Industrial Area
Plastic Materials & Composites
At Eurecat, we combine our expertise in thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers to develop advanced solutions in injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming, and compounding.
At the Plastic and Composites Processes Unit, we specialize in the manufacturing of lightweight plastic and composite components with high mechanical performance, applying advanced manufacturing technologies to optimize the performance and added value of parts across a wide range of industries.
We provide comprehensive support throughout the entire process, from conceptualization to the production of pre-series. Additionally, we master the design of tooling for each stage, allowing us to offer complete and customized solutions tailored to the specific needs of each client.
Research Areas
Thermoplastics
Biocomposites
Development of composites with bio-based resins and reinforcements that have a lower environmental impact than conventional materials.
Compounding
Addition and compatibility of mixtures and composites using advanced techniques. Formulation of mixtures and dispersion method in the fuset.
Recycling
Development of recycling methods with the aim of revaluing and reintroducing waste into the value chain.
Plastronics
Functionalisation of plastic pieces through the integration of electronic elements with reduced weight and dimensions.
Microinjection
Injection of pieces weighing less than 1 gram using conventional injection or ultrasound. Includes proprietary micromould technology.
Nanotexturisation
Surface functionalisation of plastic pieces to give them advanced properties such as hydrophobicity or improved wear resistance.
Thermosetting
Biocomposites
Development of natural materials with vitreous matrix, which improve the recyclability and reparability of composites.
Advanced manufacturing
Development of technologies for the manufacture of structural composite materials with high production rates and lower energy consumption. We use advanced sensors and algorithms to control and automate plastic transformation processes.
Recovery / repairability
Development of composite materials with thermoplastic matrices or glass matrices with repair, adhesion, reprocessability and recyclability capabilities.
Compositronics
Innovative technology that combines composite materials with printed electronics to create functional and lightweight structural components. This technology allows the integration of flexible electronic elements, such as preventive maintenance sensors and real-time monitoring, directly into the matrix of composite parts during the manufacturing process.
LSR
Liquid silicone moulding for the manufacture of high-quality, high-volume parts. Research projects on nanotexturisation and the integration of electronics into silicone parts.
Structural elements
Manufacture of structural parts using lightweight composite materials reinforced with continuous fibres, designed to withstand mechanical loads and offering a high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance, using RTM, thermocompression, overmoulding, vacuum-assisted infusion and pultrusion manufacturing methods.
Facilities
Representative Sectors
Contact
Enric Fontcaba
Director of the Plastics and Composites Unit
Telecommunications Engineer from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia and Diploma in Business Sciences from the Open University of Catalonia. His education was completed with a PhD in Computer Architecture from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, with a thesis on numerical optimisation methods in massively parallel platforms for the design of complex optical surfaces.
Since 2016, he has headed the Polymer & Composite Processes (PCP) technology unit at Eurecat, where he establishes the lines of research in sustainable materials, recycling and advanced transformation processes. In addition, he has been involved in the development of Plastrònica technology since 2017, participating in design, industrialisation and prototyping projects.
- Tel. +34 619 11 21 89
- enric.fontdecaba@eurecat.org
Highlighted projects
Industrial platform that develops a new generation of multifunctional, sustainable, and recyclable bio-based composites (BioC).
Synthesis of biobased and biodegradable polymers using monomers from renewable Biowastes via Biocatalysis and Green Chemistry to contribute to European Circular Bioeconomy.
Graphene aliance for sustainable multifunctional materials to tackle environmental challenges.
Development of novel materials and manufacturing processes for a high-volume production of OLAE devices.
Multimedia
Thermoforming process for composite materials using vitrimer moulds
Vitrimer materials are a type of polymer with the mechanical behaviour of a thermoset and a processability similar to that of a high-temperature thermoplastic. Thanks to their viscoelastic characteristics at high temperatures, vitrimer materials can undergo a thermoforming process.
Clients
News
Eurecat innovates in advanced materials to build more energy-efficient trains
The Eurecat technology centre is coordinating the CARBODIN (Car Body Shells, Doors and Interiors) project which is to support building lighter and [...]
Thermoplastic composite window frames to reduce aircraft weight
The Eurecat technology centre has developed thermoplastic composite window frames for regional aircraft using advanced industrial manufacturing processes to reduce part weight [...]
New products developed using carpet and upholstery fabric leftovers
Pont Aurell y Armengol and the Eurecat technology centre have kicked off a project to develop new advanced materials from carpet and upholstery [...]
Electric vehicles to drive composites market growth
The composites industry is thriving on the back of rising demand in high-tech markets such as aerospace and other segments including [...]
Eurecat wins an award for recycling carbon fibres and generating new, lighter materials for the transport industry
The Eurecat technology centre (a member of Tecnio) and the companies TRC (Thermal Recycling Composites) and MENZOLIT have taken home [...]
Aritex and Eurecat help Airbus test a new wing to reduce CO2 emissions
BLADE, a laminar wing technology manufactured by a European consortium led by Airbus in collaboration with the Catalan firm Aritex [...]