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
However, some interesting spearheads can be found in the industry including the collaboration between
the Estonian Nanotechnology Competence Centre and Haine Paelavabrik as well as Toom Tekstiil and
Esfil Tehno producing non-woven textiles. There is also potential support available from the researchers of
fundamental physics and chemistry in the country.
Implications for the industry for materials technology adaptation and development:
The industry is currently very much focused on clothing and home textiles, which are sectors with little
growth in the future
The size of Estonian textiles industry means that there would be potential in adopting more value
added technologies
There is currently little research and development work done at universities but especially companies
Collaboration between companies and universities should be heavily increased to transfer advanced
technologies and educated workforce to the industry
Future development of the national industry should start with key stakeholders in the area
TUT (Textile technology), TKTK (textile technology), ENCC, Esfil Tehno, Toom Tekstiil, other large textiles
companies
Case: Esfil Techno
Background
ESFIL TEHNO AS is a manufacturing company established in 1964 in Sillamäe, the northeastern part of
Estonia. The company employs currently approxiametely 80 employees, of which 10 are in head office and the
rest work production. The company has 10 production lines which each require 8 people working in 3 shifts,
and were already in use during the Soviet times. Exceptional in Estonia, the company has put up a production
plant based on the technology it has developed itself.
Esfil Techno develops and produces by electrospinning highly efficient non-woven polymer filtering materials
made of micro and nano fibres. These materials are used in their product which include
Products-respirators
Analytical tapes for radiation
Water Filters and separation materials for battaries
Air filtration
Historically, their most sold products have been respirators for nuclear power plants, as they were the main
producer in the Soviet Union. Still the biggest customers are in Russia and former Soviet countries. Five years
ago the company decided to expand to the European market. Largest competition includes companies like
Ahlström. Current success factor relies on the technology developed in-house and the experience of mass
production of ultrathin fibers. The materials and technology of the products are patented in national and
European patent boards.
Technology relies on electrospinning. Electrospinning is a method for preparation of ultrathin fibers, used
for e.g. textiles to produce seamless non-woven garments by integrating advanced manufacturing with fibre
electrospinning. This would introduce multi-functionality including flame, chemical, environmental protection.
The challenge is in difficulties of handling the barely visible fibres. Medicine is another very interesting application
area including e.g. tissue engineering and drug delivery. Currently the technology has mostly only been
applied on the laboratory scale.
R&D & University-Company collaboration
Esfil Techno is actively looking for new partners and ideas where to use their technology. Esfil Techno claims
to have the only mass-scale production plant of electrospinning in Europe and is thus currently seen as an
interesting partner for European projects. They are a partner in two researches for SMEs projects:
New concept and technology for high energy rock fall protection fences
Ambulatory magneto-enhancement of transdermal high yield silver therapy