Periodic Reporting for period 1 - polyBioMetal (Polymer Biotechnological Metallization)
Berichtszeitraum: 2019-12-01 bis 2020-05-31
Metallization of surfaces is a very important process included in various industrial processes in several industries. PolyBioMetal project was mainly focused on the metallization of polymers for the automotive industry, as an alternative for vacuum deposition technology that is currently used. We would alternatively use a completely new green technology that can metallize surfaces by using photosynthetic algae.
The project will help the society in several ways. In contrast to the current vacuum coating technology that is used for surface metallization, our novel technology does not require complex and expensive vacuum coating facilities, harsh chemicals and high temperatures that add up to a high environmental impact. Instead, the polymer objects are immersed in the aqueous medium containing salts and algae and when exposed to the light, the metal layer forms on the surface of the immersed object. Users of POLYBIOMETAL technology will enjoy the following benefits: lower cost (up to 80 % savings), 95 % less (hazardous) waste and more flexibility for the metallization.
Our main market strategy was to target the injection moulding industry in Europe that is in recession and where there is a clear need to take action with disruptive solutions. One way to add value to the moulded products is the surface treatment from which the objects get additional functional and/or aesthetic properties. The surface treatment industry, where the automotive market is one of the biggest customers, shows an increasing interest in novel solutions for deposition of metallic layers on polymers.
However, during the feasibility study we realized that the technology could also be applied to glass surface treatment. The need for novel solutions and innovations in glass surface functionalization came from industrial leaders in this segment that contacted us. Coated glasses are extremely important for energy efficiency of buildings. Currently the trend for energetically efficient building construction and national regulations require novel materials that add up to overall energetic efficiency. This is paving the way to growth of the glass coating industry. The current technology requires very complex and expensive equipment and the end products have many times several flaws that we can address with our technology. We are also indirectly solving the problem of end users that wants as much sunlight indoor as possible and as big heat reflection as possible at the same time.
Since the coatings on glass are much thinner than the coatings on polymers in the automotive industry and are ideally invisible to the naked eye, there is a great probability that the glass coating segment is a better focus for our solution. The feasibility study is addressing this dilemma and the final business plan will be focused on the more profitable and technologically adequate industrial segment.
The project will help the society in several ways. In contrast to the current vacuum coating technology that is used for surface metallization, our novel technology does not require complex and expensive vacuum coating facilities, harsh chemicals and high temperatures that add up to a high environmental impact. Instead, the polymer objects are immersed in the aqueous medium containing salts and algae and when exposed to the light, the metal layer forms on the surface of the immersed object. Users of POLYBIOMETAL technology will enjoy the following benefits: lower cost (up to 80 % savings), 95 % less (hazardous) waste and more flexibility for the metallization.
Our main market strategy was to target the injection moulding industry in Europe that is in recession and where there is a clear need to take action with disruptive solutions. One way to add value to the moulded products is the surface treatment from which the objects get additional functional and/or aesthetic properties. The surface treatment industry, where the automotive market is one of the biggest customers, shows an increasing interest in novel solutions for deposition of metallic layers on polymers.
However, during the feasibility study we realized that the technology could also be applied to glass surface treatment. The need for novel solutions and innovations in glass surface functionalization came from industrial leaders in this segment that contacted us. Coated glasses are extremely important for energy efficiency of buildings. Currently the trend for energetically efficient building construction and national regulations require novel materials that add up to overall energetic efficiency. This is paving the way to growth of the glass coating industry. The current technology requires very complex and expensive equipment and the end products have many times several flaws that we can address with our technology. We are also indirectly solving the problem of end users that wants as much sunlight indoor as possible and as big heat reflection as possible at the same time.
Since the coatings on glass are much thinner than the coatings on polymers in the automotive industry and are ideally invisible to the naked eye, there is a great probability that the glass coating segment is a better focus for our solution. The feasibility study is addressing this dilemma and the final business plan will be focused on the more profitable and technologically adequate industrial segment.
Month 1: Market assessment; At first we prepared market report on injection moulding and surface treatment companies in the automotive sector and. The report includes market data analysis and commercial risk assessment.
Month 2: Market assessment; The second month was dedicated to market report on flat glass surface treatments. This report was also supported by the technical assessment and approved by the management team (achieved M1).
Month 3: Technical and operational assessment; In month 3 we addressed the technological challenges for scale up of our technology for glass coating facilities. We also made some meetings arrangements with potential partners and users of our technology.
Financial assessment; In month 3 we made an estimation for the financial needs to reach TRL 9. In order to secure financing for further development and market introduction we started to make several economic analyses with risks and screening for funding possibilities.
Month 4: Business strategy; In this month the plan was to meet with several partners and sign at least one letter of intent, but due to Covid-19 the situation changed completely. Because of this, we started with the preparation of technical sheets and promotional materials in order to be prepared for better times.
Technical and operational assessment; In month 4 we started the assessment of IP. The best scenario confirmed by the management team was to patent and licence our technology.
Financial assessment; The financial assessment was further improved by quotes for scale-up equipment and by talking with potential industrial partners.
Month 5: Technical and operational assessment; Month 5 was mainly focused on the metallization quality document. Online communications with potential partners proved to be much more difficult compared to personal meetings.
Financial assessment; In month 5 we spoke with 2 potential investors and we further elaborated the financial plan.
Month 6: Business strategy; we expect to achieve M2 with a letter of intent we are expecting.
Technical and operational assessment; M3: we will have an approved plan of technological implementation in industrial plants, a confirmed IPR strategy and a metallization quality document.
Financial assessment; M4: confirmed financing plan to reach TRL 9.
Month 2: Market assessment; The second month was dedicated to market report on flat glass surface treatments. This report was also supported by the technical assessment and approved by the management team (achieved M1).
Month 3: Technical and operational assessment; In month 3 we addressed the technological challenges for scale up of our technology for glass coating facilities. We also made some meetings arrangements with potential partners and users of our technology.
Financial assessment; In month 3 we made an estimation for the financial needs to reach TRL 9. In order to secure financing for further development and market introduction we started to make several economic analyses with risks and screening for funding possibilities.
Month 4: Business strategy; In this month the plan was to meet with several partners and sign at least one letter of intent, but due to Covid-19 the situation changed completely. Because of this, we started with the preparation of technical sheets and promotional materials in order to be prepared for better times.
Technical and operational assessment; In month 4 we started the assessment of IP. The best scenario confirmed by the management team was to patent and licence our technology.
Financial assessment; The financial assessment was further improved by quotes for scale-up equipment and by talking with potential industrial partners.
Month 5: Technical and operational assessment; Month 5 was mainly focused on the metallization quality document. Online communications with potential partners proved to be much more difficult compared to personal meetings.
Financial assessment; In month 5 we spoke with 2 potential investors and we further elaborated the financial plan.
Month 6: Business strategy; we expect to achieve M2 with a letter of intent we are expecting.
Technical and operational assessment; M3: we will have an approved plan of technological implementation in industrial plants, a confirmed IPR strategy and a metallization quality document.
Financial assessment; M4: confirmed financing plan to reach TRL 9.
The project has had several impacts so far. We gained a lot of attention from the media, gave several interviews for national journals and radios. The result was that many companies contacted us that are interested in our technology. For us it was interesting because before the project we had not thought about many different industries and companies profiles that would benefit from this technology. We somehow connected new industrial networks that will benefit all involved parties.
Our story and this project has had another interesting effect. Many companies that applied, failed and gave up applying for EU funds, regained motivation for starting projects again after hearing our story.
Our story and this project has had another interesting effect. Many companies that applied, failed and gave up applying for EU funds, regained motivation for starting projects again after hearing our story.