The central project objective is the cross-border cooperation, networking, and joint R&D activities of SMBs and R&D institutions in less developed, non-urban regions (e.g., Miren, Stainz, Leoben, Sloevnj Gradec) with one of the leading European household appliance manufacturers for the development of new polymer-based solutions, which can replace stainless steel or aluminium for sophisticated designs in various branches of industry. Disseminating the accumulated knowledge to other SMBs, students and research institutions is to strengthen the R&D basis in this technologically and economically relevant field.
The joint R&D activities are focused on the promising area of the development and manufacturing of cost-efficient polymer surfaces with the optical and haptic properties of metals. So far, high-quality surfaces of household appliances, lamps, sports equipment, etc. with appealing aesthetic look have been produced using stainless steel and aluminium. Using stainless steel is technically very demanding, expensive and time-consuming to achieve complex geometries.
The project aims to network R&D institutions (MUL, FTPO and PCCL) with partners of industry (Gorenje) and SMBs (Hiebler, Intra-Lighting) and it thereby contributes to the know-how transfer and development of new products, technologies and services. The consortium includes universities and R&D institutions which contribute to the dissemination of knowledge through their students as well as enterprises. The application is an excellent example of cross-border partnerships between R&D institutions in a technologically challenging field, which also helps stimulate further R&D activities, the development of new products and processes, for example, to generate sustainable growth, new jobs and improve the ability to compete at a global level.
Funding information:
Project title: Cost-effective plastics with optical and haptic properties of metals
Lead partner: Gorenje gospodinjski aparati d.o.o.
Further project partners: Fakulteta za technologijo polimerov (FTPO), Richard Hiebler GmbH (Hiebler), Polymer Competence Center Leoben GmbH (PCCL), Intra lighting d.o.o. (Intra), Montanuniversität Leoben (MUL)
Priorities: Strengthen cross-border competition, research and innovation
Project period: 1 May 2018 until 30 April 2021
Go to project homepage: PolyMetal
Contact: DI Renate Reumüller
Webpage: Interreg
