iRAP Institute of Applied Plastics Research

From materials to polymer applications

The iRAP institute addresses scientific and technical challenges in the field of plastics processing. With advanced expertise in materials, application development and product lifecycle assessment, iRAP is able to deliver efficient solutions to specific industry demands.

High-level expertise in plastics processing

iRAP addresses complex technological challenges in plastics processing to develop solutions for the packaging, mechatronics, medical, automotive industries.

Specialized training

The iRAP institute offers a range of training courses on specific topics in plastics processing.

Collaboration opportunities

iRAP works closely with both industrial and academic partners in the form of application-focused joint projects or through our offer of R&D services.

Research focus areas

The iRAP institute has advanced expertise in four strategic research areas.

Plastic and ceramic injection molding (CIM)

Design and development of injected plastic and ceramic products and their molds
Rheological and mechanical simulation
Prototyping on injection machines
CIM sintering and debinding
Injection of polymer bonded magnets

Extrusion and compounding processes, material characterization, sustainability

Development of high value compounds
Piloting and scaling up of extrusion and compounding processes
Characterization and testing of materials in the laboratory
Cradle-2-Cradle concepts and implementation

Surface technologies and nanotechnologies

Surface functionalization with atmospheric plasma
Coatings
Nanomechanical analysis
Surface texturing and tribology in the field of plastics processing

Composite and lightweight structure design

Design and development of products for lightweight structures
Industrialization and recycling of composites based on continuous fibers
Mechanical simulation
Prototyping

Our services

iRAP provides a range of R&D services in the field of plastics processing.

Collaboration

Industry partners who choose to work with iRAP can benefit from project co-funding by the Swiss Confederation (through Innosuisse, the Swiss Innovation Agency), the Cantons (as part of its New Regional Policy, “NPR”), and the European Union R&D Framework Program. iRAP also offers collaboration in the form of services (mandate).

Depending on the nature of the project, iRAP has the capacity to combined knowledge and expertise from the other HEIA-FR institutes and competence centers. In particular with PICC (bioplastics and circular economy), ChemTech (polymer chemistry), iPrint (digital printing) or iCoSys (data analytics). That enables iRAP to offer complete and pragmatic industrial solutions.