Aimplas Plastic Technology Center

What Aimplas Plastic Technology Center does

AIMPLAS is a non-profit plastics technology center founded in 1990 and headquartered in Paterna (Valencia), Spain, employing over 260 specialized professionals. The organization provides R&D&I services, accredited laboratory testing, pilot-plant process development, regulatory and certification consulting, and professional training to companies throughout the plastics value chain — from raw material manufacturers and converters to brand owners in packaging, automotive, aerospace, construction, agriculture, electronics, cosmetics, and footwear.

The technology center operates more than 50 pilot plants covering injection moulding, compounding, reactive extrusion, composites processing, 3D printing, mechanochemistry, catalysis, coatings, adhesives, and recycling. Its ENAC ISO 17025-accredited laboratories run more than 5,000 tests per year and hold the highest number of plastics test accreditations in Spain, supplemented by certifications from TÜV Austria, DIN Certco, BPI, European Ecolabel, Blue Angel, RecyClass, APR, TCEP PETCORE, and OEM homologations from Volkswagen, Renault, and Daimler. Through its Plastics Academy, AIMPLAS delivers more than 170 training activities annually to over 2,700 professionals, including a Master's Degree in Polymer Materials with UPV.

AIMPLAS generates revenue through professional services (project-based R&D contracts, fee-for-service laboratory testing, training program fees) supplemented by licensing and grant income from EU-funded research programs (Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking, Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking, CDTI). The organization coordinates or participates in EU consortia of 7-34 partners across multiple European countries, with flagship programs including BioSupPack (€7.6M), SOLRESS (€9.1M), IRION, IMPLICIT (with Airbus), SUPERPAN, and BIOVALSA. Go-to-market is direct enterprise engagement supplemented by industry events such as MeetingPack (with AINIA), PLASREC, and HI!-Plastics.

Name

Aimplas Plastic Technology Center

Legal name

AIMPLAS - Plastics Technology Centre

Website

https://aimplas.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

AIMPLAS is a Spanish non-profit plastics technology center providing R&D&I, ENAC-accredited lab testing, pilot-plant prototyping, regulatory consulting, and training to manufacturers across packaging, automotive, aerospace, construction, and recycling, operating 50+ pilot plants and coordinating EU-funded consortia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Plastics R&D and Technical Testing Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690), Engineering Services (541330)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Plastic Caps, Closures & Dispensing Systems Manufacturing (IMANAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

NIAS Screening & Risk Assessment (Non-Intentionally Added Substances) (AFALAIAC)

Keywords

• Plastics research and development
• Polymer testing laboratories
• Pilot plant prototyping
• Technical regulatory consulting
• Recycling process development

Headquarters

HQ city

Paterna

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. R&D&I Project Services: AIMPLAS generates revenue through providing research, development, and innovation services to companies across the plastics value chain, including technical consulting, testing, and project management.
2. Laboratory Testing Services: Accredited laboratory testing services for plastics, additives, composites, recyclability, biodegradability, and other material characterization services.
3. Training Programs: Plastics Academy offers over 170 training activities annually, including courses, workshops, seminars, and master's degrees for industry professionals.
4. EU and Public Research Funding: Participation in EU-funded research projects including Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking, and CDTI programs providing project funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

AIMPLAS provides applied plastics research and innovation, accredited laboratory testing, pilot-scale processing, and technical assistance to companies across the plastics value chain. Its commercial portfolio also includes product design and sustainability services, failure analysis, regulatory and certification consulting, pilot-plant prototyping, and professional training.

Product overview

Aimplas is a Plastics Technology Centre offering a comprehensive portfolio of R&D&I services, laboratory testing, technical consulting, and training for the plastics industry. The core offering spans research and development across multiple technology areas (biotechnology, injection moulding, 3D printing, composites, recycling, etc.), with supporting services including Life Cycle Assessment, Digital Product Passport implementation, Ecodesign, and Failure/Defects Analysis. The organization operates over 50 pilot plants and maintains accredited laboratories (ENAC ISO 17025) for characterization, durability testing, and packaging verification. Training is delivered through the Plastics Academy platform offering over 170 activities annually. The technology centre also provides regulatory compliance advisory services covering EU packaging regulations, REACH/CLP, and Extended Producer Responsibility requirements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• R&D&I Project Services Applied research, development, innovation, project management, and technical consulting for companies across the plastics value chain.
• Plastics Academy Professional training platform for plastics-industry practitioners, offering online and face-to-face courses, workshops, seminars, and university-linked degrees.
• Life Cycle Assessment Environmental assessment that analyzes and quantifies a product's environmental aspects and potential impacts from raw-material acquisition through production, distribution, use, and end-of-life recovery or disposal.
• Digital Product Passport Digital lifecycle-information service using blockchain-based records for product characteristics, composition, origin, manufacturing processes, and sustainability certifications.
• Ecodesign Product-design service that integrates environmental criteria across the lifecycle, with demonstrated potential to reduce environmental impact by up to 80%.
• Failure or Defects Analysis Technical troubleshooting service that identifies the causes of failure in plastic products, including pipes, tanks, waterproofing sheets, injection and blow-molded parts, films, and packaging.
• Laboratory Services Accredited testing services for material characterization, durability, resistance, safety, health, packaging performance, biodegradability, and compostability, with more than 5,000 tests conducted annually under ENAC ISO 17025 accreditation.
• Plastic Processing Pilot Plants Pilot-scale research and processing services covering plastic material formulation, process improvement, injection moulding, compounding, resin transfer, and multicomponent injection.
• Legislation and Certification Consulting Technical-legal and certification advisory service supporting compliance with REACH, CLP, PPWR, food-contact requirements, plastic tax, and extended producer responsibility.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 5,000 tests per year conducted in ENAC-accredited laboratories
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments11 records

Ideal customer profiles13 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

38 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Birka CompositescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 August 2026SUPERPAN project partnership: AIMPLAS and Ideko participating with Birka Composites to develop multidirectionally reinforced composite panels with thermoplastic matrices for transport structures, utilizing dual pullbraiding process and UV-assisted curing.
• IdekocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 August 2026SUPERPAN project partnership with Birka Composites and AIMPLAS for developing ultralight multidirectionally reinforced composite panels for structural transport components using thermoplastic matrices.
• SofiteccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 August 2026Re-Cell project: Sofitec coordinating development of structural batteries and supercapacitors from recycled carbon fiber for aviation, with AIMPLAS and I2CON contributing materials expertise.
• I2CONcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 August 2026Re-Cell project partnership with Sofitec and AIMPLAS for developing structural batteries from recycled carbon fiber for aircraft components.
• URDECONcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 July 2026COLD SURFACE project coordinated by URDECON with AIMPLAS and Eduardo Torroja Institute developing prefabricated building-envelope systems using photoluminescent materials to reduce building temperatures by up to 2°C.
• Eduardo Torroja Institute (IETCC-CSIC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 July 2026COLD SURFACE project partnership with URDECON and AIMPLAS for developing innovative building envelope systems with photoluminescent materials.
• AirbuscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2026IMPLICIT project: Airbus participating as strategic partner providing real aerospace manufacturing waste for the multimodal recycling strategies development for single-use auxiliary materials from composite manufacturing.
• SoltecocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2026IMPLICIT consortium partner with AIMPLAS, Eurecat, Tecnalia, Leartiker, Birziplastik, Faperin, and Industrias Alegre for developing recycling strategies for composite materials manufacturing waste.
• EurecatcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2026IMPLICIT project consortium partner technology center specialized in technological applied research.
• TecnaliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2026IMPLICIT project consortium partner - Basque research and development technological center.
• LeartikercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2026IMPLICIT project consortium partner technology center specializing in polymer technology.
• AINIAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 April 2026Joint organization of MeetingPack 2026 conference on barrier materials and sustainable packaging with nearly €14 million in public funding directed to both organizations in 2025 for packaging sector research.
• 18 consortium partners (BioSupPack)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 April 2026BioSupPack project consortium of 18 industry partners coordinated by AIMPLAS, successfully demonstrating technologies to convert brewery waste into sustainable bioplastics (PHA and PHB) with €7.6 million EU funding.
• Tyris AIcoreTechnology or Integration · 4 February 2026POLY-ML project: Tyris AI contributing artificial intelligence expertise to develop machine learning models for predicting plastic material properties based on composition and processing conditions.
• FAPERINcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2026POLY-ML project partner supplying automotive sector data to train predictive models for plastic material properties.
• 10 partners from 7 European countries (IRION)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 January 2026IRION project consortium coordinated by AIMPLAS with ten partners from seven European countries developing sustainable recycling pathways for iridium and fluorinated ionomers in green hydrogen electrolyzers.
• FoodUPVcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 January 2026BIOVALSA project partnership with Bioban, Viromii, Prime Biopolymers, and AIMPLAS developing processes to convert rice straw and citrus pruning into sustainable bioplastics.
• BiobancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 January 2026BIOVALSA project consortium partner for developing cost-effective bioplastic manufacturing from agricultural waste.
• ViromiicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 January 2026BIOVALSA project consortium partner developing bioplastics from agricultural waste including rice straw and citrus pruning residues.
• Prime BiopolymerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 January 2026BIOVALSA project consortium partner working with AIMPLAS and others on sustainable bioplastic production from agricultural waste.
• Institute of Marine Sciences (CSIC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026OCEANZYME project consortium developing enzymatic recycling technologies for marine plastic waste collected through fishing campaigns, with CSIC institutes providing marine science expertise.
• Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (CSIC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026OCEANZYME project partnership with Institute of Marine Sciences and AIMPLAS for enzymatic recycling of ocean plastic waste.
• InescopcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 December 2025PLASRECO project launching PFAS-free silicon-based functional coatings using atmospheric plasma technology with validation by companies including Tempe (Inditex), Pikolinos, Acatex, Pies Cuadrados Leather, and Lisart.
• Tempe (Inditex group)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 12 December 2025PLASRECO project validation partner for PFAS-free coatings for textile applications.
• PikolinosminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 12 December 2025PLASRECO project validation partner for PFAS-free coatings in leather sector.
• 17 European partners (SOLRESS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 September 2025SOLRESS project consortium with 17 European entities including StoraEnso, Kaffe Bueno, and Ghent University developing bio-based solvents from second-generation biomass waste including coffee grounds.
• StoraEnsocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 September 2025SOLRESS project partner providing expertise in forest-based biomaterials for developing sustainable bio-based solvents.
• Ghent UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 September 2025SOLRESS project academic partner contributing research expertise in bio-based solvents and sustainable chemistry.
• Omar CoatingsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 30 July 2025REFUGI project partner developing phosphorus-based flame retardants using mechanochemical processes for wood coatings.
• DecomaderminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 30 July 2025REFUGI project partner collaborating on flame-retardant coating formulations for construction sector.
• Ziur CompositesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 30 July 2025NEOCOMP project partner developing high-performance flame-retardant composites using Dry Fiber Placement and additive manufacturing technologies.
• IT3DminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 30 July 2025NEOCOMP project partner collaborating on advanced manufacturing technologies for flame-retardant composite materials.
• PikolinoscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2024ECOFAP project partnership with AIMPLAS, Evatalking, and Footwear Technology Centre of La Rioja (CTCR) developing 3D printing material from recycled tanned leather waste for shoe soles.
• EvatalkingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2024ECOFAP project consortium partner for developing 3D printing materials from leather waste for footwear applications.
• CTCR (Footwear Technology Centre of La Rioja)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2024ECOFAP project partnership with AIMPLAS, Pikolinos, and Evatalking for developing sustainable footwear materials through 3D printing technology.
• IPC (Industrial Technical Centre for Plastics and Composites)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 September 2022BUDDIE-PACK project coordinated by IPC with 19 partners from 6 countries developing reusable plastic packaging solutions through multidisciplinary approach combining social, technological and economic innovations.
• 26 organizations from 9 countries (PRESERVE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 September 2022PRESERVE project consortium coordinated by IRIS working to improve bioplastics performance for food and beverage packaging with 26 partners including AIMPLAS, Fraunhofer, and industry leaders.
• 34 partners from 7 countries (EcoeFISHent)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021EcoeFISHent project with 34 partners from 7 countries coordinated by FILSE spa, developing food and cosmetic packaging from ocean by-products including fish gelatine and recycled fishing nets.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Leartiker: Spanish technology centre specialising in polymer technology and IMPLICIT project partner. Direct peer in plastics processing, testing, and applied R&D for industrial customers.
• Eurecat: Catalan technology centre and IMPLICIT project partner. Comparable operating model as a multi-sector applied-research centre providing testing, pilot validation, and EU-funded R&D to industrial clients.
• AINIA: Spanish food and packaging technology centre and explicit co-organiser of MeetingPack alongside AIMPLAS. Comparable as a non-profit applied-research centre serving similar food/packaging customers with accredited testing.
• ITENE (Technological Institute for Packaging, Transport and Logistics): Spanish technology centre focused on packaging R&D, testing, and sustainability. Direct peer because it operates the same R&D-plus-accredited-lab model in overlapping packaging, recycling, and circular-economy domains.
• Tecnalia: Basque applied-research technology centre and IMPLICIT consortium partner with AIMPLAS. Comparable as a Spanish/European non-profit R&D centre operating pilot facilities and accredited testing across materials, energy, and industry.
• IPC (Industrial Technical Centre for Plastics and Composites): French plastics and composites technology centre coordinating the BUDDIE-PACK project alongside AIMPLAS. Direct peer providing R&D and technical services to the European plastics industry.
• CTCR (Footwear Technology Centre of La Rioja): Spanish footwear-focused technology centre and ECOFAP consortium partner with AIMPLAS. Direct peer running an applied R&D, testing, and training model for a vertical industry.

Broad incumbents

• TNO: Dutch applied-research organisation active in plastics recycling, sustainable materials, and circular economy. Broad incumbent competing for EU project funding and offering overlapping pilot/testing capability.
• Fraunhofer Institute (Plastics/ICT divisions): Germany's largest applied-research organisation with multiple institutes working on polymers, composites, and circular economy. Broader incumbent competing for the same EU framework programme funding and serving overlapping industrial customers.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Nordic applied-research centre with biomaterials, plastics, and circular-economy programmes. Broad incumbent comparable in operating model, scale, and EU project competition.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AIMPLAS
• YouTubeyoutube.com/AIMPLAS
• Facebookfacebook.com/aimplas
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aimplas
• Instagraminstagram.com/aimplas_research

Compliance15 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aimplas Plastic Technology Center