Next1Koat approaches mid-term

The Next1Koat project - which is a 3 year project funded under the 'Research for SME-Association' Scheme of FP7 - is now approaching its midway point. The project partners will soon be in Brussels to meet with the European Commission to discuss the progress of our project against plan.

The Next1Koat project is developing a "novel high performance, water based "high solids" and bio-based industrial wood coating". The members of the project will be developing the one-component "high solids", water based coating, primarily based on seaweed polymers technology. Although the final application of the project is foreseen to benefit the wood-coating industry, the BPF's interests lie in the development of the seaweed-based chemistry/technology.

The project has set up a web-page for the latest news, which is available at www.next1koat.eu and we also have a LinkedIn group set up to exchange opinions on the subject of bio based polymers and the project. The LinkedIn Page can be viewed here.

The next phase of Next1Koat is to test water-based coatings samples, with the properties as follows: 'Acrylic coating system for outdoor or indoor use for applying by spray and/or pressurised booth/natural drying. If there are any member who wish to trial this process, please contact us directly at [email protected].