SZELIGA GRZEGORZ

Their core work

SZEL-TECH is a Polish engineering and manufacturing company specializing in aerospace structural components, particularly airframe structures and engine nacelles for aircraft. They contribute design and manufacturing expertise to major European aviation R&D programmes, including Clean Sky 2 initiatives focused on next-generation tilt rotor aircraft. Their work spans from wind tunnel test components to flight-ready nacelle structures, positioning them as a specialist supplier in the European aerospace supply chain.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

SZEL-TECH entered H2020 through general airframe work (GAM AIR 2018, starting 2014), contributing to broad Airframe ITD activities without a narrow specialization visible from that project alone. From 2018 onward, they clearly pivoted toward tilt rotor aircraft technology — first through wind tunnel work (HIGHTRIP) and then nacelle structure manufacturing (TRAIL), while their most recent project (GAM-2020-AIR) introduced eco-design and energy efficiency keywords. The trajectory shows a company that moved from general airframe subcontracting toward specialized tilt rotor component manufacturing with growing attention to sustainability.

SZEL-TECH is moving toward lightweight, eco-designed aerospace structures for next-generation vertical-lift aircraft — a niche with growing demand as tilt rotor concepts approach commercial viability.

How they like to work

SZEL-TECH operates exclusively as a participant, never leading projects, which is consistent with a specialized manufacturing contributor embedded in large aviation consortia. With 99 unique partners across 15 countries from just 4 projects, they work in very large Clean Sky 2-type consortia where dozens of partners each contribute specific components. This profile suggests a reliable, specialized supplier that integrates well into complex multi-partner aerospace programmes.

Despite only 4 projects, SZEL-TECH has worked with 99 unique partners across 15 countries — a consequence of participating in large Clean Sky 2 consortia that bring together the full European aerospace supply chain. Their network reach is broad but driven by programme structure rather than independent relationship-building.

What sets them apart

SZEL-TECH brings Polish manufacturing capability to high-end European aerospace R&D, a relatively uncommon combination in Clean Sky 2 projects that are often dominated by Western European aerospace giants. Their specific experience with tilt rotor nacelle structures places them in a small group of companies with hands-on expertise in this emerging aircraft category. For consortium builders, they offer competitive manufacturing costs combined with proven participation in demanding aviation programmes.

Highlights from their portfolio

• TRAIL
  Most technically specific project — designing and manufacturing a high-performance, low-weight nacelle structure for the next-generation civil tilt rotor aircraft.
• GAM AIR 2018
  Their largest single EC contribution (EUR 375,154) and earliest H2020 project, establishing their foothold in Airframe ITD work.
• HIGHTRIP
  Wind tunnel testing for high-speed civil tilt rotor — a bridge project connecting their airframe background to specialized tilt rotor expertise.