This document provides summaries of several successfully implemented projects that received EU funds. It describes projects at the Science and Technology Park in Sofia that created laboratories and infrastructure to support innovation. It also summarizes projects at companies like Unipack, Witte Automotive, ZMM Pobeda, and Monbat that introduced new technologies and products, expanding production capacities and creating new jobs. Finally, it summarizes projects at the Naval Academy and Vi-Rus International that enhanced research capabilities and strengthened export potential through investments in new equipment and technologies.

1. SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES OF USING
EU FUNDS
Operational Programme "Development of the Competitiveness of the
Bulgarian Economy" 2007-2013

2. SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES OF USING EU FUNDS
PROJECT “SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PARK”
Operational programme "Development of the Competitiveness of the Bulgarian Economy" 2007-2013
Beneficiary: “Sofia Tech Park” JSC - a state-owned company aiming to boost the development of research,
innovation and technological capabilities of Bulgaria in partnership with private and public institutions in order to
create and manage an environment for innovation, provide support to the commercialization of new technologies,
products and services.
Total project amount: BGN 97 766 105, 66 (Grant: BGN 97 259 293, 34)
Start date: 10.01.2013 End date: 31.12.2015
Project aim – to create innovation input conditions comprising of research infrastructure and infrastructure for
dissemination of research results and thus creating conductive environment for innovations; to create innovation
output conditions comprising of developing of knowledge-based businesses through an incubator transforming
the research results into industrial applications; and in parallel creating efficient working environment for research
and innovations through providing cultural, sports and other infrastructure; to promote the development of high
technology, innovation and applied science in Bulgaria, as well as to strengthen the competitiveness of science and
entrepreneurship; to accelerate these processes by bridging the gap between the academic and business
communities and by creating favorable conditions for startup companies with innovative ideas.
Specific aim achieved – the first science and technology park (T+IN – Technology and Innovation network) in
Bulgaria designed and created to act as a platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas between academia,
business, government and society. Apart from modern infrastructure and laboratory equipment, the park also
provides professional services to technology-based companies in the process of incubation. Events are being
organized in T+IN, including forums on entrepreneurship, innovation and science, in cooperation with leading
universities and technology companies.
The project is intended to be fully completed under Operational programme "Development of the Competitiveness of
the Bulgarian Economy" 2007-2013 with a total budget amounting to BGN 12 500 000 for further construction works,
delivery of equipment, establishing a voucher funding scheme, creating a web based platform for science
infrastructure, etc.

3. SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES OF USING EU FUNDS
PROJECT “SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PARK”
Results Achieved:
A complex of 11 Laboratories – managed by an independent consortium, established specifically for that purpose
(members: leading academic institutions such as Sofia University, Technical University of Sofia, Medical University
of Sofia, and the Bulgarian Academy of Science). The laboratories within the complex carry out independent and
collaborative research and development activities – Bioinfomatics Lab, BioPharmaceutical Lab complex (Lab for
extraction of natural products and synthesis of bioactive compounds, “In vitro” laboratory for evaluation of
biological activity and toxicity; Pharmaceutical development and characterization and “In Silico“ design), Artificial
Intelligence, Intelligent Communication Infrastructures Lab, Micro Nano Lab, Virtual and Augmented Reality Lab,
Cyber Security Lab, 3D Creativity and New Products Rapid Prototyping Lab, High Performance Computing Lab
Innovation Forum - built to disseminate knowledge and facilitate the conduction of research activity, to serve as
an instrument for increasing awareness, for creating ability for informed choices, for exchange of information
materials and perspectives and also for understanding and solving problems related to the focus areas of research;
Incubator - built to provide business support and office space in order to assists the SMEs to start up and grow
and also to provide services in order to develop innovation and knowledge based businesses. Designed for
working, networking and supporting startup companies to develop their ideas into successful business ventures,
while it also provides them with the opportunity to access various funding sources; entrepreneurs, mentors,
accelerators and investment funds under the same roof.
Museum /Experimentarium - A place for interaction with science and technology, while companies could present
their innovative products; a place where scientific research and technological transfer results are exhibited and can
be seen.
Sports complex and Multi-storey Car Parking – built to provide an environment that enhances and facilitates
innovation, creativity and quality win order to contribute to the accomplishment of the research, development and
innovation activities on the territory of the science and technology park.

4. SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES OF USING EU FUNDS

5. SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES OF USING EU FUNDS
SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED PROJECT BY
„UNIPACK“ JSC
Operational programme "Development of the Competitiveness of the Bulgarian Economy" 2007-2013
Grant Procedure: BG161PO003-1.1.07 „Implementation of innovations in enterprises“
Main production activity: Production of a wide range of packaging and packaging products made of paper,
cardboard and micro corrugated cardboard and flexible soft packaging.
Project name: „Improving the efficiency and competitiveness of Unipack JSC through introduction of innovative
process for web offset print on flexible packaging“.
Total project amount: BGN 6 645 521,07 Paid grant amount: BGN 2 999113,86
Specific aim achieved – Introduced innovative production process for web offset print on flexible (soft)
packaging with UV inks, with possibility of changing the length of the footprint by fabric technology.
Results Achieved:
Delivered and introduced innovative Machine for web offset print with UV inks on flexible (soft) packaging with
possibility of changing the length of the footprint by fabric technology;
Increasing the production capacity of flexible packaging with 114% and increased revenues from sales;
Optimal cost of production and reducing production costs for printing flexible packaging;
Reduced amount of technological waste and lower energy consumption;
Introduced 5 new products;
Created 3 new workplaces.

6. SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES OF USING EU FUNDS

7. SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES OF USING EU FUNDS
SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED PROJECT BY
„WITTE AUTOMOTIVE BULGARIA“ Ltd.
Operational Programme "Development of the Competitiveness of the Bulgarian Economy" 2007-2013
Grant Procedure : BG161PO003-1.1.07 „Implementation of innovations in enterprises“
Main production activity: producing of different types of locking systems for automobile industry.
Project name: Introducing of innovative products and processes for locking and latching systems for
automobiles in “WITTE Automotive Bulgaria” Ltd.
Total project amount: BGN 5 999 934,64 Paid grant amount: BGN 2 419 239,58
Specific aim achieved – delivery of production lines, technological and industrial equipment and software for
producing of 5 innovative products- different types of locking systems for automobiles.
Results Achieved:
Delivered and introduced 5 innovative technological production lines - D2xx GM Delta III, Toyota 560A RLV,
Volvo SPA hood latch, Volvo SPA lock set, PSA_K0 Hood latch;
Delivered and installed software and hardware for development, simulation and engineering testing of the
innovative products;
Produced 5 innovative products –locking automobile systems for automobile companies Toyota, Volvo,
General Motors, Peugeot and Citroen;
Created 66 work places.

8. SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES OF USING EU FUNDS

9. SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES OF USING EU FUNDS
SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED PROJECT BY
„ZMM Pobeda - Sliven“ JSC.
Operational programme "Development of the Competitiveness of the Bulgarian Economy" 2007-2013
Grant Procedure : BG161PO003-1.1.07 „Introduction of innovations in the enterprises”
Main production activity: manufacturing of metal processing machinery.
Project name: “Implementation for Production of an Innovative Product at „ZMM Pobeda - Sliven“ JSC“ –
Production line for welded steel pipes with a square and rectangular cross section.
Total project amount: BGN 4 561 680.00 Paid grant amount: BGN 2 735 619.60
Specific aim achieved – an innovative product was implemented in the production (Production line for welded
steel pipes with a square and rectangular cross section), new equipment was acquired and the product portfolio
was expanded.
Results Achieved:
Equipment for production of an innovative product was purchased and introduced in the production process.
Production costs were lowered; production time needed for the product and the corresponding finishing works
were reduced; productivity rate was raised; the product was launched on foreign markets; the number of
discarded products was lowered and energy costs were cut.
Employment rate was increased – new working places were created.

10. SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES OF USING EU FUNDS

11. SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES OF USING EU FUNDS
SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED PROJECT BY
“NIKOLA VAPTSAROV “ NAVAL ACADEMY
Operational programme "Development of the Competitiveness of the Bulgarian Economy" 2007-2013
Grant Procedure : BG161PO003-1.2.04 „Development of the applied research in the research organizations in
Bulgaria”
Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy (Bulgarian Maritime University) is the oldest (est. 1881) technical educational
institution in Bulgaria and it is recognized as the most prestigious center for training of maritime specialists in
the country. The main research fields are naval equipment, marine technologies, shipping and maritime
education for the Navy and merchant shipping.
Project name: Innovative eco and energy saving solutions in Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy.
Total project amount: 648 990 BGN Paid grant amount: 576 799 BGN
Specific aim achieved – R&D capacity improvement aimed at better maritime specialist training in the field of
maritime ecology and energy efficiency.
Results Achieved:
Established Laboratory complex for sea waters quality testing
Established Laboratory complex for control and prevention of oil spills and malfunctions in maritime transport
Established Laboratory complex for ship propulsion and energetic systems effectiveness improvements

12. SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES OF USING EU FUNDS

13. SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES OF USING EU FUNDS
SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTЕD PROJECT BY
„MONBAT“ JSCo.
Operational programme "Development of the Competitiveness of the Bulgarian Economy" 2007-2013
Grant Procedure : BG161PO003-1.1.07 „Introduction of innovations in the enterprises”
Main production activity: manufacturing of lead-acid batteries for various applications.
Project name: “Production of innovative product - lead-acid batteries AGM Technology (Absorbent Glass-Mat)
for electrical systems - "hybrid" (battery - diesel generator, battery - solar panels, battery - wind generator)
operating at ambient temperatures higher than 40˚C”;
Total project amount: BGN 4 114 621 Paid grant amount: BGN 2 060 558
Specific aim achieved – An innovative product is introduced in production - lead-acid batteries AGM
Technology, operating at ambient temperatures higher than 40˚C and introduced an innovative manufacturing
process for the enterprise and Bulgaria - punching of lead bars
Results Achieved:
Introduced in production innovative product - lead-acid batteries AGM Technology;
Introduction of an innovative for the enterprise and Bulgaria manufacturing process - punching of lead bars;
Delivered and introduced into production: System for continuous casting of multi alloy strip for production of
rechargeable bars; System for punching of lead-tin-calcium bar ; Rectifiers; Baths for shaping;
Increasing of production capacity for VRLA batteries as a whole with 117.24%
Optimization of the production costs of the new battery with 10.75 %, compared to conventional VRLA batteries
(at unchanged prices of materials);
Increased share of the company on world markets;
Occupying 10% share of the global market for batteries for hybrid systems.

14. SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES OF USING EU FUNDS

15. SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES OF USING EU FUNDS
SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED PROJECT BY
„Vi-Rus International“ Ltd.
Operational programme "Innovations and Competitiveness"
Grant Procedure: BG16RFOP002-2.001 „Improving production capacity of SMEs“
Main production activity: The main object of the company is the design, production and marketing of PCB
(printed circuit board) products and electronic components
Project name: Strengthening the export potential of Vi-Rus International Ltd.
Total project amount: BGN 790 000 Paid grant amount: BGN 553 000
Specific aim achieved – reduction of costs of manufactured products, increased competitiveness and export
potential, increased production capacity, enhanced export potential and expanded market share.
Results Achieved:
A new flexible automated system for drilling and milling of high printed circuits was introduced into the
production;
The equipment delivered affects the quality characteristics of the products due to its high precision work,
advanced methods of adjustment and control and allow the production of new products, such as multilayer
printed circuits;
Expanded market share of the company and business opportunities;
Introduced new technologies to improve resource efficiency and effectiveness in the production process as well
as reduced overall manufacturing costs

16. SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES OF USING EU FUNDS