Project Summary: The FreeMe project aims to develop an innovative, non-toxic technology for metal plating on plastic surfaces. The current Plating on Plastics (PoP) technology is a process that poses a danger to human health and the environment, and produces low-quality coatings. FreeMe addresses the challenges of electroplating for achieving metal appearance on plastic surfaces without using hexavalent chromium and palladium, which are hazardous substances. The project will develop a safe and environmentally friendly process for metallization of polymer (plastic or resin) surfaces, resulting in high-quality and high-performance coatings. The project's technological innovations involve developing and using composite resins with appropriate nickel-based precursors, developing and using appropriate reducing agents, and an electro-catalytic plating process for surface coating.
Expected Scientific Output/Outcome from the Project: The FreeMe project aims to develop a safer, more environmentally friendly and higher quality process for metal plating on plastic surfaces. This technology will provide a more effective solution for plastic coatings that are lighter, cheaper, and more corrosion-resistant, especially in the home appliances, automotive, and aerospace industries. The scientific outputs obtained from the project will include the synthesis of new nickel-based precursor materials, core formation mechanisms, and studies on the electro-catalytic plating process. The project also plans to participate in 20 international events each year and hold a FreeMe conference at the end of the project.
Target Group of the Project:The target audience of the FreeMe project is industrial companies dealing with plastic surface coating who aim to achieve safer, more environmentally friendly, and higher quality coatings. It is expected that this project will be particularly useful for companies in the automotive, aerospace, and white goods industries. Additionally, the eco-friendliness of this technology could also include anyone who is generally sensitive to environmental issues as part of its target audience. This project aims to develop metalization processes that are less environmentally impactful, safer, and more sustainable. Moreover, the project will assist businesses in the industrial sector in achieving their sustainability goals by providing economic advantages while reducing environmental impacts.
Scientific/Social/Economic Innovative Contribution: The FreeMe project aims to develop a new technology in order to eliminate the environmental and occupational health and safety problems that exist in traditional plastic coating technologies. The innovative solution developed for the metalization of polymeric surfaces has advantages in terms of scientific, social, and economic aspects. The implementation of this technology can lead to a more sustainable service sector and provide a safer working environment.
Contribution to the Development of Professional Skills: The FreeMe project, which provides opportunities for innovative technologies and applications for the metalization of polymeric surfaces, will enable the development of technical skills related to coating methods, materials, and occupational safety in coating on various polymer types for workers and young researchers through the participation in the project team and the planned workshops under the scope of dissemination activities.
Contribution to the Development of Human Resources: The FreeMe project aims to create new business opportunities with its approach that strengthens inter-sectoral collaboration throughout the value chain and enables SMEs to transform their activities and business models.
Information about other partners of the project: The FreeMe project has a consortium structure consisting of a total of 12 stakeholders from 5 countries, including 6 SMEs, 3 large enterprises, and 3 universities.
