New high-performance functionalised materials
OPTIMISATION AND AUTOMATION OF HONEYTEX TECHNOLOGY AND THE EXPLORATION OF ITS APPLICATIONS IN STRATEGIC SECTORS
HONEYTEX 2025
Motivation
Aitex has developed and patented a new technique for the manufacture of honeycombs from hybrid non-woven fabrics, a combination of thermoplastic fibres and non-thermofusible fibres (natural, synthetic or mineral). This development is currently in the process of setting up a spin-off, requiring certain improvements in the technology and the development of some modules of the current pilot line to ensure the future scalability of the technology.
Objectives
Optimisation and automation of the honeycomb assembly process to speed up development times on a semi-industrial scale. The identification of new applications in markets complementary to the automotive sector, which has been the focus of work in previous years in this line of research.
Value and competitive advantage
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Increase industrial competitiveness through faster, automated, and scalable honeycomb manufacturing processes.
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It allows for cores with an optimal balance between cost, mechanical performance, and sustainability.
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Reduces the reliance on expensive commercial honeycombs for demanding structural applications.
Obtained results
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Optimization and automation of the honeycomb core manufacturing process, improving reproducibility and production efficiency.
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Development of automated cutting and assembly equipment that significantly reduces processing times.
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Manufacturing large-format honeycomb cores from post-industrial recycled polyester nonwovens.
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Successful integration of sustainable honeycomb cores into sandwich panels with good thermal stability and adhesion.
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Development and validation of honeycomb cores based on natural fibers combined with thermoplastic matrices.
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Exploring high-performance honeycombs from carbon fiber tapes and various thermoplastic matrices.
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Physico-mechanical characterization of cores and sandwich panels to evaluate their applicability in industrial sectors.
Grant number: PENDING
Programme: Plan of non-economic activities 2025
Period of execution: January 2025 – December 2025
Status: Finished
More information: PLAN OF ACTION
Entity: IVACE
Project supported by the Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism of the Generalitat Valenciana, through IVACE.
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R&D AREAS
New high-performance functionalised materials
Circular economy and sustainability
Advanced manufacturing, smart textiles and digitalisation
High value-added solutions for strategic markets
RELATED PROJECTS
NEWS
AITEX is present at the Babykid FIMI fair at Feria Valencia from January 26 to 28, presenting tests and certifications for children’s products.
AITEX has attended the Cosmetorium fair in Barcelona once again on October to present its new products for the cosmetic sector.
AITEX has hosted the LIFE POLITEX workshop entitled “Closing the textile polyester cycle: challenges and opportunities”, based on promoting sustainable solutions for the management and recycling of textile materials.