Łukasiewicz – Institute of Polymer Materials (Ł-IMPiB)
Łukasiewicz – Institute of Polymer Materials (Ł-IMPiB) is a research institute focused on applied R&D in polymers, coatings, composites and elastomer technologies. Operating in Toruń, Gliwice and Piastów, we combine materials engineering, formulation development, testing and industrial implementation.
Our activities cover the development, modification and characterization of polymer materials based on conventional, high-performance and biodegradable polymers. We develop advanced coating systems, composites and elastomer materials tailored to industrial needs.
Paints, Coatings and Polymer Composites
In the field of paints, coatings and composites, we develop and evaluate advanced coating systems and polymer materials for industrial applications. Our activities include formulation development, assessment of innovative raw materials, laboratory and pilot-scale manufacturing, and validation under real operating conditions.
We develop functional coatings with enhanced performance, including high-IR-reflective, anticorrosive, antibacterial, antimicrobial, self-cleaning, self-stratifying, antistatic, intumescent fireproof and EMI-shielding coatings for industrial, construction, transport and defence applications. We also work on barrier materials, flame-retardant and thermally stable composites, and multifunctional coating systems with advanced protective and optical properties.
A major focus of our research is sustainability. We develop low-VOC technologies, including waterborne and UV-curable systems, evaluate renewable, bio-based and recycled raw materials, and support design-for-recycling and material lifetime-extension approaches. We assess innovative additives such as nanoparticles, functional fillers and bio-derived ingredients supplied by industrial and research partners, including materials obtained through chemical and biotechnological processes, evaluating their effectiveness in coating formulations and their impact on functional, protective and durability-related properties.
Our laboratories enable formulation, testing and scale-up of paints and coatings from laboratory to semi-industrial scale (up to approximately 150 litres/month). We evaluate application, mechanical, protective, thermal, optical, conductive, antimicrobial and ageing properties, including long-term exposure to humidity, UV radiation, temperature fluctuations and corrosive environments.
We can integrate innovative materials developed by industrial or research partners into coating formulations, assess their performance in target applications and benchmark them against commercial solutions. We are particularly interested in interdisciplinary projects combining coatings technologies with advanced materials, biotechnology, circular economy solutions, digital technologies and AI-supported materials development.
Elastomers and Advanced Polymer Materials
Our research also covers elastomers and polymer composites with enhanced functional properties, including ageing resistance, fuel and chemical resistance, flame retardancy, abrasion resistance and antimicrobial performance. We work on advanced elastomer composites, graphene-based materials, barrier materials and applications for transportation, infrastructure and industrial sectors.
We are involved in circular economy solutions, including recycling of plastics and rubber, tyre pyrolysis, and the utilisation of recovered materials in polymers, coatings and asphalt technologies. Additional expertise includes surface engineering, material modification and energy-efficient processing technologies.
Areas of Interest for Collaboration
We are interested in collaborative projects addressing:
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sustainable, circular and bio-based materials aligned with Green Deal objectives;
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advanced coatings, composites and polymer technologies for construction, agriculture, defence, electromobility and smart-city applications;
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reduction of environmental impact and carbon footprint through renewable and recycled raw materials;
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recycling technologies, design-for-recycling and material lifetime extension;
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implementation and evaluation of innovative materials originating from chemical, biotechnological and hybrid production routes;
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AI-supported materials design, formulation development and industrial process optimisation;
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advanced polymer and composite technologies for medical, packaging, infrastructure and industrial applications.
Through interdisciplinary expertise, pilot-scale capabilities and industrial implementation experience, Łukasiewicz – Institute of Polymer Materials supports the development of innovative, sustainable and market-oriented technologies from concept to real-world application.