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Silicon-Carbide-Fiber Pilot-production in Europe

Project description

First European pilot plant for silicon carbide production

Air travel will nearly double within the next 20 years. This dramatic increase in flight would also cause a surge in greenhouse gas emissions. Tough, lightweight silicon carbide (SiC) fibres are indispensable for components like aircraft engine parts requiring high heat resistance. It will significantly improve aircraft fuel efficiency. To-date, there are only two SiC fibre producers in Japan, and a SiC fibre plant under construction in the US. European turbine producers are left with a risky supply chain. With its patented SiC fibre technology, the EU-funded SPE project will enable BJS Ceramics to change the status quo by scaling it up for regular production.

Objective

BJS Ceramics GmbH (BJS), Gersthofen, Germany, is Europe’s only Silicon Carbide (SiC) Fiber developer and producer in
spe. SiC fibers are the key raw material for SiC Fiber reinforced Silicon Carbide (SiC/SiC) composites that are technically
indispensable in turbines for aircraft and energy generation to reach a step-change in energy-efficiency due to their
outstanding heat resistance (260°C higher than that of the nickel-based superalloys) and light weight. Only turbines with SiC/
SiC components meet the CO2-, NOx- and noise emission reduction targets established by the Advisory Council for Aviation
Research in Europe (ACARE), respectively those established by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) in the United States.
Aviation contributes significantly to the global emissions of CO2 and NOx thereby aggravating the climate change. If the
aviation sector was a country, it would rank 7th in the global ranking! Aviation is growing above average, expected to double
by 2035. That is why emissions from aviation need a significant reduction.
SiC Fibers respectively SiC/SiC composites are key to achieve these emission reductions, but the global supply chain for
SiC fibers is fragile due to SiC fibers, their raw materials and SiC/SiC composites being dual use, and subject to export
control. To-date, there are only 2 SiC fiber producers in Japan, 1 SiC fiber plant is under construction in the US in close
cooperation with the US Air Force – leaving European turbine producers with a risky or no supply chain. In order for Europe
to be independent in SiC Fibers and SiC/SiC composites, it is mandatory to build up a European SiC fiber production. BJS
with its patented SiC fiber technology will reach TRL4/5 by end 2018. In 2019, the first European SiC fiber line in Bayreuth
will start production. BJS will use this line to scale up its technology to commercial scale. For this scale up, BJS applies for
EU funding under the Horizons 2020 / SME Instruments framework.

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

SME-2 - SME instrument phase 2

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020

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Coordinator

BJS CERAMICS GMBH
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 2 484 163,00
Address
SIEMENSSTRASSE 6A
86368 GERSTHOFEN
Germany

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Bayern Schwaben Augsburg, Landkreis
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 4 208 750,00

Participants (1)

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