Kunststoffverarbeitung Hoffmann GmbH from Heiligenhaus has been offering services in the production and processing of plastics since the mid-1960s. With the aim of diversifying its product portfolio, the company began developing CubeSat structures made of PEEK (thermoplastic high-performance plastic). The company Lamb Space Tec was founded for this purpose in 2023. The NRW.Europa team helped with the acquisition of funding.

A CubeSat is a standardised miniature satellite consisting of cube-shaped modules (units) with a side length of just 10 cm.These satellites are extremely compact, weigh a maximum of 1.33 kilograms per module and are significantly cheaper and more resilient than large satellites.Despite their small size, however, they can accommodate highly specialised technologies and are used for a variety of applications.These include earth observation, communication and technology validation. Compared to conventional aluminium structures, CubeSat structures made of PEEK are even more resource-efficient, lighter and more robust. However, the production of this plastic is not ideal from a sustainability perspective, as fossil raw materials are required for its synthesis. In order to improve sustainability and the raw material cycle, Heiligenhaus therefore focussed on the integration of biopolymers and recycled PEEK. However, this resulted in changes to the structural parameters, which made it necessary to test and qualify the new, more sustainable material.

The NewSpace startup Lamb Space Tec GmbH was founded as part of the ESA BIC (Business Incubation Centre) to develop and market the CubeSats. A few months ago, we were able to interview its Managing Director Dr Sven Langbein about the potential of this innovation.

Support from the Enterprise Europe Network
For the initial tests with biopolymers and recycled PEEK, the NRW.Europa team at ZENIT identified the EU Cascade funding opportunity ‘InTransit 1st DEVELOP Open Call’, which focuses on the green and digital transformation of SMEs in the textile, aerospace and construction sectors, as a suitable funding option.This offered 100 per cent funding of just under 50,000 euros.
In a series of counselling sessions, the team explained how the EU Cascade funding mechanism works, supported the client in structuring the project application and coached the stakeholders in preparing the application. They also provided feedback on the draft application in order to optimise the final version before submission.

‘Without funding, it is difficult to develop innovations such as our sustainable CubeSats and tap into new markets. The NRW.Europa team is a partner that no company should do without when it comes to advice on and obtaining EU funding.’
Dr Sven Langbein, Managing Director of Lamb Space Tec GmbH

With the funding approval, the initial costs for the development, testing and qualification of the new structure have been covered. The solution will also contribute to an improved circular economy and a reduction in dependence on critical raw materials in the aerospace industry.

Contact the NRW.Europa team:

ZENIT GmbH / Enterprise Europe Network
for North Rhine-Westphalia NRW.Europa

Marcus Collier-Wright
Phone: 0208 30004-54
E-mail: Marcus.Collier-Wright@zenit.eu

Sabrina Wodrich
Phone: 0208 30004-44
Email: Sabrina.Wodrich@zenit.eu

Contact to the company:
Lamb Space Tec GmbH
Kunststoffverarbeitung Hoffmann GmbH

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