PolyCond Project conductive polymers

PolyCond

Creating a competitive edge for the European POLYmer processing industry by driving new added-value products with CONDucting polymers

The aim of the PolyCond project is to develop conductive plastic composites that are eco-friendly, cost effective & of high added value. This will be achieved through an ambitious multidisciplinary approach developing new, radically innovative, knowledge-based & sustainable products for protection against the effects of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) & Electrostatic Discharge (ESD).

Research will be based on the compounding of engineering polymers & Inherently Conductive Polymers (ICPs) with improved conductivity, or hybrid systems of ICPs with conductive nanotubes. Innovative eco-efficient processing, based on CO2 assisted technologies, specifically tailored to the new materials, will also be developed.

Current research on ICPs is not sufficient to enable adequate replacement of metal components in EMI shielding applications. PolyCond will dramatically extend the current performance & processability of ICPs & therefore enable significant replacement of metals in EMI shielding & ESD protection applications.

PolyCond is a transnational project, being part-financed by the European Commission under the Sixth Framework Programme as an Integrated Project dedicated to SMEs (Contract no. NMP2-CT-2005-515835). The project is designed to address the needs of European plastic converters, a traditional less RTD-intensive sector mainly composed of SMEs (>99%).

The main challenges are:

To enhance the conductivity of existing melt processable ICPs
To extend the processing window of existing melt processable ICPs
To improve the compatibility & dispersion of conductive nanofillers in complex matrices

PolyCond's approach will give:

Plastic compounds with embedded EMI shielding functionality
A weight reduction of at least 60%
A total cost reduction of shielding components approaching 90%
A reduction of production time by 80%, thus improving productivity

PolyCond will benefit plastic processors in the EU by developing new technologies & providing solutions to key long-term problems. A multidisciplinary & integrated approach includes technology transfer with training activities, thereby mobilising EU & Regional funding.

Start date: 01/02/2005
Completion date: 31/01/2009

For more information, please visit - www.polycond.eu