The activities performed within the ECO-INK project allowed Metco to reach all the objectives planned.
The project was monitored and managed trough periodic activities reporting on the project status, use resources and activities planning. During all the project implementation the correct following of the Project Management Plan allowed us to check progress, monitoring all activities and implement mitigation actions when necessary.
3 types of printing heads were tested and evaluated following an internal standard methodology, reaching to identify the best of them and use it in the demo activities.
In relation on new developments on Yellow and CYAN ECO-INK formulation, METCO developed the optimal waveform. Formulation were studied more deeply in order to satisfy the selected print heads parameters.
The best aqueous post-treatments were developed.
The ECO-INK inks, the post-treatments, the best printing heads were tested with a semi-industrial digital printer to print gres porcelain tiles.
The project concluded with the identification of the best process parameters and the manufacturing of gres porcelain tiles.
Considering the high potential impact of the ECO-INK Water Based inks in the tile market, the project was strongly focus on the dissemination & communication phase, providing constant and detailed information on the activities and on the results achieved, through national and trans-national initiatives. COVID19 pandemic moved us to use web channels the most.
The results achieved by the project will be exploited by Metco following the Business Plan and Commercialization Plan prepared within the project with direct sales towards our early adopters and first target customers, with a proprietary already established distribution network over the world.
