The main objective of NEMARCO is to select the adequate chemical composition(s) and manufacturing process parameters for obtaining sealing rings of nickel self-fluxing alloys that can offer the required performance against high-temperature (HT) wear and overcome the health potential issue regarding wear particles Cobalt alloys (current solution) in cabin air. Two manufacturing routes: Horizontal Centrifugal Casting (CC) and Laser Metal Deposition (LMD), will be studied. The achievement of this objective is based on a well-structured approach that combines (i) a preliminary selection of NiCrSiFeB commercial compositions that can favour manufacturing processability while improving wear behaviour at HT supported by simulation of phase’s formation, segregation, precipitation and diffusion phenomena to predict microstructure formation, as well as process simulation to evaluate specific conditions for solidification. (ii) Robust manufacturing study of both processing routes supported by advanced data analytics of all process and product related variables, allowing to identify those parameters with the highest influence and thus, support in the definition of the optimal manufacturing conditions. (iii) Extensive tribological studies at high temperature. This will support for the selection of the best composition and manufacturing solution of NiCrSiFeB alloys as replacement of the actual Cobalt alloys to produce aeronautic parts. (iv) A rigorous LCA/LCC and a preliminary toxicity analysis, leading to a deeper knowledge of environmental performance and economic impact of the solution. The project will contribute on a reduction of fuel consumption, healthier cabin air and a reduction of costs for a more competitive EU aircraft industry. The implementation is carried out by a multidisciplinary consortium formed by experts in LMD (LORTEK), CC (AZTERLAN), HT behaviour of materials and wear particles characterization (ECL-LTDS and CIDETEC) and LCA/LCC and toxicity analysis (CTME).

One of the specific impacts of CBE JU programme is to replace at least 30% of fossil-based raw materials with bio-based and biodegradable ones by 2030, potential scope for bioplastics manufacturing processes is foreseen in the coming decade. The urgent need of increasing sustainability has also affected flame retardants. During the last decades, the number of studies based on developing bio-based flame retardants has increased considerably together with their incorporation in formulations based on bio-based polymers. However, the use of bio-based flame retardants with bio-based polymers has not been properly covered. The THERMOFIRE project aims to be a pioneer in this field, consequently, the flame retardancy of the 100% bio-based composites will be deeply developed and investigated. Fire retardancy is a key property of materials used for applications in the automotive, aerospace and textile sectors due to the need to minimize fire risk and meet safety requirements. In the THERMOFIRE project up to 100% bio-based polymers will be reinforced with different natural fibers (e.g., regenerated cellulose from wood and commercial flax) and bio-based flame retardants aiming at giving excellent flame retardancy to the final bio-based thermoplastic (TP) composites. The innovation of THERMOFIRE relies on the development of high-performance composites with a 20% reduction in weight and 15% in cost while maintaining the required levels of safety suitable for applications under stringent operating conditions. THERMOFIRE project represents a genuine opportunity to remove Europe’s dependence on imports of fossil-based polymers for stringent operating conditions in the aerospace, automotive and textile sectors.

In the light of the recently published ‘A European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy’ document, all stakeholders involved in the life cycle of plastic packaging are striving towards achieving a solution which could curb plastic pollution and its adverse impact on our lives and the environment. Consumers and retailers demand a packaging film which can be 100% recycled or can be completely biologically decomposed. Compostable plastics have the ability to break down, safely and relatively quickly, by biological means, into the raw materials of nature and disappear into the environment (soil). There is a need of a totally compostable wrapping packaging solution (film, label and tray) along with an easy-to-use (and maintain) cost effective packaging machines. 2. 3. In a response to this market need, the project consortium led by Fabbri Group is developing a platform technology ‘Nature Fresh’ which is a complete compostable film packaging solution targeted specifically at the fresh food packaging markets (meat, fish, dairy, fruit and vegetables). Nature Fresh delivers retailers. food processors, and the common public direct environmental benefits and addresses a current opportunity to reduce the use of plastic. At the same time the product will assist in meeting sustainability initiatives. Through this 30 months FTI project, the consortium aims to carry out activities such as commercial scale manufacturing of the compostable films, design and development of the automatic wrapping machines, design and development compostable label, gain regulatory approvals and conduct end-user trials to gain market acceptance and a swift market entry by Q2- 2022.

The need of using high performance lightweight materials is pushing the aerospace industry to incorporate aluminium alloys in many parts of the aircraft. But all aircraft components, and especially those of landing gears, need to be able to withstand friction and corrosive environments while continuing to operate at optimum levels. Nowadays most landing gear parts made of aluminium alloys are protected against corrosion by surface anodising and multilayer painting. The treatment is usually carried out on Cr(VI) based compounds. To date, there is not any Cr-free accepted protecting treatment for Al 7000 series alloys that fulfils the aeronautics requirements, so, it is necessary to develop an environmentally and Cr-free acceptable alternative process. The main objective of ECOLAND project is to face the research of a suitable REACH compliant anaphoretic electrocoating treatment (including both the optimal pretreatment method and anaphoretic electrocoating application conditions) that can replace the currently used anodising + painting treatment for protection of Al 7000 series alloys in aeronautic applications. This anaphoretic electrocoating will allow a reduction of emissions, saving of coat and improvement of corrosion protection. The following improvements will be aimed from the ECOLAND Cr-free project: • The lifetime of the anaphoretic electrocoating system shall be 25 % longer than the lifetime of traditional. • It is expected a minimum of around 30% cost and 45% energy consumption reduction in manufacturing compared to currently available systems. • Thanks to the new coating systems more complex geometry parts could be coated and so landing gears might be designed lighter than currently ones. • The production time to be shortened in a 55%. • A decrease of the risk of mechanical failure due to the reduction of the alloy exposure time to acids. • VOCs emissions will be reduced in a 50%.

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is key for improved design and production process of aviation parts. Applied to heat exchangers (HX), it could dramatically improve global eco‐efficiency through access to radically new designs and open horizons in terms of shape, weight, efficiency. Nevertheless, some questions need to be solved regarding capability of Additive Manufacturing (AM) to manufacture thin walls, small holes/gaps, low overhang angle, resulting surface roughness and mechanical strength. AManECO aims to enhance knowledge of metal AM and, specifically, the capability of SLM process to manufacture thin layers and wall thickness with adequate surface finish using AlSi7Mg0.6 and INCO 718 materials. In particular, to investigate aerothermal and mechanical performance of thin walls, to predict them in the design of AM-HX and consequently, be able to optimize the HX´s design process in an Eco-friendly way after knowing the limits of the metal AM technology. For this purpose, testing samples will be designed and manufactured to characterize in terms of surface properties, pressure resistance and gas tightness evaluation, equivalent stiffness and aerothermal properties. Besides, numerical studies based on FEM and CFD simulations will be done. Then, a representative design of HX based on the initial SOA of AM limitations will be optimized with the gained knowledge. These designs, before and after optimization, will be processed and characterized. Then, a Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) database will be created to evaluate the ECO potential of the innovative HX. AManECO will enable to: - Increase efficiency of HX up to 10%. - Reduce the overall of HX manufacturing costs by 30%. - Reduce material waste and scraps by 15 % per component. - Reduce time-to market up to 1 month. A multidisciplinary consortium, with experts in HX design and AM (TUHH, LORTEK, FIT), samples characterization (CIDETEC, MU-ENG), numerical simulation (EPSILON, TUHH), and life cycle assessment and eco-design (CTME), has been defined.