Spanish technology centre specializing in aerospace materials, additive manufacturing, surface treatments, and lifecycle assessment for the transport sector.
CTME is a Spanish technology centre specializing in advanced materials processing, surface treatments, and manufacturing technologies for the aerospace and transport sectors. Their core work involves developing and testing protective coatings, additive manufacturing methods, and eco-friendly alternatives to hazardous industrial processes. They contribute applied R&D on materials characterization, tribology, and lifecycle assessment, bridging the gap between laboratory research and industrial-scale production for aviation component manufacturers.
SEALANT (anodizing optimization), ECOLAND (eco-friendly landing gear protection), and NEMARCO (cobalt-replacement coatings) all focus on surface engineering for aircraft components.
AManECO applies selective laser melting to heat exchanger eco-design, while NEMARCO explores laser metal deposition and centrifugal casting for NiCrSiFeB alloys.
AManECO includes LCA, LCI, and eco-design database development; ECOLAND focuses on replacing hazardous chemicals in manufacturing processes.
NEMARCO involves hot hardness testing, reciprocating sliding wear analysis, and toxicity assessment of cobalt-replacement alloys.
Nature Fresh represents a diversification into compostable film packaging, their only non-aerospace project and their largest single grant (EUR 232K).
CTME's early H2020 work (2016–2018) centred on conventional surface treatment optimization for aerospace — anodizing and corrosion protection for aluminium alloys. From 2019 onward, they shifted decisively toward advanced manufacturing techniques (selective laser melting, laser metal deposition) and environmental sustainability (lifecycle assessment, eco-design, cobalt replacement). The trend is clear: moving from traditional process optimization to digitally-driven, environmentally-conscious manufacturing R&D.
CTME is positioning itself at the intersection of additive manufacturing, lifecycle assessment, and hazardous-material substitution — expect them to pursue projects where sustainability constraints drive manufacturing innovation.
CTME operates exclusively as a participant, never as coordinator, contributing specialized technical work packages within consortia. With 16 unique partners across 5 countries in just 5 projects, they connect with a moderately diverse network and do not appear locked into a single consortium cluster. Their consistent role in Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking projects (4 out of 5) suggests they are a trusted materials and manufacturing specialist called upon by aerospace-focused consortia.
CTME has collaborated with 16 distinct partners across 5 European countries, predominantly within Clean Sky 2 aerospace consortia. Their network is moderately diverse for their size, suggesting reliable partnerships within the European aviation supply chain.
CTME combines hands-on materials testing and manufacturing process development with lifecycle and environmental assessment — a relatively rare combination in a single SME-sized technology centre. Their Clean Sky 2 track record makes them a credible partner for any consortium needing applied R&D on aerospace materials, coatings, or additive manufacturing with a strong sustainability angle. For a small-city foundation, their consistent presence in competitive EU aerospace programmes signals technical credibility well above their size.
