Cost-effective plastics with the visual and tactile properties of metals.
The central project goal is cross-border cooperation, networking and joint R&D activities between SMEs and R&D institutions from less developed, non-urban areas (e.g., Miren, Stainz, Leoben, Slovenj Gradec) with one of Europe's leading household appliance manufacturers, who are working together to develop new polymer-based solutions that can replace stainless steel or aluminium for sophisticated designs in various industries.
The joint R&D activities focus on the promising field of developing and manufacturing cost-efficient polymer surfaces with the optical and haptic properties of metals. Until now, stainless steel or aluminium has been used to achieve high-quality surfaces for household appliances, lighting, sports equipment, etc. For more complex geometries, the use of steel is technically very demanding, expensive and time-consuming.
The joint R&D activities focus on the promising field of developing and manufacturing cost-efficient polymer surfaces with the optical and haptic properties of metals. Until now, stainless steel or aluminium has been used to achieve high-quality surfaces for household appliances, lighting, sports equipment, etc. For more complex geometries, the use of steel is technically very demanding, expensive and time-consuming.
The consortium includes universities and R&D institutions that contribute to the dissemination of knowledge both through their students and through employees in companies. Together, they not only work in a technologically challenging field, but also promote local economic growth in the individual regions, as well as know-how and competitiveness.
