or sustainable packaging.
AITIIP splits almost evenly between coordinating (12 projects) and participating (12), which is unusual for a mid-sized research centre — it signals both leadership capacity and willingness to contribute as a technical partner. With 249 unique consortium partners across 26 countries, they operate as a well-connected hub rather than a closed network. Their project sizes range from focused 4-5 partner teams (Clean Sky JTI projects) to large demonstration consortia (POLYNSPIRE, SISTERS), showing flexibility in consortium formats.
Extensive European network of 249 distinct partners spanning 26 countries, with particularly strong ties to the aerospace supply chain (via Clean Sky 2) and the bio-based industries ecosystem (via BBI JU projects). Geographic reach is broadly pan-European with no obvious concentration beyond Spain.
AITIIP occupies a rare niche: they combine hands-on polymer processing expertise (injection moulding, RTM, welding, 3D printing) with deep knowledge of bio-based and recyclable materials. Most composite centres focus on making things; AITIIP also focuses on unmaking them — through enzymatic, chemical, and mechanical recycling routes. This dual capability in production AND end-of-life makes them especially valuable for projects that need to demonstrate full circularity, not just greener materials.
