Project description
Algae are the newest recruits to automotive manufacturing
Polymers have become a part of our lives, found in everything from the synthetic fibres in clothes to the plastic containers we use for food and beverages to the casings of our electronics equipment. When it comes to manufacture of rigid plastics, injection moulding has been instrumental. Hot liquid materials are injected into moulds, much like the process of pouring cake batter into a pan. Many European injection moulding companies are seeking new ways to add value to products they already produce, and one of those ways is metallisation of parts for the automotive industry. The EU-funded polyBioMetal project is recruiting the help of metal-depositing algae to create an economically viable and eco-friendly alternative to current vacuum deposition techniques.
Objective
Injection moulding industry in Europe is in recession and there is a clear need to take actions in order to allow the recovery of this industry. Surface treatment of injected products offers the opportunity to add value to products and to enter in new industries. The automotive market is the most valuable injection moulding sector where surface treated (metallized) objects are used for functional parts (headlights) and aesthetic parts (decorative finishing). The current technology for the metallization process is usually vacuum deposition. The limitations of vacuum deposition are well known, where high investment in the technology, negative environmental impact and high-energy demands are the most prominent. A biotechnological solution for polymers metallization is a novel solution, where algae are used to deposit metals on selected surfaces. There are no similar solutions worldwide and the implementation of this technology will address several EU directives and guidelines with benefits in the industry and environmental protection. POLYBIOMETAL project will allow the commercialization of a disruptive green technology that will allow cost efficient, fast, simple and environmentally friendly metallization of polymers. POLYBIOMETAL is a novel and disruptive technology that uses algae for the metallization of polymers. This process will allow a sustainable and more competitive metallization process.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinator
6000 KOPER - CAPODISTRIA
Slovenia
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.