Feasibility study for an Estonian Materials Technology Programme

More documents

Recommendations

Info

45 Feasibility study for an Estonian Materials Technology Programme 2. Materials technology in Estonia Advanced materials, especially nanomaterials for the construction sector have been assessed in the EU FP7 ObservatoryNANO project 39,40 . From the materials technology point of view, construction materials is a very important sector as it has high importance for Europe providing infrastructure on which all sectors of the economy depend. Key drivers for adopting new technologies and new materials in the construction sector are enhancing sustainability and improving product properties e.g. in terms of service life, easier maintenance and cleaner production processes. However, the biggest barrier for adopting new technologies is their high price and also lack of large-volume availability. Today, approximately 1% of construction related products have nanotechnology enhanced features and therefore the significance of advanced materials technologies for construction is currently very low. The most relevant areas for utilising advanced materials in the construction sector include: Construction ceramics Self-cleaning, anti-bacterial, hygienic and scratch resistant features Cement E.g. stronger, more durable, self-healing, air purifying, fire resistant features Windows and glass Multifunctional windows, energy saving, easy cleaning, UV controlling and photovoltaic features Insulation materials High performance insulation Paint Rheology, settling, surface energy, corrosion resistance and mechanical properties improvement There is currently some production in all the above mentioned fields in Estonia but the share of advanced materials technologies is currently very low. The main player in the field of applying advanced materials for the construction sector is the Estonian Nanotechnology Competence Centre. The centre partners with companies like Andrese Klaas, Safran and Savekate for applying nanotechnology in the companies’ products: windows, clay based building materials and floor constructions, respectively. Nanotechnology research applicable to construction materials is conducted at the University of Tartu, Institute of Physics in areas of sol-gel technology, nanofilms and nanomaterials. These are, however, very far away from commercialisation and high volume production. Relevant research in the field is conducted at almost all universities in Estonia, most notably at Tallinn University of Technology in the faculties of mechanical engineering and civil engineering. One notable area is the use of composites as constructional materials. Most of the related research is, however, focused on the metals and machinery sector and applications related to construction industry have not been commercialised. Research in the area is also conducted at the Tallinn University of Applied Sciences in the fields of hardening and strengthening technologies and different kinds of coatings. Third notable area is the utilisation of oil shale waste for construction materials such as Portland cement. Estonia also has a relatively very strong chemicals industry and large university departments in chemistry, which can provide skilled workforce to companies. Technology transfer potential In conclusion, the following areas with potential regarding advanced materials in Estonia can be identified. Cement and concrete There are several large companies in Estonia producing cement and concrete. These include Kunda Nordic Tsement, Rudus, Tartu Maja Betoontooted and E-Betoonelement. Most important university research initiatives are related to the utilisation of oil shale waste as a constituent for cement production. In Europe, companies such as Italcementi, Heidelberg Cement, Lafarge, Clariant, Nanogate and BASF have already entered the market with either nanoenhanced cement or nanoadditives for cement / concrete products. Thus it is very difficult for Estonian companies to grasp a competitive advantage in the cement and concrete sector with regard to advanced materials. 39 ObservatoryNANO: Economical Assessment / Construction sector (2009) 40 ObservatoryNANO: Focus Report 2010: Adhesives and Sealants
46 Feasibility study for an Estonian Materials Technology Programme 2. Materials technology in Estonia Window and glass There are also several large window manufacturing companies in Estonia. These include Saint-Gobain Klaas, O-I Production and Andrese Grupi. High level physics research in nanomaterials, thin films and photovoltaics is to some extent utilisable by the glass industry. However, only Andrese Grupi is established with Estonian capital and therefore other companies will be unlikely to have high interest in conducting R&D work in Estonia. Andrese Klaas, a part of Andrese Grupi is currently collaborating with the Estonian Nanotechnology Competence Centre for developing functional coatings. In Europe, Pilkington and Saint Gobain are leading producers of multifunctional advanced glass both for construction sector and for automotive industry and thus entering the market will be difficult for Estonian companies which are very little on the global scale. Largest barrier for market entry of nanoenhanced glass is the price, which is approximately 30-80% higher than the traditional glass. Insulation materials Large insulation materials companies located in Estonia include Krimelte and Henkel Makroflex. Especially Krimelte, which as a company running on Estonian capital is very interesting for the future. More about these companies can be found in the company case study section. Globally, companies such as BASF, Aspen Aerogels and Cabot Corporation already have nanotechnology enabled products in the market. Paints and construction chemicals The largest Estonian paint production company is ES Sadolin, which has received an investment from Akzo Nobel Coatings. Based on the high national importance of chemical industry and chemistry research in Estonia, there are some R&D resources that could be utilised in the paints and construction chemicals sectors. However, there are already several companies with nanoenhanced paints on the market including Akzo Nobel, Jotun, Bioni CS and Yasar Paint and Chemicals. Summary and conclusions Construction materials is the most varied sector of all compared R&D work Very dependent of the raw material and application (minerals, oil shale, textiles, wood, chemicals) Dedicated research done mostly at TUT. Chemistry and physics also at TU, KBFI and ENCC. Construction materials is and will be an important sector for Estonia in the future The industry is by nature quite local 27% of construction materials go to exports and mostly to neighboring countries Several large companies with very advanced products are present in the global market and it will be difficult for Estonian companies to produce advanced materials solutions that would have a significant competitive advantage. However, some niche solutions could gain even a big market share. (Ref to e.g. Silvergreen in Finland) There are very interesting initiatives related to advanced materials related to construction materials ENCC, Andrese Klaasi, Clay Processing Services
Page 1 and 2: Innovation studies 15 2011 Feasibil
Page 3 and 4: Authors: Commissioned by Technology
Page 5 and 6: Table of Contents Executive summary
Page 7 and 8: List of Figures Figure 1 Characteri
Page 9 and 10: 8 Feasibility study for an Estonian
Page 11 and 12: 10 Feasibility study for an Estonia
Page 13 and 14: 12 1.1 Feasibility study for an Est
Page 45: 44 Feasibility study for an Estonia

Feasibility study for an Estonian Materials Technology Programme

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?