Arceon is scaling its carbon-ceramic composite manufacturing capabilities for the European solid rocket motor supply chain, as the Dutch materials developer participates in the ROCMAN programme associated with Norwegian aerospace and defence company Nammo. The initiative is intended to expand solid rocket motor production capacity and improve the availability of critical propulsion components for European defence applications.
Based in Delft, the Netherlands, Arceon develops Carbeon, a carbon fibre-reinforced silicon carbide composite designed for components exposed to extreme temperatures and mechanical loads. The material combines carbon-based reinforcement with a ceramic matrix to provide thermal stability, damage tolerance and reduced weight compared with conventional high-temperature metallic materials.
Carbeon is intended for demanding applications such as solid rocket motor nozzles, nozzle extensions, heat shields and other high-temperature propulsion structures. Arceon reports that its materials can operate above 1,500°C in suitable applications. Their low density and resistance to thermal damage are relevant to propulsion systems, where component mass and exposure to hot combustion gases can affect overall system performance.
The company uses a liquid silicon infiltration (LSI) process to manufacture its carbon-ceramic materials. Arceon says its manufacturing approach reduces the number of processing cycles compared with conventional production routes, helping shorten lead times and support production scaling. The process is designed to produce components close to their final geometry, potentially reducing machining requirements for complex structures.
ROCMAN brings together six European industrial partners to support the expansion of solid rocket motor manufacturing at Nammo’s Raufoss site in Norway. In October 2026, the European Union announced funding for the programme under the European Defence Industry Programme, alongside matching support from the Norwegian government. The expansion includes a fourth production line at Raufoss, with the aim of increasing output and improving supply-chain resilience.
Arceon’s specific component allocation and production volumes within ROCMAN have not been publicly detailed. Its participation nevertheless places its carbon-ceramic material technology within a wider industrial programme focused on scaling the manufacture of solid rocket motors and their associated components.
The programme marks a step in the transition of advanced carbon-ceramic composites from specialist development toward larger-scale industrial supply. For Arceon, the focus will be on manufacturing readiness and repeatable component production to meet the demanding thermal and structural requirements of aerospace and defence propulsion systems.
Source: Arceon | LinkedIn
