Product and Process Innovation

CVR in involved in the development and application of new materials and their impact in the eco-sustainability. The reseach activites in this area focus on:

• polymeric materials and polymer-nanocomposites - development of nanocomposites with specific performances (shockproof, gas barrier, anti-flames) for application in specific industrial areas (packaging, auto motive, etc.), study of their main physical and mechanical properties, analysis of their durability to the environmental impact;

• composite materials, such us Wood Plastic Composites WPC  - design and production of many kind of WPC products (boards for pediestran path and/or steps, boardwalks, piles, structural profiles such us soundproof panel, etc.), study of the main physical and mechanical characteristics of the product, analysis of their durability in natural environment.

The research activities in the new conception materials field is always related to innovative or traditional processes, depending on their production system transfer, and to evaluations about environmental impact of such materials and industrial processes (i.e. development of eco-compatible materials, evaluation of the technologies fot the reutilization of raw materials and energy from dead products rather than their dumping disposal, recycling and inertization tests, etc). In order to analyze the potential environment impact of products and industrial processess, CVR makes us of Life Cycle Assessment LCA method and eco-design.

Characterization laboratories offer chemical and spectroscopy investigations (i.e. UV/Vis, FTIR,ICP-OES, etc.), microscopy observation techniques (Atomic Force Microscopy AFM, Scanning Electron Microscopy SEM), thermal and electrochemical analysis on materials.

The acquired competences allow to provide techniocal advices on solutions of production problems (problem solving) and on evaluation and optimization of materials and their productive processes. this thanks also to an investigation of experimental activities and of the development of prototypes carried out by own consortium partners.