Softslide project's main objective is to generate €60 M revenue, an EBIDTA of €19,9M and 350 new jobs with the commercialization of SoftSlide's technology estimated from a conservative sub-market share of 15% of the total elastomeric and plastic dynamic seals European market. SoftSlide technology will positively impact the seal industry by providing around €3315 M/year in energy savings for hydraulic and pneumatic end-users. Energy losses caused by friction within dynamic seals in rotating, moving and reciprocating devices (e.g. motors, valves, air compressors, accumulators...) represent up to 25% of total energy consumption. In addition, dynamic seals related friction, damages the seal surface overtime, thus reducing its lifetime. Although, it is of common knowledge that low-friction dynamic seals can be obtained by specifically designing and engraving micro-patterns on the seal contact area (area in contact with the moving mechanism), current seals' mass production processes do not incorporate this crucial step. To get a low-friction dynamic seal, the micro-pattern needs to be individually engraved, seal by seal at an independent later stage, once the seal has been produced. This greatly increases the cost and limits the productivity of low-friction dynamic seals being impossible for end-users to include these in their systems. SoftSlide project has created a mass production process that transfers micro-patterns during moulding stage to obtain low-friction, high performing dynamic seals. This process can be easily adopted by dynamic seals manufacturers seals with an insignificant cost increase.

Polymeric seals are essential components in almost every industrial and mechanical process enabling the effective containment and movement of liquids and gases under extremes of environment. Friction is intrinsically related to seal performance. High friction accelerates wear of the seal leading to leakage and/or premature failure, and increases the energy consumption of industrial processes. Surface (micro-) texturing is a proven technique for reducing friction across lubricated rigid materials such as metal and ceramic materials. Within recent years this technique has been applied and demonstrated for polymeric and elastomeric materials at laboratory level. The project will develop and demonstrate a novel methodology for the design and high volume manufacture of surface textured polymeric components tailored to the (friction) environment within which the component operates, achieving a friction reduction of >20% at a cost premium of <10%. The novel methodology combines: •advanced modelling software for the identification of surface texture patterns that lead to significant friction reduction for target rubber and plastic seals and applications •software for the design of mould tools that enable the reliable transfer of texture patterns onto the seal surface •novel automated laser system for the application of hierarchical laser induced micro- texture patterns to the mould tool surface •best practice for moulding and de-moulding using surface textured moulds •inline optical inspection for surface texture pattern quality control The project will establish three pilot lines for demonstration of: 1) mould tool design and manufacture; and the design and manufacture of 2) rotary seals for engine applications; and 3) reciprocating seals for industrial processes.

CO-VERSATILE aims at increasing the adaptation capacity, resilience and flexibility of the European manufacturing sector, focussing on vital medical supplies and equipment, to support Europe in improving its response and preparedness to deal with pandemics. CO-VERSATILE builds upon research and innovation industry-driven initiatives to deliver demonstrators of a flexible 48-hour industrial response capability at scale, to cope with sudden spikes in demand of strategic products, for requalification or release of Manufacturing Settings. The project foresees four key objectives: - Deliver a rapid response to the ongoing emergency situation in the re-orientation and repurposing of production capacities through repurposed MVP for 7 manufacturing settings at M2 of the project and improved results iteratively delivered every 3 months after that, allowing an increased production capacity of vital medical supplies and equipment. Manufacturing settings outside the project will start having access to the project results at M6 of the project through a digital platform - Set up an accessible and democratic Digital Technopole for the re-orientation and repurposing of production capacities to meet the urgent needs of our societies for vital medical supplies and equipment, consisting of 5 operational building blocks. - Validate the proper operation of the Digital Technopole on 7 selected Manufacturing Settings to demonstrate a flexible 48-hour industrial response capability at scale, to ramp up production in response to sudden future spikes in demand of strategic products (for instance medical equipment such as PPE, respirators), for requalification or release of production lines. - Ensure the sustainability of the Digital Technopole and the multiplication of the offered services to the European Manufacturing Industry to achieve wide replication.