PETROCERAMICS SPA

Their core work

Petroceramics is an Italian SME specializing in advanced ceramic materials and ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) for demanding industrial applications. They develop manufacturing processes for ceramic preforms and thermal barrier solutions, serving sectors where extreme heat resistance and lightweight materials are critical. Their work spans from magnetic material development to aerospace-grade thermal protection systems, positioning them as a materials technology provider for transport and manufacturing supply chains.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Petroceramics entered H2020 working on ceramic composite manufacturing processes (ROLL-IT, 2018) and advanced magnetic materials (AMPHIBIAN, 2017-2019), reflecting a broad advanced materials focus. Their most recent project, CHRZASZCZ (2021-2023), shows a clear pivot toward aerospace thermal protection — specifically auxiliary power unit components. This shift suggests they are moving from general advanced ceramics R&D toward specialized aerospace and transport applications where their ceramic expertise has high commercial value.

Petroceramics is moving toward aerospace and aviation thermal management applications, making them an increasingly relevant partner for transport-sector projects requiring advanced ceramic thermal barriers.

How they like to work

Petroceramics operates primarily as a specialist contributor in larger consortia (2 of 3 projects as participant), but has demonstrated the ability to lead when the topic is their core competency — they coordinated ROLL-IT, their ceramic composite manufacturing project. With 13 unique partners across 8 countries, they maintain a diverse European network rather than relying on repeat collaborations. Their SME Phase 1 experience (ROLL-IT) shows entrepreneurial initiative alongside their consortium participation.

Petroceramics has built a network of 13 partners across 8 countries through just 3 projects, indicating they join diverse, multinational consortia rather than working within a fixed cluster of partners.

What sets them apart

Petroceramics occupies a niche at the intersection of ceramic materials science and industrial manufacturing — they don't just research ceramics, they develop scalable production methods (as shown by ROLL-IT's focus on efficient preform manufacturing). Their progression from materials R&D to aerospace thermal components demonstrates they can translate lab-level ceramic expertise into application-specific engineering. For consortium builders, they bring hands-on SME agility combined with experience in both Clean Sky-type aerospace programs and materials-focused research actions.

Highlights from their portfolio

• ROLL-IT
  Petroceramics coordinated this SME Phase 1 project on ceramic matrix composite manufacturing, signaling it as their core business proposition.
• CHRZASZCZ
  Their largest funded project (EUR 266,000) under Clean Sky/JTI, marking their entry into aerospace thermal barrier optimization for APU components.
• AMPHIBIAN
  Their highest single funding (EUR 386,500), working on rare-earth-free permanent magnets — shows materials versatility beyond ceramics.