Sustainable Advanced Materials Research Centre (SMARC), Brunel University (Brunel)

SMARC at Brunel brings together some 30 specialist scientific and technical staff as the focus of Brunel‟s activities in promoting and developing the effective use of virgin and waste resources as an important and exceptionally versatile, raw material. The R&D includes innovation, manufacturing, biological durability, structural design and performance. Our SMARC Laboratories have up-to-date technical facilities (£0.5 million invested over last three years) which are available to the project consortia to develop innovative materials and test construction materials at various development stages either for specific examinations or tests in accordance with relevant Euro standards, British standards and/or ASTM standards.

SMARC is led by Professor Mizi Fan (Head of Research, Civil Engineering Department and Director of SMARC), who will oversee overall progress and final approval of the outcomes to ensure the high standards of work achieved. Professor Fan has produced over 100 publications and patents on construction materials and has over 26 years relevant research experience and is involved with UK and CEN committees responsible for composites. He has experience of acting as Project Co-ordinator of several EC complex research projects, e.g. EC PERPAN and EC PANELS. 

Vannplastic Limited (Ecodek)

Vannplastic Ltd (Ecodek) is a UK-based designer and manufacturer who extrude wood polymer composite into specific products. Ecodek is the founder of wood plastic composites in UK and has accumulated immense experience in last 10 years, whether on the new product development, exploitation of technologies for WPC or production machineries modernisation. Ecodek‟s focus is to supply high quality wood polymer composites. It is UK's longest established and largest WPC profile manufacturer who is producing a wide range of WPC products. Their principle product is Ecodek® outdoor decking, which has been used in over 3000 projects throughout the UK. Ecodek has been commercially producing WPC products since 2002 in a range of profiles, colours and lengths. Company sources wood fibre from timber processors waste with FSC/PEFC certification. Thermoplastic part of the product (HDPE) is sourced mainly from disposed milk bottles from local authority kerbside collection. Ecodeck products are used in installations at Barratt Homes and London Olympic Stadium, Stratford.

Crumb Rubber Limited (CRL)

Crumb Rubber operates one of the highest quality rubber recycling operations in the world. Thanks to investment from The Una Group and Foresight Group. CRL‟s state-of-the-art factory opened for business in the summer of 2007. Verneos, a polymer compounding company, was launched on the same site 3 years later.
At CRL, our primary objective is to produce significant volumes of controlled high quality rubber crumb and powder. We believe that our plant offers the finest quality rubber powder in Europe. In a large number of tyre recycling plants, the fine rubber powder is simply a by-product of the shredding process and is therefore of variable quality.
Crumb Rubber's mission is to help increase profit margins at rubber and plastic manufacturing companies. We do this by substituting our high quality recycled rubber powder for a percentage of the virgin material content. Not only does this help boost profitability but in many cases our products also help to improve the mechanical performance and aesthetic qualities of the product. Customers can also support their sustainability objectives by using our products as they are derived from end of life vehicle tyres.

Company have developed considerable experience and IP / patents over the past 5 years in developing applications. Crumb Rubber is continually seeking new opportunities to push the boundaries of rubber powder use in both rubber and plastic applications. Crumb Rubber can provide technical experience.
The CRL plant is equipped to make high quality rubber powder and crumb. Our materials are specifically created as a credible and cost-effective alternative to virgin polymers and rubber. High polymer costs will continue to make the case for the use of fine rubber recyclate in a wide range of applications.

Consorzio TRE (Consorzio)

Consorzio TRE, Technology for Building Renovation, is a non-profit research consortium of public and private organizations, born in 1998 for the development of research activities on constructions. Headquarters and technical offices are based in Naples, Italy. Its public partners are:
ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Environment) and the University of Naples “Federico II” and the private ones include construction companies, engineering firms and research organizations.
Its action strategies are based on the definition and development of "Best Practices", derived by the design and the realization of technology demonstrators, intended as applications of innovative technologies and methodologies studied and developed during the research activities. The consortium has its own technical structure and also operates involving in its activities the staff of its associated companies and institutions in this way it has the ability to rapidly assemble an interdisciplinary team of experts to address a specific problem and has the skill to undertake complex multidisciplinary integrated projects, covering both technical aspects and project management issues.
Consorzio TRE is member of the European Construction Technology Platform (ECTP), and of the Italian Construction Technology Platform (PTIC).

Tire Industries S.A.U. (INSA)

INDUSTRIAS DEL NEUMATICO, S.A.U. (INSA) offers a total solutions in the world of tyres, to meet the needs of all our users, customers, partners and suppliers and we do all this with a total commitment to the society in which we live, and with continuous drive to provide the utmost quality.
Company rethreads tyres, offering ecological, safe and economic solutions, because we save energy and avoid pollution. Any tyre which does not meet our exhaustive analytical process and is thus deemed unsuitable for re-use, is ground down and converted once again to rubber granule raw material. This new material is then used once again in producing new tyres, as well as shoe soles, safety paving slabs for children‟s playgrounds, hoses and the like. Their tyres meet and surpass the strictest National and International quality and safety standards.
INSA is committed to environmental protection, therefore, is actively involved in the efficient management of used tires, contributing to environmental improvement through different types of actions. INSA is working on reusing tires in good condition, with particular emphasis on the oil and CO2 savings. INSA works on reduction of consumption of new tires, extending the life of those who are already used by eco-driving tips and responsible, which are directly related to safe driving. Company is involved in recycling by use of rubber on the pavement of roads, parks safety tiles, geriatric, civil decoration, shoes to technical parts of industry, etc.

Company has a strong position in markets as competitive as the USA, Canada, South and Central America, the Caribbean, Middle East, some Asian and African countries and above all, Europe.
INSA is continuously investing in R & D. It strives to improve production processes, design and integrated as a sustainable company, responsible to the environment. Major projects have focused on the different applications of tire recycling and treatment used, and the optimization of processes to reduce energy costs and emission production. Awards and certificates attest to the environmental commitment of the company.

Modifibres

Modified Cellulosic Fibres, S.L. (Modifibres) was founded in 2000 with the aim of exploiting industrial scientific and technical knowledge in the field of composite materials reinforced with natural fibres, RFC-WPC. Modifibres, a pioneer and leader in the production of Wood Polymer Composites (WPC) and Fibre Reinforced Plastics, providing the world with innovative and value added solutions for environment and sustainable development. Their products have the anti-slipperiness certificate with a GROUP 3 (maximum possible score) according to Europe standard: UNE ENV 12633:2003.
Company has a complete team specialised in the development of composite materials reinforced with lignocellulose fibres. Modifibres operates a huge lab for testing and characterisation of composite materials. Company has extensive experience in the development of special industrial products and using their recycled and recyclable materials. Company follows strict project development steps according to automotive industry standards. Modifibres has latest CAD 3D software and FEM calculation software, and is able to give a complete assistance in prototype phase and finding the best solution.

Universitat de Girona

The University of Girona is a public institution devoted to excellence in teaching and research and to participating in the progress and development of society through the creation, transmission, dissemination and criticism of knowledge related to the sciences, technology, the humanities, the social sciences and the arts. The University of Girona, deeply rooted in Catalonia and Catalan culture, is one of the primary economic and cultural motors of the region. At the same time, it pursues a vocation of universality and openness to all traditions and cultures. Nowadays, the University of Girona has about 13000 students and 1200 academic personal, shared among the studies of sciences, letter and polytechnical studies. The University of Girona is Heir to the so-Called General Studies Which Was Created in 1446 by Alphonse the Magnanimous, whoa Girona granted the privilege of awarding degrees in grammar, rhetoric, philosophy and theology, law and medicine. Was this academic initiative entrusted to the Church and municipal trustees, But classes did not officially begin Until 1572, in the building Known today as eagles, built to serve as the seat of the university. University studies expanded in scope and prestige UNTIL 1717, at Which time the university Was closed due to the New Plant Decree and the loss of Catalonia's Political Identity. During the 19th century, as a result of the Liberal Revolution, the city government Promoted the creation of the Free University of Girona (Free University of Girona) Which offers studies in Law and Pharmacy UNTIL 1874. The recent history of the University of Girona is That of the Normal School of Teachers (College Teaching) and, in a special way, The Initiatives Carried out in the 1960s to re-establish university studies in Girona. The University College of Girona and the Polytechnic School, Which depended respectively on the UAB and the UPC, weve created. Subsequently, the General Study Was restored to offer courses in the Humanities, in Business Studies, in the Social Sciences and in the Sciences. Finally, in 1991, a Decree of the Catalan Government created the new University of Girona, multidisciplinary reference point thanks to contributions from Rich Variety of university cultures.