Industrial Area:
Plastic Materials
The Plastic Materials Unit at Eurecat specialises in thermoplastic polymers and their transformation to improve and create plastic components for a wide range of industries
We develop new injection, extrusion, blow moulding and thermoforming solutions to increase the value of plastic pieces.
Functional polymer surfaces
Through the mould, the surface of the piece (in-mould labelling techniques), plasma surface treatment, etc.
IME (in-mould electronics)
Injection moulding with printed electronics on plastic sheets to create plastic pieces with embedded electronics.
Nanotexturisation
Changing the tribological properties of plastic through surface texturisation on a micro and nano scale.
Weight reduction and improvement of characteristics of each piece
Combination of strengthened materials and/or various processes.
Optical-grade pieces (optical plastics)
Plastic products with optical characteristics, achieved through various processes.
Transformation of exotic materials
Research into the transformation of technical and exotic materials, such as PEEK, COP, COC, PLA, materials with medication added, etc.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound energy is used to melt thermoplastic in the injection process to obtain micro-injected pieces.
Process monitoring
Assistance in developing new algorithms to predict the quality of the piece through process data (mould sensor data and machine process data).
Technical support
Support for injection moulding and extrusion processes.
Services
Overmoulding
- Fabric overmoulding for vehicle interiors (door components, dashboard).
- Fashion industry. Decorative elements. FIM.
- Surface decoration through thermoformed inserts.
- Surface decoration through film overmoulding. Used in packaging.
- Plastic pieces with embedded electronic devices, application in HMI and sensors.
Nanotexturisation
- Changing the tribological properties of plastic surfaces through surface texturisation on a micro and nano scale.
- Use of nanotexturised plastic films.
New processes for structural parts
- SEBIT (Suction Extrusion Blow Injection Technology). Combination of injection moulding and suction extrusion in one process to make structural pieces.
- StructLight. Overmoulding of compound sheets and thermoforming in the same process. For structural parts.
- Structural tubes/reinforcements (research ongoing). Combination of suction extrusion tubes with thermoformed compound sheets to create reinforced tubes.
Plastronics Pilot Plant, an international leader in plastic transformation
The new Eurecat’s Plastronics Pilot Plant is the first of these characteristics in Europe. It is a pioneer plant located in Cerdanyola del Vallès at the service of companies for the creation and improvement of products and processes, from the idea to industrialization.
It is composed of two white rooms that allow the orderly combination of different manufacturing processes: one dedicated to printing and electronics and another oriented to plastic processes.
Representative sectors
Contact
Enric Fontdecaba
Director of the Plastic Materials Unit at Eurecat
Graduated on Telecommunications from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, he earned a Diploma in Business Sciences from the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya. His studies are completed with a PhD in Computer Architecture from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia. His thesis was about optimising numerical methods on massively parallel platforms for the design of complex optical surfaces.
For 20 years he has worked in the optics industry, 10 years in research and innovation for the development of new products in the ophthalmic sector and 10 years in the operations management. For three years, he has directed Eurecat’s Plastic Materials Unit.
- Tel. +34 619 11 21 89
- enric.fontdecaba@eurecat.org
Outstanding projects
Advanced Predictive System (APS) for the mould injection industry that reduces the time that it takes to set up a mould, cut down energy consumption and waste material and increase productivity.
In-mould hybrid manufacturing technology for LED screens that allows to reduce the cost by 40 percent and reduce by half polluting emissions during the manufacturing process.
Development of optogenetic medical implants with printed electronics and biocompatible materials to deliver therapeutic proteins to Multiple Sclerosis patients.
News
Robotic system for dismantling and recycling computers
The Eurecat technology centre has presented at the Advanced Manufacturing Madrid trade fair the DismantBot project which addresses robotisation [...]
Eurecat picks up prize at Advanced Manufacturing Awards for ultra-thin smart interface for the new generation of cars
The Eurecat technology centre has picked up the “Best Product Design and Development Innovation” prize at the Advanced Manufacturing [...]
New biodegradable bioplastics from agri-food waste for high added-value medical applications
The PHASAL project is fashioning new biodegradable bioplastics from agri-food waste for medical applications such as transdermal patches and [...]
Eurecat develops new type of ultra-thin smart interface for the new generation of cars
The Eurecat technology centre has developed a smart plastic surface just 3 millimetres thick which has an interface that [...]
Opening the door to high-volume production of printed electronic devices using plastronics technology
The MADRAS project, coordinated by the Eurecat technology centre, has spurred high-volume production of printed electronic devices embedded in plastic parts [...]
Eurecat trials generating more sustainable smart plastics with new features
The Eurecat technology centre has tested integrating electronics and plastic materials to craft new, more sustainable products with high added value, [...]
