ORGANIC MATERIALS USED IN LAUNCHERS APPLICATIONS - EXPRO+

Objective:To establish a de-risking strategy for the non-European dependency for organic materials such as silicones,elastomers, glues, resins for thermal protections for launchers applications.Description:In 2025, European chemistry faces critical challenges due to structural crises, industrial site closures, andintense international competition. Many groups in Europe and outside of Europe are reorganizing theirproduction, closing plants, or relocating to more competitive regions like Asia. Between 2019 and 2023,Europe's chemical production fell by 12%, with closure of over 20 industrial sites. In addition, groups must faceevolutions of regulations (e.g. REACH), monitoring and anticipating future forbidden substances (Substancesof Very High Concern - SVHC) and focus newinvestments on green chemistry and decarbonization viabiosourced molecules, recycling, and carbon capture. For example, PFAS regulation will be effective at leastby end of 2028, and a huge number of products will be forbidden, and aeronautic and aerospace sectors willbe severely impacted. For silicones some non-European suppliers informed that a supply risk exists for someolder references.The qualification of these applications is long and complex. Silicones are used in componentsin the manufacture of thermal protection to contribute for maintaining the shape and the flexibility of the thermalprotection. They also allow to stick and join components, respecting the thermal sealing.Other materials / use cases in the scope of this activity include:- Elastomers: Used in solidengines as a gas protection Procured outside Europe- Glues and Thread lock: Many parts of launcher, from structural materials to-Thread locks, need specific glues.- Resins: Solid Rocket Motor parts are manufactured using resin (bearing reinforcement material or the RTMinjection moulding process).- Aluminium adhesives: Used to maintain an electrically grounded connection of the thermal protections inESR (Thermal Protection, Thermal Cap Capture System, Mechanical Anti-Pitching System and RodThermal Protection).Thisactivity aims at implementing and supporting when required a multi-sourcing strategy withphysicochemical characterizations of proposedalternatives.This activity encompasses the following tasks:- Assessment of requirements available from European launcher manufacturers,- Analysis of supply resilience and competitiveness for alternative products to answer Launchers needs inEurope (and other markers), including if required dual or triple source to limit impacts of specific policy ofeach other,- Physical and chemical characterisation of substitute materials (if no data available) to confirm suitabilitywith launcher requirements.- Make available and regularly update a catalogue of characterised alternative chemicals for Europeanmanufacturers.Deliverables: Other, Report