AIMPLAS and INESCOP focus research on bioadhesives for the footwear, construction and transport sectors
Additive manufacturing is considered one of the enabling technologies in the process of evolution and convergence of companies in the plastics sector towards the industry 4.0 concept. This technology makes it possible to manufacture functional, high-added-value parts to compete with traditional machining and forming processes.
AIMPLAS, Valencia’s Technological Plastics Institute, is currently immersed in a 3D FUTURE project with the financial support of the Valencian SME Institute IVACE aimed at developing improved formulations from biocompatible polymeric compounds, resins and technical thermoplastics with improved properties, and adapting their characteristics to the specifications of the 3D printing process using FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling), SLA (Stereolithography) and bio-printing technology.
This will bring about important advances in manufacturing possibilities using additive technologies in which new materials developed for products with high added value can be applied. Participating companies will be able to demonstrate by validation that the formulations developed within the framework of the project are consistent with current and future demands.
The project focuses mainly on three sectors: the health and medical sector, telecommunications, and the aeronautical-aerospace sector – three industries that require short print runs combined with high added value. Moreover, these are sectors lacking in plastic materials and improvements in additive manufacturing processes which might otherwise allow them to incorporate new technologies into their sophisticated end applications.
The ECOGLUE I project enjoys the cooperation of the companies AVANTEK GROUP, 2ACAD, 3DFILS, 3DWHOLE and SICNOVA. In addition, the project involves the Institute of Telecommunications and Multimedia Applications (ITEAM) of the Valencia Polytechnic (UPV), the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Parasitology of the Faculty of Pharmacy (University of Valencia General Studies) and the University Miguel Hernández de Elche; with financing from the Valencian Regional Government Department of Sustainable Economy, Production Sectors, Commerce and Employment through grants from the IVACE and co-financing from EU FEDER funds within the FEDER Operational Programme for the Valencian Community 2014-2020. These grants are offered to technology centres of the Valencian Community for the development of non-economic R&D projects carried out in cooperation with companies for the year 2019.
