FlexFunction2Sustain
H2020-DT-NMBP-03-2019
“Open Innovation Ecosystem for Sustainable Nano-functionalized
Flexible Plastic and Paper Surfaces and Membranes”
FlexFunction2Sustain will create a sustainable Open Innovation Ecosystem by achieving these specific
objectives:
1. Set-up the FlexFunction2Sustain OITB and associated SEP to make available connected public and
private owned facilities and associated services related to nano-functionalised plastic and paper
surfaces and membranes to clients in all 28 EU Countries
2. Upgrade the (existing) “lab-to-fab” (TRL4 ➔ TRL7) facilities and connect them to a unique OITB to
increase productivity, reliability, and process parameters by 20-50% for the development, upscaling and
pilot production of nano-functionalised plastic and paper surfaces and membranes gathering 4 facility
clusters:
• Vacuum thin film deposition and plasma surface treatment (sputtering, evaporation, Plasma Enhanced
Chemical Vapour Deposition (PECVD) and Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD));
• Atmospheric pressure printing, coating, and lamination (e.g. slot die coating, gravure coating,
calendaring)
• Surface nano- and micro patterning and structuring (e.g. nano-imprint lithography or plasma etching)
• Plastic and paper electronics processing based on adapted printing and coating techniques
3. Develop a holistic approach towards sustainable products taking into consideration the Circular
Economy principles, characterisation, testing and verification, as well as standards and regulation
aspects:
• Development of a “circularity-by-design” service for the eco-design of materials and products towards
biodegradability, recyclability and life cycle assessment supported by 2 facility clusters:
o upgraded pilot facilities for compounding and testing of formulations for recyclable, bio-based and
bio-degradable materials and products
o upgraded pilot facilities for demonstrating product recyclability, compostability and/or
biodegradability
• Establish facilities and procedures for at least 25% faster material testing, verification and
precertification with 3 facility clusters for:
o physicochemical and functional performance assessment of the materials and products
o integration and performance verification in application
o safety and regulatory compliance (in particular food contact compliance and bio-compatibility)
4. Validate and demonstrate the performance of novel nano-functionalised plastic, paper and
membrane surfacesand processes in 4 relevant industrial environments through 6 industrial use cases:
• (1-3) Sustainable packaging offering good gas barrier properties: (1) paper based, (2) fully recyclable,
(3)
marine degradable;
• (4) bio-degradable optical films for security labels;
• (5) bio-functional permeability membrane for water filters in a clinic environment;
• (6) scratch resistance surfaces with integrated printed electronics in automotive;
5. Create a strong, holistic service portfolio along the innovation chain at fair and reasonable conditions
based on:
• technical services (material and process design and modelling, development, upscaling, pilot
production, characterisation, testing/ verification, assessment of compliance with Circular Economy
principles and withstandards and regulations (in particular with regard to health and safety)
• business services (access to networks, investors, research and innovation funds, markets, value chains,
and clients; services on business training coaching; due diligence verification; IP landscaping, screening
and rating; innovation potential assessment of materials and products, support in standardisation).
6. Demonstrate FlexFunction2Sustain Services in at least 20 pre-commercial business cases (Pilot Cases)
and attract at least 30 SME pilot clients from at least 10 different EU countries as early adopters until
the end of the funded project period. Establish and execute a sustainable business plan that enables the
OITB to generate an annual turnover of more than 20 Mio Euro per year within the first 5 years after
end of the funded period.
OET’s role in the project
Within WP1, OET will be involved in identification of technical and regulatory specifications and in
setting of the OITB. In WP2 and WP3, OET will contribute to the upgraded of Lab-2-Fab Facilities for
nano-functionalisation plastic and paper surfaces and membranes and facilities for Materials and
Circular Economy of Plastics. OET will also highly involved in WP5 dealing with implementation of
industrial use cases. OET will also participate in WP6 dealing with setting up of OITB Operation, Sales
and Customer Relations. In addition, OET will participate in WP7 dedicated to the selection of pilot cases
and WP8 on dissemination and outreach.
