Plastic nanotechnology: Spain at the forefront of research and development of new graphene-based materials

Date: 03/07/2017
Categories: Other news

The public-private collaboration between Spanish companies, technology centres and research organizations has enabled the implementation of a new research initiative in the field of graphene for the development of new industrial applications with high added value and advanced properties.

The project GRAPHOS is led by the company of specialty chemicals CROMOGENIA and has the participation of ANTEX, ARZUBIALDE, BECSA, ELIX POLYMERS, MAIER, NANOINNOVA and POLYMEC. It kicks off with the ambitious aim of achieving the incorporation of graphene and carbonaceous nanostructures in a broad range of polymeric matrixes. In this way, it is expected to achieve the integration in different products with advanced functionalities and improved physical-mechanical properties.

In particular, the project GRAPHOS focuses its activity on automotive, plastics, paints, inks and coatings, construction, textile and electronics industries. In this way, four out of the eight large sectors where developments in graphene and carbonaceous nanostructures are expected to have a higher impact: energy aerospace, automotive, biomedicine, coatings, composites, sensors, electronics and defence.

The consortium GRAPHOS covers the value chain from production and functionalization of graphenes and carbonaceous nanostructures to the development of thermoplastic matrixes and thermosetting matrixes according to GRMs (Graphene and Related Materials) until the integration in final product of acrylics, polyester, polyurethane, polypropylenes, SBS, SAN and ABS.

Besides, the consortium relies on four technology centres with recognized prestige in the plastics, textile and chemical sector with an extensive experience working with nanomaterials and carbonaceous materials, AIMPLAS, AITEX, CIDETEC and LEITAT and three prestigious public research bodies in the field of research and characterization of nanomaterials, what will provide technical-scientific support to the participant companies in R&D tasks: CSIC ICMM, CSIC IMM and UPC.

The project is funded by the programme CIEN, co-funded with ERDF funds with a budget of EUR 7,200,022.00 million and a grant of EUR 5,400,016.50 million in a period of four years.

For further information: www.aimplas.net