Portugal´s Astral project invests in the development of Stealth Technology

Portugal´s Astral project invests in the development of Stealth Technology - Portugal Business News

Defence News Europe - Portugal´s Astral project obtains investment for the development of Stealth Technology with an investment of 1.86 million euros funded by Portugal 2030. The global market for materials capable of absorbing electromagnetic radiation is expected to grow to USD 1.1 billion by 2034. Here is what is Portugal´s Astral project and how it will impact Europe´s Defence Sector:

What is Portugal´s Astral project?

Portugal´s Astral project aims at developing a material for stealth technology that currently exists mainly in the United States and whose composition is protected as a trade secret.

The ASTRAL project works on the development of 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, with broadband absorption between 2 and 110 GHz — a solution that does not currently exist in Europe in this format.

Portugal´s ASTRAL project, that works on the development of Electromagnetic Absorption Technology with an investment of 1.86 million euros funded by Portugal 2030, will run from June 2026 to May 2029 and the consortium expects to file at least one international patent.

The global market for materials capable of absorbing electromagnetic radiation is valued at USD 828 million in 2025 and is expected to grow to USD 1.1 billion by 2034. The associated anechoic chamber is valued at USD 1.6 billion and is expected to grow to USD 2.3 billion by 2030.

How will Portugal´s Astral project impact Europe´s Defence sector?

Portugal´s Astral project will have a significant impact on Europe´s Defence sector 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, the material developed by Portugal´s Astral project will adapt to any aircraft geometry without adding weight or compromising performance.

The Portuguese Air Force will participate in the final trials of Portugal´s Astral project, with a focus on applications in stealth-profile unmanned aerial vehicles.

¨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 Figueiredo, Co-CEO of Graphenest, the project´s co-founder.

Portugal´s Astral 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.

Who are the founders of Portugal´s Astral project?

The founders of Portugal´s Astral project are part of a consortium of four Portuguese entities, namely Controlar that leads the project, Graphenest, PIEP, and the University of Aveiro:

1 - Controlar

Controlar, the project’s lead promoter, is headquartered 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.

2 - Graphenest

Graphenest, that is located in the district of Aveiro, is the only Portuguese company with initial industrial graphene production capacity. Graphenest was founded in 2015 and holds patents in the United States and Canada. The company develops advanced electromagnetic shielding solutions for the electric mobility, electronics and Defence sectors, with partnerships involving companies such as Mitsubishi and TDK Electronics.

3 - PIEP

PIEP - Innovation in Polymer Engineering, that is located in Guimarães in northern Portugal, contributes industrial expertise in the development and production of the stealth material being developed. PIEP is the University of Minho Technological Interface Center for the plastics sector and its related sectors, including aeronautics, space, and Defence. Founded in 2000, PIEP is focused on applied and structured research as well as the development of innovative solutions in various fields of polymer engineering.

4 - The University of Aveiro

The University of Aveiro brings advanced research in magnetic materials through three internationally recognised laboratories of excellence.