The research project was funded by LSA. ESA took over the project monitoring with a team of experts, while the 3 largest satellite integrators, Airbus, OHB and Thales actively accompanied the project as associated partners with one application each. The development took place in a joint laboratory of the Luxembourg Institute of Science & Technology (LIST).

The close connection between science and industrialisation by engineers has contributed significantly to its success. 16 multidisciplinary engineers were recruited and a new company Gradel Lightweight was founded in March 2022.

The result after 3 1/2 years of development is a unique new and patented manufacturing process that covers the entire digital process chain, starting with the simulation-based calculation methods, the determination of the winding path and the programming of the robots.

Commercialized under the name GRAM (stands for Gradel Robotic Additive Manufacturing) is now the industrialized production of the continuous fiber impregnation and winding machine for complex 3D structures.

High-strength fibers are wrapped around bushings in a form-fitting manner according to nature’s model in accordance with the load path. This is referred to as bionic design. There is no easier way to build with any other process known today.

Gradel offers a sustainable solution to a global problem that affects us all and will hit us much harder in the future.

For more information, please contact Claude Maack via e-mail at or via phone at +352, 661 39 00 44.=