Project cooperation in the field of innovative sustainable coatings

Łukasiewicz – Institute of Polymer Materials (Poland) seeks industrial and research partners from Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein for POLNORIS projects focused on sustainable paints and functional coatings. We are interested in partners developing bio-based, recycled or biotechnology-derived raw materials and additives for coating applications, as well as testing, validation and industrial implementation of coating technologies.

The Paint and Plastics Department of Łukasiewicz – Institute of Polymer Materials (Ł-IMPiB) develops, formulates and evaluates paints and organic coatings for industrial applications.

Our work includes development of functional coatings, evaluation of raw materials and validation of coating systems. We develop anticorrosive, antibacterial, antifungal, self-cleaning, high-IR-reflective, self-stratifying, intumescent fire-protection, electrically conductive and EMI-shielding coatings for construction, industry and defence.

We work on low-VOC technologies, including waterborne and UV-curable systems, and evaluate renewable, recycled and bio-based raw materials. We assess additives, binders, pigments and fillers, including materials obtained through chemical and biotechnological processes, and their influence on coating properties and durability.

We can incorporate partner-developed raw materials into coating formulations and evaluate their performance.

Capabilities:

• formulation and optimization of coatings for different substrates;

• preparation of pigmented and non-pigmented paints using industrially relevant dispersion technologies;

• laboratory-scale production (0.5–1 L) and semi-industrial production of liquid coatings (up to 150 L/month);

• optical and functional characterization (UV/VIS/NIR, FTIR, SEM);

• accelerated ageing and climatic testing (xenon, UV, humidity, freeze–thaw);

• corrosion testing (NSS salt spray chamber);

• fire testing (cone calorimetry, LOI);

• mechanical and protective testing (adhesion, hardness, flexibility, bending, impact, abrasion and tensile properties);

• assessment of antimicrobial, conductive and durability-related properties.

We compare developed formulations with commercial systems and support technology transfer and implementation.

Our team has participated in CORNET projects with Fraunhofer IPA (BioCoat, DuraCoat, ZincPower, EcoWaterZinc and ColourTune), 2 nd Swiss-Polish Programme and national programmes focused on coating technologies.

Advantages and Innovations

• Formulation and optimization of functional and sustainable coatings.

• Anticorrosive, antibacterial, self-cleaning, fire-protective, IR-reflective and EMI-shielding coatings.

• Evaluation of bio-based, recycled and biotechnology-derived raw materials.

• Integration of partner-developed materials into coating formulations.

• Comprehensive coating testing and characterization.

• Semi-industrial production for validation and demonstration.

• Experience in collaborative R&D and technology transfer.

Type of Partner Sought

Industrial and research partners from Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, including:

• companies developing raw materials, additives, binders, pigments and fillers for paints and coatings;

• biotechnology companies producing bio-based chemicals, polymers or functional ingredients of paints;

• research institutes and universities working on coatings chemistries, sustainable materials and green chemistry;

• industrial end-users interested in coating validation.

Project topics:

• bio-based and renewable coating materials;

• low-VOC coating technologies;

• biotechnology-derived ingredients for paints and coatings;

• functional coatings for construction, infrastructure, defence and transport;

• circular economy, recycling and material lifetime extension.

Expected Role of Ł-IMPiB

• implementation of innovative raw materials into coating formulations;

• formulation development and optimization;

• laboratory and semi-industrial production of coatings;

• performance, ageing, corrosion, fire and functional testing;

• benchmarking against commercial systems;

• support for scale-up, technology transfer and implementation.