EXHIBITIONA new framework agreement for the creation of the JRC MATT - Metal And Transformation Technologies was signed in April by Politecnico di Milano, Agrati S.p.A., Growermetal S.r.l., Mario Frigerio S.p.A. and O.R.I. Martin Acciaieria e Ferriera di Brescia S.p.A.. A joint research center is a partnership among companies and universities to carry out research on themes and issues of common interest and to share skills, tools, instruments and infrastructures and allow members to contribute to the further education of employees, students and future professionals.
The JRC MATT represents the perfect example of a strategic and cultural approach to innovation that leverages the open innovation process to generate value and increase the competitive advantage of the members. The JRC MATT is both a physical and virtual space for collaboration, planning and development of shared know-how to respond to an increasingly complex market with new methods, innovative processes and partnerships. It takes advantage of a collaborative approach that blends competence, technologies and other resources that are beyond the company’s traditional borders.
At the beginning, the research will be focused on new approaches to the industry’s quality standards, on innovative materials and big data analysis in mature market. Since the founding partners shares a common interest, they made the decision to invest in R&D activities to be competitive in the long run. This allows to take advantage of key assets for complex innovation processes that require technical skills, research labs, tools and instruments, high skilled employees, fundings and entrepreneurial vision. The former Mario Frigerio headquarters in Lecco will be the main office of the research center: after the renovation it will host the infrastructure for applied research. The University’s branch located in Lecco, not far from the center, will represent a direct connection with the Milan departments of the Polytechnic University and will provide other research facilities.
The main goal of the JRC MATT and its founding partners is the development of a research center that will become a benchmark for the scientific and industrial collaboration. This will allow to engage other subjects and increase the magnitude of the research. Indeed, other members could join the partners at a later stage.
Professor Marco Tarabini, the scientific director of the project, commented: “the project builds a relationship among companies that joined a challenging project, launched in a previously unexplored field”. He is confident that this will have a positive innovative impact.
Maurizio Zanforlin, R&D ORI Martin
“The automotive sector is a mature market and requires a much stronger effort in Research and Development. Therefore, open innovation and collaboration with other subject are essential tools, since they allow to develop innovative solution, research on emerging technologies, create a synergy and competitive advantage. For ORI Martin the JRC is a chance to grow and develop shared knowledge: the scientific competence of Polytechnic University of Milan, the experience of companies that are leaders in their fields are a guarantee of growth and success.”
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