Go for it Lithoz!
Lithoz GmbH (Cycleco’s counterpart in the European industrial project Tomax), amongst the top 20 finalists of the European Commission’s Innovation Radar Prize! Innovation Radar is an initiative supported by Brussels which objective is to reward high potential companies as far as ICTs (information and communication technologies) are concerned. The prize brings forward promising innovations (as well as the authors behind them) stemming from FP7, CIP and Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation projects. This year, the final will take place in Budapest on November 9th 2017 (see prize categories/shortlisted candidates below).
- Best Early Stage Innovation: CEA LETI / Myforce / ONMI / RAGE Project
- Best Young SME: Gravity / LeanXcale / Lithoz / Venneos
- Excellent Science: KU Leuven / Max Planck MP / UCC / UWM
- Industrial & Enabling Tech: ATC / CATEC / PLUX / Power Ops
- Tech for Society: Amphiro / Isotrol / Mando Group / NetwellCASALA
During several months, European Commission protagonists reviewed close to 300 ICT-related projects, leading to a total of almost 500 innovations. Top innovations/innovators were selected by independent innovation experts, based on unbiased criteria discussed during project reviews. Freshly promoted projects will see themselves pushed forward by means of the digital single market web pages for enhanced web visibility as regards potential investors, users and buyers.
This year, Lithoz (Austrian-based company) is competing in the “Best young SME” category for its contribution within the H2020 Tomax (Toolless manufacturing of complex structures) project which involved several industrial, academic and business partners including Cycleco. Tomax allowed the development of a novel 3D printer concept combining high speed printing, high resolution and a large build envelope as well as a high-performance additive manufacturing silicon nitride-based material offering the same properties as for conventional processes. This achievement is unique, as Lithoz is the only company in the world delivering silicon nitride in the field of lithography-based additive manufacturing.
Lithoz GmbH is a spin-off company evolved from the Vienna Technical University-led FP7 PHOCAM (Photopolymer-based customized additive manufacturing technologies) project. The company now develops, manufactures and sells AM (Additive Manufacturing) systems and materials for the production of high-performance ceramics and has now flourished into the position of leader in this area. Lithoz takes care of the entire process chain, from material/process development to hardware/software development. Lithoz fuels strong business relationships and manages R&D projects all over the word. A closely-related series of seminars named “AM ceramics” was also launched to enlighten industry and academia stakeholders about additive manufacturing. The once two-employee-based company has now grown into a young SME (forty employees including three in the US). R&D is in the heart of the company which invests >50% of its turnover in the development of new materials and equipment. This level of innovation and market penetration would not have been possible without the support of the European Commission.