ThermoPlastic composites Application Center (TPAC)

What ThermoPlastic composites Application Center (TPAC) does

ThermoPlastic composites Application Center (TPAC) is an independent, non-profit applied research and innovation center based in Enschede, Netherlands, hosted by Saxion University of Applied Sciences. Founded around 2013, TPAC develops proofs of concept for small and medium enterprises seeking to adopt thermoplastic composite technologies, providing access to specialized expertise and manufacturing facilities that are typically out of reach for SMEs. Its work is organized around three core research areas: processing (cost-effective integration of thermoplastic composites into manufacturing), automation (robotic and integrated manufacturing for quality and productivity), and recycling (circular economy solutions, including validation that aircraft-grade C/PPS composites can be recycled up to five times while retaining mechanical properties for non-structural applications).

TPAC's technology portfolio includes proprietary large-format 3D printing with in-line pultrusion, in-house tape weaving and tape winding machines, and investigations into bio-based lignin and cellulose composites. The center operates a laboratory expanded in 2022-2023 with 290 square meters of additional floor space and a KUKA robotic arm to support industry-sized trials. Notable engagements include 3D-printed fiber-reinforced prostheses with Roessingh Rehabilitation Center, recycled air filter projects with Brink Climate Systems, the 100% Circular Last Mile Electric Vehicle (CircuLEV) with industry partners, and student-designed thermoplastic luggage racks for NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen).

TPAC generates revenue almost entirely through Dutch and European public funding instruments — primarily RAAK-PRO and RAAK-MKB grants from Regieorgaan SIA (part of NWO), Interreg North West Europe, and the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs — combined with project-based collaborations with SMEs and industrial partners. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. Customer concentration is distributed across aviation, automotive, medical, construction, and consumer goods sectors, with a stated primary focus on SMEs. The organization is governed within Saxion's research ecosystem and is not independently owned.

Name

ThermoPlastic composites Application Center (TPAC)

Legal name

ThermoPlastic composites Application Center

Website

https://thermoplasticcomposites.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ThermoPlastic composites Application Center (TPAC) is an independent, non-profit applied research center in Enschede, Netherlands, hosted by Saxion University of Applied Sciences. It develops thermoplastic composite processing, automation, and recycling proofs of concept for SMEs across aviation, automotive, medical, and industrial sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Composite Materials Research

NAICS

Textile Product Mills (314), Artificial and Synthetic Fibers and Filaments Manufacturing (32522)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Plastics Products, Nec (3089)

akta.pro primary industry

Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE/TPU/TPV) Compounds (IMANABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE/TPV) Compounding (IMANAJAC), Production & Manufacturing Operations (TPM, OEE, SMED) (EDABAKAK)

Keywords

• Thermoplastic composites
• Composite materials research
• 3D printing composites
• Composite recycling
• Applied research services

Headquarters

HQ city

Enschede

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Research project funding: TPAC is a non-profit organization that collaborates in research projects funded through subsidies such as RAAK-PRO (Regieorgaan SIA, part of NWO), Interreg programs, and other government funding schemes for applied research and innovation.
2. Education and training services: Provides courses and symposia on thermoplastic composite topics for industry professionals and students. Hosts MBO, HBO, and WO students for internships and graduation projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

TPAC is an independent non-profit research and development center providing SMEs and industrial partners with access to expertise, equipment, and manufacturing facilities for thermoplastic composites innovation. The center organizes its work around three pillars: cost-effective Processing of thermoplastic composites, Automation of manufacturing processes, and Recycling for circular-economy applications, developing proofs of concept for companies that lack in-house capabilities.

Product overview

ThermoPlastic composites Application Center (TPAC) is an independent research and development center focused on thermoplastic composites technology. Rather than a traditional product company, TPAC offers applied research services organized around three core pillars: Processing Research (cost-effective manufacturing processes), Automation Research (automated manufacturing integration), and Recycling Research (circular material solutions). The center provides SMEs access to expertise and manufacturing facilities, and develops proofs of concept for regional and national companies seeking to innovate with thermoplastic composites.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Processing Research Research and development of cost-effective processes for integrating thermoplastic composites into existing and new manufacturing processes, offered to SMEs and industrial partners.
• Automation Research Automation and integration of manufacturing processes to enable further cost-effectiveness, increased quality, and improved productivity for thermoplastic composite production.
• Recycling Research Development of innovative material, processing, and design solutions for the reuse of thermoplastic composites or waste in existing and new products, supporting circular economy objectives.

Quantifiable outcome

• Materials can be recycled up to five times while retaining mechanical properties for non-structural applications
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Saxion University of Applied SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTPAC is hosted by Saxion University of Applied Sciences. The collaboration provides access to student talent for internships and graduation projects, as well as academic resources and infrastructure. TPAC serves as a research group within Saxion's broader research ecosystem.
• TPRC (ThermoPlastic Composites Research Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research partner in thermoplastic composites. Saxion and TPRC received approval from the Ministry of Economic Affairs for a Smart Industry Fieldlab focused on thermoplastic composites.
• CATO CompositescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration in Lighthouse 1 project under Interreg 'Manufacturing Next Materials' focusing on production of thermoplastic composite applications for SMEs. Partner in NXTGEN Hightech consortium.
• University of TwentecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKnowledge institution partner in RAAK-PRO consortium for new generation stiffened thermoplastic composite product development. Collaboration on research and education.
• Delft University of TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKnowledge institution partner in RAAK-PRO consortium. Student team iFall from TU Delft won SAMPE Benelux competition for additive manufacturing organized by TPAC.
• Poly ProductsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSME partner in the four-year RAAK-PRO consortium developing new generation stiffened thermoplastic composite products through large-format 3D printing with fiber reinforcement.
• CEADmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSME partner in RAAK-PRO consortium focused on composite manufacturing solutions and automation technologies.
• CCMmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSME partner in RAAK-PRO consortium working on thermoplastic composite product development.
• Theuws GroepmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSME partner in RAAK-PRO consortium contributing to composite manufacturing research.
• KCCMmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSME partner in RAAK-PRO consortium for thermoplastic composite development.
• Femto EngineeringmajorTechnology or IntegrationSME partner in RAAK-PRO consortium providing engineering expertise for composite applications.
• Roessingh Rehabilitation CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical ecosystem partner collaborating on 3D-printed fiber-reinforced prostheses development, part of Twente medical 3D printing ecosystem.
• Medisch Spectrum TwentemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Twente medical 3D printing ecosystem collaborating with TPAC on preoperative models, cutting guides, and medical devices.
• Ziekenhuisgroep TwentemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner in medical 3D printing ecosystem in Twente region.
• OCONmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrthopedic healthcare partner in medical 3D printing ecosystem in Twente region.
• CIM FieldlabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFieldlab collaboration focused on circular innovation in manufacturing industry, working on recycling projects like air filters with Brink Climate Systems.
• Brink Climate SystemsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner in CIM Fieldlab project on recycling air filters for circular business model development.
• NHL Stenden University of Applied SciencesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner where Ilse ten Bruggencate completed her master's in Polymer Engineering; collaboration on student research projects.
• Toray Advanced CompositesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner providing guest lectures and facility tours for Sustainable Advanced Materials minor students; supplier of thermoplastic composite materials.
• Spiral Recycled Thermoplastic CompositesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner contributing to Sustainable Advanced Materials minor education through guest lectures on recycling and composite processing.
• Falco B.V.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany supplying polycarbonate materials for recycling research projects at TPAC labs, including chemical and mechanical recycling for circular economy.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Others

• Toray Advanced Composites: Global thermoplastic composite material supplier partnered with TPAC for guest lectures and material supply. Adjacent as the upstream materials provider enabling TPAC's downstream process research.

Direct peers

• CATO Composites: Dutch composites R&D organization partnering with TPAC in Interreg Lighthouse 1 and NXTGEN Hightech projects. Directly comparable focus on thermoplastic composite applications for SMEs.
• CEAD: Dutch company developing continuous fiber additive manufacturing systems, including large-format 3D printing referenced in TPAC's RAAK-PRO consortium. Highly comparable technology and customer overlap.
• AZL Aachen (Aachener Zentrum für integrativen Leichtbau): German lightweight construction center at RWTH Aachen focusing on composites manufacturing and automation. Comparable as a cross-border applied-research consortium serving SMEs with composite process development.
• TPRC (ThermoPlastic Composites Research Center): Enschede-based research center jointly operating the Smart Industry Fieldlab with TPAC and Saxion. Directly comparable as a Dutch applied-research organization focused on thermoplastic composites with similar academic-industry partnership model.

Broad incumbents

• Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (IFAM): Large German applied-research institute with broad composites, polymer, and automation research portfolio. Comparable in research-center model but at much larger scale and broader technology scope.
• NIAR (National Institute for Aviation Research): Major US university-based aviation and composites research center. Comparable in applied-research structure, university affiliation, and focus on thermoplastic composites for aerospace applications.

Emerging players

• Spiral Recycled Thermoplastic Composites: Dutch startup commercializing recycled thermoplastic composites, partnered with TPAC on recycling education. Comparable focus on circular composites but positioned downstream as a commercial recycler.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/post
• Facebookfacebook.com/sharer.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thermoplasticcomposites

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 ThermoPlastic composites Application Center (TPAC)