Vector Foiltec: From ETFE Pioneer to Lightspan
What is Vector Foiltec? Vector Foiltec was a German company and early pioneer in architectural ETFE systems, known for developing lightweight, transparent building envelopes for roofs and façades. Today, the former Vector Foiltec business continues under Lightspan, combining the established ETFE expertise, project experience and technology of the former team with a new company structure.
What was Vector Foiltec and what happened to the company?
Vector Foiltec was established in Bremen and became closely associated with the development and application of ETFE foil systems in architecture. Its work helped establish pneumatic ETFE cushion systems as an alternative to conventional glass and other building-envelope materials.
In 2025, following the acquisition of the assets of Vector Foiltec GmbH by BEMO USA and a management buyout, the business continued under the name Lightspan. The transition retained key engineering knowledge, production capabilities and project experience.
Vector Foiltec, Texlon® and ETFE building systems
The technology associated with Vector Foiltec is based on ETFE foil, aluminium profiles and supporting structures. Multiple ETFE layers can be welded into cushions and stabilised with low-pressure air. These systems are used for roofs, façades, atriums, stadiums, transport buildings and other large-span structures.
The product trademark Texlon® remains part of Lightspan’s ETFE system offering. The systems are designed to provide daylight transmission while keeping the building envelope lightweight.
What projects are associated with Vector Foiltec?
The former Vector Foiltec team contributed to a wide range of international ETFE projects. Examples include The Shed in New York, Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis and the Eden Project in Cornwall. Lightspan continues to build on this project experience today.
How does Vector Foiltec relate to Lightspan today?
Vector Foiltec and Lightspan are directly connected through the company’s people, engineering knowledge, technology and project history. Lightspan is not a separate ETFE concept starting from zero; it continues the work of the former Vector Foiltec business under a new name and corporate structure.
Vector Foiltec expertise carried forward by Lightspan
Lightspan continues to work across the full ETFE project process, including concept development, design, engineering, fabrication and installation. Its projects cover ETFE roofs, façades and other transparent building-envelope applications.
Where can I find Vector Foiltec projects and ETFE information?
The former Vector Foiltec project portfolio can now be explored through Lightspan’s ETFE projects. Further information about the company’s history and current structure is available on the Lightspan About Us page.
What is the Vector Foiltec legacy today?
The main legacy of Vector Foiltec is the engineering knowledge and practical experience behind decades of ETFE building-envelope projects. Today, that knowledge continues within Lightspan, where the former team’s experience is applied to new ETFE roofs, façades and architectural structures worldwide.
Vector Foiltec FAQ
Is Vector Foiltec still a company?
Vector Foiltec GmbH is no longer operating in its former structure. Following the 2025 transition, the business continued under Lightspan.
Is Lightspan the same as Vector Foiltec?
Lightspan is the successor to the former Vector Foiltec business. The transition carried forward key people, technical knowledge, production capabilities and project experience.
What did Vector Foiltec invent?
Vector Foiltec played a pioneering role in the development and architectural application of ETFE foil building-envelope systems, particularly pneumatic ETFE cushion systems.
What is Texlon®?
Texlon® is the registered trademark used for the ETFE building systems associated with the former Vector Foiltec business and now manufactured and delivered by Lightspan.
Vector Foiltec, VectorFoiltec and Vector-Foiltec: What are people looking for?
People searching for Vector Foiltec, VectorFoiltec, Vector-Foiltec, Foiltec Vector or Vector Foiltec ETFE are generally looking for information about the former ETFE specialist, its projects, technology and the company that continues its work today. These different spellings can appear in searches, project references, company records and older documents, but they refer to the same company history.
Is vector-foiltec.de still the Vector Foiltec website?
The former vector-foiltec.de domain may still appear in search results, directories, archived documents or older project references. Users searching for vector-foiltec.de are typically looking for the former Vector Foiltec company, its ETFE systems, projects or technical information. Today, the relevant company information and current ETFE activities are provided by Lightspan.
What is vector-foiltec.com and where is the old website?
The domain vector-foiltec.com was associated with the former Vector Foiltec business and remains a reference point for people researching its history, ETFE projects and building-envelope technology. If you are looking for the company behind the former Vector Foiltec website, its ETFE expertise and current activities, Lightspan continues this work following the 2025 transition.
Vector Foiltec or Foiltec Vector – what is the connection?
Searches such as Foiltec Vector, Vector Foiltec ETFE, Vector Foiltec Texlon, and Vector Foiltec projects often refer to the same body of engineering knowledge and project history. Vector Foiltec was closely associated with the development and application of ETFE foil cushion systems for roofs, façades and large-span architecture. Lightspan now continues this technical expertise under the Texlon® brand.
Why do people still search for Vector Foiltec?
Architects, engineers, contractors and building owners may encounter the Vector Foiltec name in older drawings, specifications, project documentation, technical publications and completed buildings. Searching for Vector Foiltec is therefore often a way of finding information about an existing ETFE system or a historic project rather than looking for a company that still operates under its former name.
What does Vector Foiltec mean for existing ETFE projects?
For existing buildings, the Vector Foiltec name can remain relevant long after project completion. Information about the original ETFE design, cushion systems, engineering and project history may still use the Vector Foiltec name. Lightspan continues to work with this accumulated technical knowledge and project experience, providing continuity for the ETFE technology and expertise associated with the former business.
