 NMP-2007-4.0-2 Application of new materials including bio-based fibres in high-added value textile products
Technical content / scope: Intensified research and development efforts, especially from the SME segment of the textiles industry, are required for reinforcing Europe’s leadership in the technical textiles field and for establishing the EU as the global lead market for application of innovative textile products. Enhanced fibre properties are the key for improving the properties of these new products and applications in terms of weight performance ratios, strength, durability, flexibility, bio-degradability, energy-efficiency, insulation, temperature and moisture management, permeability, self-cleaning and self-healing. The new materials targeted by the topic are based on natural and bio-based fibres, speciality fibres and fibre-composites.
The research should concentrate on bulk fibres with new or significantly improved properties, novel fibres with tailored functionalities for special applications, natural fibres and bio-based fibres; new processing and production concepts include the development of environmentally friendly and energy-efficient processing and surface modification of fibres, yarns and fabrics to enhance manufacturing of textile- and composite-based innovative products. Deliverables will include the fibre innovation itself, the development of new products and application areas and competitive new processing and production concepts. The main application areas targeted are transport systems, energy systems, agri- and aquaculture, food and packaging applications, machines and other durable equipment, sports and leisure, furniture, home textiles and other similar consumer application sectors.
Funding scheme: Collaborative projects targeted to SMEs
Specific features: SME dedicated collaborative projects are specifically designed to encourage SME participation in research and innovation representing the complete value added of the targeted sectors. 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. Smart textiles with embedded systems such as sensors and actuators as well as developments with the main applications in building and construction, medical and protective clothing domains are excluded from this call.
Expected impact: The expected strategic impacts include: (1) promoting Innovation and the ability of European Textile SMEs to use the results of research; (2) founding market competitiveness on knowledge and added value through highly specific customisation to address specific high-tech markets ideally suited to European Textile high-tech SMEs. More specifically, replacement of currently used traditional textile and non-textile materials in the targeted application areas by at least 20% and an acceleration of currently projected growth rates for technical textile application areas by at least 10% over the next 5 to 10 years. |
