Galway company, ÉireComposites Teo. today announced that it has been awarded a total of €1.9 million in Research and Development contracts from the European Space Agency, aimed at producing new lightweight composite technologies for future space launcher and satellite structures.
These contracts will create 3 new graduate engineering positions at the company – which is supported by Údarás Na Gaeltachta – and support 7 more engineering and technician positions. The company already employs 55 people in a state of the art facility for lightweight aerospace and renewable energy products in Indreabhán, Co. Galway.
Announcing the contracts today at the company’s Galway headquarters, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keefe, T.D. said; “ÉireComposites Teoranta are to be congratulated on their success in winning these ESA contracts. This company is an excellent example of how small Irish companies, with a rural base, can succeed in highly competitive markets, by employing the right skills and concentrating on highly innovative technology.”
Responding to the Minister’s comments, ÉireComposites Joint Managing Director, Dr. Conchúr Ó Brádaigh said; “Winning ESA contracts is an important factor in developing our company’s technical capabilities and will position the company to grow in both the space and aerospace market. With the support of Enterprise Ireland and Údarás Na Gaeltachta, we are looking forward to developing EireComposites into one of Europe’s leading firms in the commercial space and aerospace markets”
Welcoming the announcement, Pádraig Ó hAoláin CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta, said that it is vital that Gaeltacht-based companies have access to state-of-the-art Research and Development facilities that allow them compete on a global scale. This venture is a good example of enhanced collaboration between development agencies which ensures that client-companies are given the best opportunities available.
ÉireComposites’ technology is in the design and processing of advanced lightweight composite materials that can be applied in a range of applications including aircraft, wind turbines, automotive and spacecraft. The ESA contracts will enable the company to develop these lightweight materials that can withstand the extreme environment of space flight, including extreme temperatures, pressures and turbulence, at the same time reducing the spacecraft weight and the launch costs.