- Project led by Controlar and Graphenest receives €1.86 million investment under Portugal 2030
- Technology will have a direct impact on the automotive, aerospace, defence and telecommunications sectors
- Portuguese Air Force confirmed as partner for final trials
A consortium of four Portuguese entities has launched ASTRAL, a project aimed at developing a material that currently exists only in the United States and whose composition is protected as an industrial secret. The project is led by Controlar and Graphenest, Portugal’s only graphene producer, and also involves PIEP — the Innovation Centre for Polymer Engineering — and the University of Aveiro.
With a €1.86 million investment funded by Portugal 2030, ASTRAL will run from January 2026 to December 2028. The project is aligned with Europe’s strategy for technological autonomy at a time when the continent is seeking to reduce its dependence on external suppliers in critical sectors such as defence, autonomous mobility and telecommunications.
ASTRAL aims to develop an ultra-thin, flexible, multilayer material based on graphene and magnetic particles, capable of absorbing electromagnetic radiation across the full range of frequencies used by modern industry — from automotive radars to 5G communications and military systems.
In practice, the material is designed to replace the bulky pyramidal foams currently used to line anechoic chambers with a thinner solution that can adapt to any surface. The global market for these materials was valued at $828 million in 2025 and is expected to grow to $1.1 billion by 2034. The anechoic chamber market is projected to increase from its current value of $1.6 billion to $2.3 billion by 2030.
The material developed under this project is expected to have an impact across three strategic sectors:
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In the automotive industry, it addresses the growing need to test and calibrate ADAS radars — autonomous driving systems operating at 77 GHz — which are installed in millions of vehicles manufactured by direct clients of the consortium, including Bosch, Continental and BorgWarner.
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In telecommunications and electronics, the material offers a lightweight and adaptable electromagnetic shielding solution, which is essential for the development of 5G infrastructure and next-generation devices.
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In defence and aerospace, its impact is particularly significant, as the technology has the potential to make drones and aircraft less detectable by radar — a capability that is among the most valuable strategic assets in military contexts. Unlike traditional stealth coatings, which are heavy and rigid, this material will be able to adapt to any aircraft geometry without adding weight or compromising performance. In this context, the Portuguese Air Force intends to participate in the project’s final trials, with a focus on applications in stealth-profile unmanned aerial vehicles.
In terms of protecting the project’s results, the consortium expects to file at least one international patent. The project is also aligned with European investment priorities in advanced materials for security and defence, paving the way for future strategic partnerships at European level.
”ASTRAL represents a decisive step for Europe in achieving technological autonomy in an area that has so far been dominated by the United States. Portugal now has the right expertise and partners to develop this technology from the ground up, and Graphenest, with its industrial graphene production capacity, is uniquely positioned to turn this material into an industrial reality with global impact.
Bruno FigueiredoCo-CEO of Graphenest
”It is an honour to lead a project of this strategic importance. Controlar brings to ASTRAL three decades of experience in electronic test systems and deep knowledge of the requirements of the automotive and defence industries. Our goal is to place that expertise at the service of developing a truly innovative solution — one that strengthens European technological sovereignty and opens new markets for Portuguese companies.
João QueirósChief R&D+i Officer R&D + Innovation at Controlar
About the promotors
Controlar, the project’s lead promoter, is based in Alfena, near Porto, and has more than 30 years of experience in the development of electronic test systems, robotics and automation for the automotive industry. The company has an international presence in six countries and works with clients such as Bosch, Visteon, Aptiv and Continental.
Graphenest, which is also leading the project, is the only Portuguese company with initial industrial graphene production capacity. Founded in 2015 and with patents granted in the United States and Canada, Graphenest develops advanced electromagnetic shielding solutions for the electric mobility, electronics and defence sectors, with partnerships involving companies such as Mitsubishi and TDK Electronics.
The consortium also includes two partners from Portugal’s scientific and technological system. PIEP contributes industrial expertise in the development and production of the material sheets, while the University of Aveiro brings advanced research in magnetic materials through three internationally recognised laboratories of excellence.
