{"id":74084,"date":"2016-08-11T12:25:10","date_gmt":"2016-08-11T10:25:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eurecat.org\/?page_id=74084"},"modified":"2026-04-28T10:43:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T08:43:21","slug":"plastic-materials-composites","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/eurecat.org\/en\/field-of-knowledge\/plastic-materials-composites\/","title":{"rendered":"Plastic Materials & Composites"},"content":{"rendered":"

Industrial Area<\/p>\n

Plastic Materials & Composites<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

At Eurecat, we combine our expertise in thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers to develop advanced solutions in injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming, and compounding.<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n
\n
<\/h5>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Research Areas<\/h2>\n<\/div>

Thermoplastics<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>

Biocomposites<\/h3>\n<\/div>

Development of composites with bio-based resins and reinforcements that have a lower environmental impact than conventional materials.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>

Compounding<\/h3>\n<\/div>

Addition and compatibility of mixtures and composites using advanced techniques. Formulation of mixtures and dispersion method in the fuset.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>

Recycling<\/h3>\n<\/div>

Development of recycling methods with the aim of revaluing and reintroducing waste into the value chain.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>

Plastronics<\/h3>\n<\/div>

Functionalisation of plastic pieces through the integration of electronic elements with reduced weight and dimensions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>

Microinjection<\/h3>\n<\/div>

Injection of pieces weighing less than 1 gram using conventional injection or ultrasound. Includes proprietary micromould technology.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>

Nanotexturisation<\/h3>\n<\/div>

Surface functionalisation of plastic pieces to give them advanced properties such as hydrophobicity or improved wear resistance.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

Thermosetting<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>

Biocomposites<\/h3>\n<\/div>

Development of natural materials with vitreous matrix, which improve the recyclability and reparability of composites.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>

Advanced manufacturing<\/h3>\n<\/div>

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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>

Recovery \/ repairability<\/h3>\n<\/div>

Development of composite materials with thermoplastic matrices or glass matrices with repair, adhesion, reprocessability and recyclability capabilities.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>

Compositronics<\/h3>\n<\/div>

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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>

LSR<\/h3>\n<\/div>

Liquid silicone moulding for the manufacture of high-quality, high-volume parts. Research projects on nanotexturisation and the integration of electronics into silicone parts.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>

Structural elements<\/h3>\n<\/div>

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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Facilities<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>

Metallic and Ceramic Materials Laboratory<\/h3>\n<\/div>
More information<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>

Injection Laboratory<\/h3>\n<\/div>
More information<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>

Extrusion and compounding Laboratory<\/h3>\n<\/div>
More information<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>

Polymeric Materials Analysis and Characterisation Laboratory<\/h3>\n<\/div>
More information<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>

Plastronics Pilot Plant<\/h3>\n<\/div>
More information<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Representative Sectors<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>

Aerospace<\/h3>\n<\/div>
More information<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>

Automotive<\/h3>\n<\/div>
More information<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>

Health<\/h3>\n<\/div>
More information<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>

Textile<\/h3>\n<\/div>
More information<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>

Resources & Hydrogen<\/h3>\n<\/div>
More information<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>

Chemical<\/h3>\n<\/div>
More information<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>

Energy<\/h3>\n<\/div>
More information<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Contact<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"Enric<\/span><\/div>

Enric Fontcaba<\/h3>\n<\/div>

Director of the Plastics and Composites Unit<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>

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.<\/p>\n

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 Plastr\u00f2nica technology since 2017, participating in design, industrialisation and prototyping projects.<\/p>\n<\/div>