Xenia Materials and CNR to develop smart composites

Xenia Materials and the Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB) of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR) have partnered to develop advanced composites for injection moulding and 3D printing. This collaboration aims to integrate industry and research efforts in creating smart materials that meet market demands for lightweight, high-performance, and innovative solutions.

Xenia Materials, known for its high-performance thermoplastic composites, will leverage its industrial experience alongside IPCB-CNR's scientific expertise. The research will focus on materials engineered for injection moulding and advanced manufacturing platforms, including pellet- and filament-based 3D printing.

The project will explore materials with tailored engineering properties and integrated smart functions, such as self-healing, energy absorption, electromagnetic interference shielding, and electrical conductivity. The use of advanced composite architectures reinforced with carbon fibres, nanofillers, and graphene will enhance mechanical performance and design flexibility, targeting applications in aerospace, defense, and energy sectors.

Fabio Azzolin, CEO of Xenia Materials, emphasizes the partnership's role in integrating scientific knowledge with industrial processing capabilities to develop innovative material solutions. Pietro Russo, a senior researcher at IPCB-CNR, highlights the strategic importance of this collaboration in accelerating technology transfer and the industrial application of research results.

The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between Xenia Materials and IPCB-CNR, focusing on materials research, experimental development, and the industrial application of new composite technologies.