This document summarizes AIMPLAS, a Centre of Innovation and Technology that supports companies in the plastic sector. It has over 100 professionals and 8,500 square meters of facilities with advanced technologies. AIMPLAS provides R&D projects, testing, materials processing, technical assistance, and training solutions. It also discusses opportunities for international collaboration and EU funding programs. AIMPLAS has participated in over 80 projects, providing benefits like facing ambitious challenges, preparing for the future, risk sharing, and networking. Examples of successful projects involving SMEs are provided. Innovation trends are highlighted like weight reduction, improved properties, multifunctionality, and environmental improvement.

1. NewYear Event 2014 - Flanders' PlasticVision
30th January 2014

2. About AIMPLAS

3. AIMPLAS is a Centre of Innovation and Technology (CIT)
21 years of experience supporting companies in the plastic sector
A team of more than 100 highly qualified professionals
Over 8.500 m2 facilities with the latest advanced technologies

4. Market
oriented
RGB
6/4/6
RGB
20/5/95

5. Revenues by
activity
2012 DATA
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20/5/95

6. Solutions for Plastics
1. R&D Projects
2. Analysis and Testing
3. Materials’ Processing
4. Technical Assistance
5. Competitive Intelligence
6. Training

7. International partnering & funding opportunities
for Industrial Research & Innovation

8. Funding Programmes
EU Framework Programmes (FP5 to FP7)
Capacities (CRAFT, Collective, Research for SMEs, Research for SME Associations)
Cooperation (NMP, KBBE)
CIP Eco-Innovation
INTERREG SUDOE
LIFE+
PEOPLE Marie-Curie
LEONARDO
CORNET
Cost Action
IEE
EUREKA
IBEROEKA
Fecyt
Since 2000 AIMPLAS has participated in more than 80 international projects

9. Collaborations in Europe: UE Funding (2000 – 2013)
Research, Development and Innovation projects
Funding Programme
Nº of projects
Total budget
(€)
Nº of enterprises
involved
How many of them
were SMEs?
FP5
9
13.601.927
33
33
FP6
18
56.911.186
158
148
FP7
34
114.733.226
260
190
CIP Eco-Innovation
7
7.765.249
22
20
LIFE+
3
3.948.978
3
1
LEONARDO
2
799.788
3
3
EIE
2
2.159.076
0
0
SUDOE
2
1.434.143
0
0
479
395
Total
77
203.938.572

10. Benefits of EC funded Industrial Research &
Innovation projects
Possibility to face ambitious projects
Be prepared for the future (compliance with new legislation, incorporate
forefront materials/processes1,……………..)
Share the risk
Public funding for research (% related to the type of project)
Internationalisation
Networking: To establish relations with European enterprises and RTOs
Wide Dissemination: Visibility
e.g. CNTs (1 kg): 1.700€ (2005), 90€ (2013)

11. The other side of the coin
Highly competitive Calls
Resources to prepare a competitive bid
Heavy administrative load: presentation, negotiation and
realisation
Management:
• Technical
• Personnel
• Administrative
All the incertity of a “research” project
need flexibility

12. Key issues
Identify industrial needs
Have an innovative solution
If looking for EC funds it should fit with EC Calls
To find the best partners
But only the partners necessary to perform the project
Sound coordination, both for preparation and execution

13. AIMPLAS support for SMEs
Highly skilled professionals to help enterprises to identify the best
technical solution for their needs
Assistance to identify the most suitable Call
Technical and management expertise to prepare a competitive bid
Help to build up the consortiums through our networks
Support to SMEs in all management/administrative aspects along
the whole process

14. EUROPEAN COMPOSITES
PLASTICS and POLYMER
PROCESSING PLATFORM

15. Some project examples

16. PICUS: Development of a 100% Biodegradable Plastic Fibre to Manufacture
Twines to Stake Creeping Plants and Nets to Pack Agricultural Products
(https://proyectos.aimplas.es/picus/)
Type of project: CRAFT
Participant countries: 5
Enterprises: 9 (3)
RTD: 3
After the project:
Eco-Innovation for industrialisation

17. POLYCOND: Creating Competitive Edge for the European Polymer
Processing Industry Driving New Added-Value Products with
Conductive Polymers.
(www.polycond.com)
Type of project : Integrated Project for SMEs (IP-SMEs)
Paticipant countries: 5
Enterprises: 13 (4)
Industrial Associations: 4
RTD: 3
After the project:
Partners collaboration
New projects

18. PEGASUS: Integrated Engineering Processing & Materials Technologies for
the European Sector
(www.pegasus-eu.net/)
Type of project : Integrated Project for SMEs (IP-SMEs).
Paticipant countries: 8
Enterprises: 13 (1)
Industrial Associations: 2
RTD: 5
After the project:
Partners collaboration
New projects

19. DOLFIN: Development of Innovative Plastic Structures for
Aquiculture Using a New Composite With Crop Waste as
Reinforcing Filler.
(www.aimplas.es/proyectos/dolfin)
Type of project : CRAFT.
Participant countries: 6
Enterprises: 10 (3)
RTD: 4
After the project:
Partners collaboration
New projects

20. CODE: Curing Polyester Resins on Demand
(www.curing-on-demand.info/)
Type of project : STREP.
Participant countries: 3
Enterprises: 4
RTD: 2
After the project:
Partners collaboration
New projects

21. CRYOSINTER: Development of an Innovative Recycling Process Based on
Cryogenic and Water Jet Grinding and Sintering Techniques for Extending the
Use of Recycled Rubber in the Development of High Quality Products
(www.cryosinter-project.net/)
Type of project : CRAFT
Participant countries: 6
Enterprises: 8 (3)
RTD: 3
After the project:
Eco-Innovation for industrialisation

22. Innovation trends

23. Innovation trends
Highly related to the application:
Weight reduction
Improved properties
Multifunctionality
Materials should be more “active” and “intelligent”
Materials and processes have to fit “personalization” trend
Cost reduction maintaining properties/functionalities: material
reduction, shorter production cycles, lower energy consumption…
To improve environmental behaviour

24. Thank you
Liliana Chamudis-Varan
Deputy Director
Head of Projects Area
lchamudis@aimplas.es
Conecte con @aimplas