INVENT INNOVATIVE VERBUNDWERKSTOFFEREALISATION UND VERMARKTUNG NEUERTECHNOLOGIEN GMBH

Their core work

INVENT is a German SME specializing in advanced composite structures and lightweight engineering, primarily for aerospace and space applications. They design, manufacture, and qualify fiber-reinforced composite components — from aircraft structural parts to large deployable antennas for satellites. Their work spans the full lifecycle: from eco-design and additive manufacturing through maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) to end-of-life dismantling and composite material recycling. Based in Braunschweig, a hub for German aerospace R&D, they bridge the gap between composite materials research and industrial-scale production.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2014–2018), INVENT focused on established composite manufacturing for aerospace structures and began exploring circular economy applications — reuse of end-of-life fiber composites and new recycling business models through FiberEUse. From 2020 onward, their focus shifted decisively toward sustainable aviation: eco-design principles, additive manufacturing, thermoplastic welding, morphing wing structures, and full-lifecycle thinking from production through MRO to end-of-life dismantling. This evolution shows a company moving from "we make composite parts" to "we make composite parts sustainably and smartly across their entire lifecycle."

INVENT is positioning itself at the intersection of lightweight aerospace composites and circular economy — expect them to pursue projects combining advanced manufacturing (thermoplastics, additive) with sustainability metrics and lifecycle management.

How they like to work

INVENT operates exclusively as a specialist partner — across all 8 projects they have never coordinated, indicating they contribute deep technical capabilities rather than manage consortia. With 144 unique partners across 17 countries, they maintain a remarkably broad network for an SME, suggesting they are a sought-after technical contributor that different consortia actively recruit. Their participation in Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking projects alongside mainstream H2020 calls shows they are trusted by both institutional frameworks and ad-hoc research teams.

An unusually well-connected SME with 144 distinct consortium partners across 17 countries, reflecting deep integration into Europe's aerospace and composites research ecosystem. Their network is centered on Western European aerospace hubs but extends broadly across the EU.

What sets them apart

INVENT occupies a rare niche as an SME that can take composite structures from concept through manufacturing to end-of-life recycling — most competitors specialize in only one stage. Their Braunschweig location places them next to DLR and TU Braunschweig, giving them direct access to Germany's aerospace research core. For consortium builders, INVENT brings manufacturing credibility (they are a PRC, not a research org) combined with genuine R&D capability across the composite lifecycle — a combination that satisfies EU project evaluators looking for industry involvement with real exploitation potential.

Highlights from their portfolio

• FiberEUse
  Their largest-funded project (EUR 581,700) and a departure from pure aerospace — demonstrating circular economy value-chains for end-of-life fiber composites at industrial scale.
• GRETEL
  Highest single EC contribution (EUR 665,480) focused on laminar flow wind tunnel testing for green turboprop aircraft — their most research-intensive aerospace engagement.
• SUSTAINair
  Most recent project combining the broadest set of their capabilities — additive manufacturing, thermoplastic welding, SHM, MRO, and end-of-life dismantling in one airframe sustainability initiative.