Sustainable Binder Systems for Low-Waste Manufacturing of Metal and Ceramic Components (PIM Technology)

Researchers at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid have developed proprietary binder systems and customized feedstocks for Powder Injection Moulding (PIM) to manufacture complex metal and ceramic components with high precision and minimal waste. These binder systems are not patented, allowing cost reduction and independence from commercial suppliers.

The innovation lies in the in-house design of optimized feedstocks, combining metallic or ceramic powders with polymer binders tailored to each material and moulding condition. The formulations enable full adaptability to multiple materials, from nano- to micrometre-scale powders, precise rheological control (viscosity and flow), and an optimized debinding stage that reduces defects. The process ensures near-total material use, lower energy consumption, and high reproducibility, making it suitable for scalable industrial production.

This technology is compatible with advanced manufacturing and can be integrated into sectors such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, energy or green mobility.

Collaboration sought: Companies manufacturing metal, ceramic or polymer components that wish to adopt or co-develop this technology for industrial implementation or joint scale-up.