Partners in the InnoRenew project, the biggest European research project in Slovenia, achieved European funds from the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme and the European Regional Development Fund as well as co-financing from the Republic of Slovenia’s Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, to invest in their infrastructure and laboratory equipment. The third partner to successfully conclude their investments is the University of Maribor, who collaborates in the project on development of innovative renewable materials to be used in the engineering, wood and polymer industries.

On 2 March 2020, the University of Maribor’s largest faculty, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (FERI), officially opened the doors to its new laboratory housing state-of-the-art equipment purchased with InnoRenew project funds. As Dr Zdravko Kačič, University of Maribor rector, pointed out, the new laboratory represents an important milestone and opportunity for the University to be more competitive in international research and transfer knowledge to the scientific environment.

The state-of-the-art equipment enables development and design of functional porous materials and polymer composites based on bio-renewable raw materials. Meaning, researchers are focusing on developing new materials from which sustainable and green products can be created to meet the needs and requirements of consumers as well as national and European legislation in order to ensure energy efficiency and a minimum carbon footprint.

Dr Karin Stana Kleinschek, head of the new laboratory at the University of Maribor, presented cellulose as an example. Cellulose is mostly used in the paper and textile industry. Now, with their new equipment, it is possible to modify cellulose characteristics and change them so that cellulose can be used for packaging and as an isolation material.

More information about the opening event for the University of Maribor’s new laboratory can be found in the article FERI: Z novo opremo do zelenih materialov, published in the newspaper Večer. There is also a video prepared by colleagues from the University of Primorska summarizing the happenings at the event.