Materials and Processes Technology Board (MPTB)

Introduction to MPTB main tasks

The Materials and Processes Technology Board of the European Space Components Coordination (ESCC MPTB) is a partnership between the European Space Agency (ESA), national space agencies, and space industry; with industry represented by Eurospace, chaired at present by ESA. Current participants from European space industrial community are Eurospace members: Airbus Defence & Space, ArianeGroup, Avio, MT Aerospace, OHB Space systems, Beyond Gravity, TESAT, Thales Alenia Space, SENER; TNO Netherlands participate as an independent research organisation; MAP Space Coatings and Leonardo Company are participating as permanent industrial observers.

Participating national space agencies are: Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI), Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES), Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) as nominal members. The European Defence Agency (EDA) is participating as an observer.

The MPTB is supported by REACHLaw, a consultancy on REACH and related regulations addressing chemicals and acting as a coordinator of multiple task forces and working groups under the MPTB.

History

Due to the increasing number of obsolescence issues triggered by environmental regulatory pressure in Europe, a dedicated Materials and Processes Working Group was established in frame of the Component Technology Board (CTB) to anticipate and mitigate risks associated with new regulations. Since 2014 the Materials & Processes WG of the CTB was converted to an independent board known as the MPTB, with defined objectives and tasks.

Objectives of MPTB

The overall goal is to contribute to the cost reduction of space programmes by consolidating efforts, coordinated planning, and risk reduction. The MPTB formulates recommendations and strategic work plans in the field of Materials and Processes used in European space programmes. Environmental regulations, such as ROHS and REACH, are representing enormous challenges impacting materials availability; but there are also other threats to the space sector supply chain which the MPTB monitors and reports on. The aims of the MPTB are the following:

• Broadening the exchange of information on Materials and Processes at European level
• Introducing and maintaining awareness of the legislative processes (EU REACH, UK REACH, etc.) and of its consequences to coordinate preventive and corrective actions covering all space applications; also contributing to substance use mapping and impact assessments associated with substance-targeted regulations
• Contributing to roadmaps and work plans for R&D activities aiming to secure the use of existing or new materials and processes in future space programmes
• Monitoring the stability of supply chains and mitigating obsolescence risks
• Reducing dependence on non-European supplies and promote the use of European technologies, materials and processes
• Promoting synergy with other research or industrial groups

The purpose of these pages is to share relevant information, important messages and technical memos with entities outside the MPTB community.

LINKS

• Membership and Points of Contact
• REACH Background
• Task Forces and Splinter Groups
• Memos Guildlines and Publications
• List of MPTB Contributions
• Important References and Links

FEEDBACK

For questions and more information please contact: reach.officer@esa.int