PS-Eurostars – Development and scaling up of new formulations based on almond shell filled thermoplastics

Kurzfassung

A Spanish research centre seeks partners for a project aimed to design and develop new formulations based on almond shell filled thermoplastic, processed by extrusion and injection moulding. These compounds will be tested and their production process scaled up for sectors such as toys, furniture and decoration. The partner has to be a manufacturer in any sector and will actively collaborate in the determination of requirements and specifications to validate the material.

Details

The main objective of the project is to develop new formulations based on almond shell filled thermoplastics which can be processed by extrusion and injection moulding.

The formulations will be researched, applied and tested on several prototypes aiming different sectors (toy, furniture, decoration, windows and doors, wood appearance walls and floors, etc.) for its industrial scaling and further industrialization.

The specific objectives for this project are the following ones:
- Carrying out three new compounds of commodity thermoplastics filled with almond shell that met the technical, economical and other requirements established for an important range of commercial applications, such as the toy sector.
- Obtaining one or several technical prototypes by the injection moulding or other technology of these new formulations and validating the appropriateness of the materials to the products through the analysis of mechanical and physical properties and comparison to the safety standards or other legislation applicable to each specific sector.
- Wide dissemination of the results and establishment of the bases for the exploitation & commercialization.
- Exhibition of the products on an international scale, with the aim of making them available to the market in short term.

The value chain of the consortium is based in the coverage of the following steps: KNOW HOW – COMPOUNDER – TOY VALIDATOR

So that, the consortium is looking for validators from companies working in different sectors and established in of the countries specified in the Eurostars Call (except Spain).

Technical Specifications / Specific technical requirements:
The value chain of the consortium is based in the coverage of the following steps: KNOW HOW – COMPOUNDER – TOY VALIDATOR

So that, the consortium is looking for validators from companies working in different sectors and established in any of the countries specified in the Eurostars Call (except Spain).

The partner should be able to integrate this wood plastic composite within a sector whose articles should have wood appearance such as furniture, decoration, out and indoors goods. Other applications can also be considered.

The proposal is being prepared for the next cut-off deadline of the EUREKA’s Eurostars Programme. This will be on 22nd September 2011 at 20:00 C.E.S.T.

Eurostars is a European funding and support programme specially dedicated to SMEs. It stimulates them to lead international collaborative research and innovation projects by easing access to support and funding.

This programme is addressed to any technological area, but must have a civilian purpose and be aimed at the development of a new product, process or service.

The projects are collaborative, so they must involve at least two participants from two different Eurostars participant countries. The main participant must be a research-performing SME from one of these countries.

The role of the SME participants in the project should be significant. At least 50% of the project’s core activity should be carried out by SMEs.

The project is conceived, scheduled and partially written. New partners from Eurostars countries are being search for the validation of other interested sectors.

Approximately the requested EU funding will be €1 million.

The percentage of the EU funding will depend on the conditions established by each country (see: http://www.eurostars-eureka.eu/where.do).

The consortium will cover all the value chain that is composed of:
- A Spanish RDT, that has the know-how
- A Spanish compounder
- A toy sector validator
- Another sector validator and integrator