 NMP-2007-2.4-1 Flexible efficient processing for polymers
Technical content/scope: Increasing energy and raw material costs are changing the worldwide market for polymeric materials and for plastic processing. Alternatives to current plastic processing, e.g. involving natural feed stocks, are expected to become increasingly competitive. Flexible polymer processing using energy efficient curing methods (e.g. microwaves) and a diversity of raw materials are essential for radical innovation in the sector. New processing methods for speciality polymers which are radically more cost efficient because of resource savings are also required. The projects should focus on finding flexible and energy-efficient processing approaches with a smart use of materials (saving resources and tailored to the application) in an environmentally friendly manner. Research is needed on highly energy efficient processes (e.g. integrating treatment, compounding, cleansing and processing, precise microprocessing with lasers) and use of alternative energy sources for plastics processing and polymeric materials (e.g. UV, microwave, optical microprocessing). Polymer nanocomposite processing is excluded.
Funding scheme: Collaborative projects targeted to SMEs.
Special features: SME dedicated collaborative projects are specifically designed to encourage SME participation in research and innovation representing the complete value added of the targeted fields. Research and innovation activities need to be covered by the projects. In each project, at least 35% of the EC contribution is expected to be allocated to the participating SMEs. The projects will be led by SMEs with R&D capacities but the coordinator does not need to be an SME. The participating SMEs should have the decision making power in the project management. The output should be for the benefit of the participating SMEs and the targeted SME dominated industrial communities.
Expected impacts: In today’s global market, polymer processing in Europe needs to be highly efficient and flexible to keep up with competition from other parts of the world and the pressures on supply of energy and raw material resources. New polymer processing methods, e.g. using natural feed stocks and renewable resources, are expected to be developed that are cost effective and require a smaller amount of resources.
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