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Thermoplastic composites as structural and lightweight materials contribute to the reduction of energy consumption for lightweight (electric) mobility and serve as corrosion-resistant heat exchanger plates for hydrogen systems. In recent years, SMEs in the programme area have developed several of these materials. However, large-scale production is lacking because it lacks the resources and the expertise to invest in scale-up facilities.New capabilities: Progress towards a large-scale product press pilot line. The previous year, the partners in this Lighthouse, <a href="https://www.cato-composites.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">CATO Composites</a> and <a href="https://thermoplasticcomposites.nl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">TPAC</a>, have made significant progress in the tendering process for a large-scale product press pilot line.Once installed at CATO Composites, this advanced pilot line will enable the production of thermoplastic composite panels&nbsp;with a higher quality, broader range of materials and shorter cycle times&nbsp;than ever before.From prototype to production: Opportunities for your companyWithin this lighthouse, there is dedicated space for professional co-development and testing of proof-of-concepts and/ or to scale-up series&nbsp;production of composite components. Therefore, we are now looking for SME partners to co-develop and validate these components with the aim of scaling up innovative solutions.These components are envisioned as smart alternatives to conventional plastic or metal parts and are ideal for companies aiming to:<ul style="list-style-type:circle;"><li>Significantly reduce part weight while maintaining strength and stiffness</li><li>Enhance impact resistance and product durability</li><li>Lower environmental impact through sustainable material use</li></ul>Typical product sizes range from 10 x 10 cm up to 1 x 2 meters.CATO Composites and TPAC can guide you through the entire development and scale-up process. Whether you're exploring lightweight structural parts, durable enclosures for automotive batteries, or sustainable product redesigns, Lighthouse 1 can help you co-engineer a solution tailored to your specific needs. We have extensive knowledge on:<ul style="list-style-type:disc;"><li>Materials</li><li>Part design</li><li>Manfuacturing process</li><li>Recycling</li></ul>Ready to explore composite innovation in practice?&nbsp;Join our workshop on May 22nd at Cato Composites in Rheden and discover directly what CATO composites and TPAC have to offer. Register now via the following link: <a href="https://www.mnm-interreg.eu/events/workshop-bio-based-materials-at-cato-composites-en">Workshop bio-based materials at CATO Composites</a>.&nbsp;

Next Thermoplastic Composite Manufacturing Solutions

OrganisationCATO Composites (CATO) is the project leader of this Lighthouse pilot-project. Saxion's TPAC contributes as project partner. This pilot-project is linked to the other two: the TPC production process to be developed will be used for battery housings (<a href="https://www.mnm-interreg.eu/themes/manufacturing-solutions-using-next-materials-in-advanced-battery-systems">Manufacturing Advanced Battery Systems</a>) and includes the use of 3D printed metal inserts (<a href="https://www.mnm-interreg.eu/themes/distributed-additive-manufacturing">Distributed Additive Manufacturing</a>).&nbsp; CATO and RTC, University of Duisburg Essen will be involved in the subject of cost-effective forming tools using 3D (metal) printing. The Zentrum fuer Brennstoffzellentechnik, ZBT participates in the topic of TPC Heat Exchanger Plates.