FibreCoat + Lofith: Testing New High-Performance Composites in Space

German and Spanish materials specialists FibreCoat and Lofith Composites have announced a partnership to develop high-performance thermoplastic composite materials for use in space. In 2026, a satellite is scheduled to carry test panels of the jointly developed material into orbit for approximately twelve months to examine their behavior under real-world space conditions.

During the orbital test, sensors on the panels will measure ionizing radiation, temperature changes, and other environmental influences, both with and without radiation shielding. The results are expected to provide insights into the materials' suitability for aerospace applications.

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The cooperation combines FibreCoat's technology for fiber coating with Lofith's process for manufacturing thermoplastic tapes and composites. By integrating coated fibers into recyclable high-performance composites, the goal is to create lightweight, robust, and sustainable structural materials. According to the partners, these materials allow for up to 50 percent weight reduction and 30 percent higher strength compared to conventional materials such as aluminum.

Lofith Composites, founded in 2024, has developed a fiber impregnation process with reduced water consumption, which is intended to allow for the complete recyclability of the materials. FibreCoat, founded in Germany in 2020 and winner of the DLR INNOspace Masters 2025, produces coated fibers that combine mechanical strength and electrical conductivity. The manufacturing process is claimed to require around 90 percent less energy than conventional methods and can be deployed modularly worldwide.

With the planned test flight, both companies aim to prove that their technology meets the requirements of space travel. In the long term, the materials are also intended for use in other sectors such as defense, mobility, and construction.

The partnership takes place against the backdrop of a dynamically growing space market, which the World Economic Council estimates will reach $1.8 trillion US dollars by 2035. The need for lightweight, durable, and sustainable materials is considered central to the further expansion of space infrastructure.

More information: fibrecoat.de, lofithcomposites.com

Fibrecoat GmbH, Aachen/Germany + Lofith Composites, Paterna, Spain

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