FUNDACION PARA LA INVESTIGACION, DESARROLLO Y APLICACION DE MATERIALES COMPUESTOS

Their core work

FIDAMC is a Spanish research centre specializing in composite materials for aerospace and transport applications. They develop, test, and manufacture advanced composite structures — from acoustic damping panels to full-scale aircraft fuselage components — bridging the gap between lab-scale material science and industrial production. Their work spans the entire composite lifecycle: design, simulation, manufacturing process optimization (infusion, prepreg), and structural health monitoring. They are deeply embedded in Europe's aeronautics supply chain through Clean Sky 2 and Graphene Flagship programmes.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2014–2018), FIDAMC focused on foundational aerospace composite manufacturing and entered the Graphene Flagship, while also exploring nanocomposite pilot plants and acoustic damping materials. From 2019 onward, their work shifted toward full-scale demonstrators (FUSINBUL built a complete pressure bulkhead), intelligent health monitoring of composite structures (ENHAnCE), and graphene pilot line industrialization. The trend is clear: moving from material development and process R&D toward production-scale demonstration and predictive lifecycle management.

FIDAMC is evolving from a materials research lab into a full-scale composite demonstrator facility with growing capabilities in structural health monitoring and predictive maintenance — making them increasingly relevant for industrialization-stage partnerships.

How they like to work

FIDAMC operates primarily as a specialist partner (15 of 18 projects), contributing deep composite materials expertise to large industry-led consortia. Their three coordinator roles were all in Clean Sky 2 — tightly scoped, technology-specific projects (acoustic damping, thermal conductivity, pressure bulkheads). With 443 unique consortium partners across 25 countries, they are well-networked but tend to serve as a trusted technical contributor rather than a consortium architect.

FIDAMC has worked with 443 distinct partners across 25 countries, reflecting deep integration into Europe's aeronautics and advanced materials research ecosystem. Their network is anchored in the Clean Sky 2 and Graphene Flagship mega-programmes, giving them connections to most major aerospace OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, and materials research institutes across the EU.

What sets them apart

FIDAMC sits at the intersection of advanced materials science (graphene, nanocomposites) and full-scale aerospace manufacturing — a rare combination. Most composite research centres either stay at lab scale or focus on production without deep materials innovation; FIDAMC bridges both, as shown by their simultaneous involvement in the Graphene Flagship and Clean Sky 2 demonstrator programmes. Their location in Getafe, adjacent to Airbus operations in Spain, gives them direct access to one of Europe's largest aircraft manufacturing sites.

Highlights from their portfolio

• GAM AIR 2018
  Largest single project by funding (EUR 3.25M) — core airframe technology development within Clean Sky 2, representing FIDAMC's deepest aerospace engagement.
• FUSINBUL
  One of only three projects FIDAMC coordinated — built a full-scale pressure bulkhead demonstrator using infusion and dry fiber techniques for future regional aircraft.
• GrapheneCore3
  Part of a decade-long commitment to the Graphene Flagship across all three core phases, demonstrating sustained investment in graphene-composite integration from lab to pilot line.