Composite repairs service acquires EU funding
A Croatian composites repairs company has been awarded a €600,000 grant from the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 innovation and research programme to develop its repair technology.
as2con said its COMPA repair technology can offer a faster, cheaper and safer alternative to traditional cutting and welding of steel parts on board a ship.
The EU funding will pay for a two-year project called COMPA 2GO – Composite Repairs for Ships: Service Demonstration, Certification and Market Entry, which will help as2con demonstrate the quality of COMPA technology through laboratory and onboard tests, receive certificates from major maritime classification societies and finally, get the technology licensed.
Cost effective
as2con said that because COMPA repair uses carbon fibre reinforced plastic, it offers a cost and time effective alternative to traditional repair methods.
COMPA minimises vessel downtime and increases vessel safety by providing a fast and durable repair and eliminating the use of flame. It is applicable to geometrically complex structures and locations that are difficult to reach.
as2con was among 6% applicants to receive the funding and the first Croatian company to receive financing under the highly competitive Horizon 2020 SME Instrument Phase 2 programme. COMPA technology was selected for its innovative nature and the benefits it can bring to the maritime sector.
The company, which is headquartered in Rijeka Croatia, was founded in 2006 for research, development and application of innovative projects and technologies in the maritime industry.
By Anne-Marie Causer
