Brussels SME providing materials engineering, composite recycling, and data interoperability expertise across 20 EU manufacturing research projects.
IRES is a Brussels-based engineering SME specializing in advanced materials characterization, modelling, and testing services for EU research consortia. They provide expertise in nano-enabled composites, additive manufacturing processes, and materials data management — acting as a technical bridge between materials science research and industrial application. Their work spans from carbon nanofiber-reinforced composites for aerospace to recycling process development for circular economy applications, consistently contributing materials engineering know-how to large multi-partner projects.
Core contributor across MODCOMP (carbon nanofibers), SMARTFAN (turbine blade composites), Carbo4Power (offshore turbine blades), DOMMINIO (thermoplastic composites), and FAST-SMART (nano-structured materials).
Consistent involvement from M3DLoC (microfluidic 3D printing) through Repair3D (recycled plastic 3D printing), LightMe (lightweight alloy AM), imPURE (medical supplies AM), and DOMMINIO (multifunctional filaments).
Growing focus through Repair3D (CFRP recycling), DECOAT (coated materials recycling), Waste2Fresh (wastewater recycling), and INN-PRESSME (bio-based materials).
Active in Oyster (characterization/modelling environment), OntoCommons (ontology-driven data documentation), OpenModel (integrated modelling platform), and nanoMECommons (nanomechanics data protocols).
Contributed to BIORIMA (nano-biomaterial risk management) and PRO-RES (research integrity), addressing responsible use of nano-enabled materials.
Recent projects FAST-SMART (piezoelectric/thermoelectric nanomaterials) and iclimabuilt (energy harvesting building materials) signal a new direction.
In their early H2020 phase (2016–2018), IRES focused on performance-driven advanced materials: carbon nanofiber composites for aerospace (MODCOMP), nano-biomaterial safety (BIORIMA), and smart composite architectures (SMARTFAN). From 2019 onward, their work shifted markedly toward sustainability and data infrastructure — recycling of composites and plastics (Repair3D, DECOAT), circular economy processes (Waste2Fresh), and materials data standardization through ontologies and FAIR data principles (OntoCommons, OpenModel). This evolution reflects a clear pivot from "making better materials" to "making materials sustainable and their data interoperable."
IRES is moving toward the intersection of circular materials economy and digital materials data infrastructure — expect them to pursue projects combining recyclable composites with standardized materials databases.
IRES operates exclusively as a consortium participant — across all 20 projects they have never served as coordinator, suggesting they position themselves as a specialized technical contributor rather than a project leader. With 285 unique partners across 34 countries, they integrate into large, diverse consortia (typical for RIA/IA projects in NMBP and manufacturing programmes). Their breadth of partnerships indicates they are a flexible, easy-to-integrate partner rather than one tied to a fixed cluster of collaborators.
IRES has built an exceptionally wide network of 285 unique consortium partners spanning 34 countries, giving them connections across nearly all EU member states and associated countries. Their Brussels base and consistent participation in manufacturing-focused consortia makes them well-connected in the European advanced materials and nanotechnology research community.
IRES occupies a distinctive niche as a private SME that combines hands-on materials engineering with growing expertise in materials data standards and ontologies — a combination rarely found in one small company. Their 20-project track record across both physical materials work (composites, recycling, additive manufacturing) and digital infrastructure (FAIR data, ontology frameworks) makes them a versatile partner who can bridge the gap between lab-bench materials research and digital knowledge management. For consortium builders, they offer a proven, low-risk participant with deep EU project experience and no competing coordination ambitions.
