Feasibility study for an Estonian Materials Technology Programme

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Feasibility study for an Estonian Materials Technology Programme
2. Materials technology in Estonia
Collaboration and future needs
Silmet has been collaborating actively with universities in training new employees qualified to work for the
company as well as running special projects in e.g. improving Silmet’s production processes. In long term,
the company hopes that the government maintains the level of support from EAS and universities and sees
Estonian nanotechnology research as a key to help companies succeed in future.
More information: Jane Paju, R&D manager. Jane@silmet.ee. http://www.silmet.ee/
Case: Krimelte OÜ
Background
Krimelte OÜ is a production company, based on Estonian
capital, that is specialized in joint sealants and insulating
foams. The company was founded in 1994 and the production
in Estonia started in 1998. The company employs
approximately 160 employees, of whom about 2/3 are in
production. 95% of revenues come from export, of which
75% goes to Russia.
Products and customers: About half of Krimelte’s output is sold under the trademarks of their business partners.
Krimelte offers full service – from product development to logistics solutions using their laboratory facilities,
a highly qualified product development team and international business networks. Their main products
include gun foams, manual adapter foams, cleaners, adhesives and self-adhesive expanding tapes.
Their competitive advantage includes the rough climatic conditions of Estonia, due to which they have
set especially high quality standards to the products. In addition, having been previously a retail company,
they have a better understanding of their customers’ needs and are able to deliver more quickly than their
competitors. They also get information about market needs from their retailers and partners. Krimelte’s closest
competitor is the Estonian Henkel Makroflex. Henkel is the fourth largest in the world with Krimelte in fifth
place. Other competitors include Den Braven in the Netherlands and Selena in Poland.
R&D
In addition to chemistry R&D projects, the company also develops the containers where their products are
stored. One of their best R&D projects is the Golden Gun. Previously there were only two types of tools for
applying foam: a straw or a metal gun. The straw foam is not reusable and the metal Gun cost 2-3 times the
amount of the whole bottle. Easygun from Krimelte is in between these two, being a combination of cheap
and reusable.
The 10 person R&D department at Krimelte works also with Quality checking and design of product labels as
these require a lot of expertise. Krimelte has plans to hire a person to do technology scouting.
University-Company collaboration & Materials technology
Krimelte has a joint project with Tartu University, Professor Uno Maeorg. The collaboration started based on
the needs of Krimelte, but the university has provided very important insight into the process. The project is
aimed to develop a new approach to isocyanate free construction foam; previous approaches cannot be used
as they are heavily patented.
Lessons learned/key success factors from the interview
Difficult to find skilled workforce for the industry in Estonia. It is
also difficult to find highly educated R&D personnel with a lot
of practical experience
Currently, there is not enough cooperation between companies
and universities. Universities should more actively contact companies.
Krimelte would be interested in increasing cooperation.
Contact and more information: Lauri Leitorp, Head of R&D, http://www.krimelte.ee/en