The institutes of the Łukasiewicz Research Network and the Qemetica Group, one of the leading chemical sector companies in Europe, have entered into a strategic partnership focused on the joint development of innovative chemical technologies. The cooperation is intended to support the energy transition of industry, increase process efficiency and build a circular economy, and it also includes dual-use technologies relevant to defence and state security. The agreement provides for the use of the capabilities of 22 Łukasiewicz institutes for Qemetica Group's global projects, including the development of new materials and process solutions that can be implemented in the group's production plants.
The partners will focus on developing material technologies, new production lines and energy-efficient solutions that facilitate industrial transformation. The cooperation covers the full chain of research and development activities, from conceptual and laboratory work, through pilot implementation and deployment of innovations in production, to the commercialisation of technologies. From the Qemetica Group's perspective, the key objective is to increase the efficiency of its plants and gradually adopt new, more sustainable materials and processes. The scope of joint activities relates in particular to high-temperature processes, energy-efficient production lines and solutions that can accelerate and facilitate the modernisation of industrial infrastructure.
Scope of cooperation and technological objectives
Under the partnership, the Łukasiewicz Research Network and Qemetica will carry out work on the development of material technologies, new production lines and solutions aimed at reducing energy consumption. The emphasis is on technologies that can support the energy transition and at the same time fit into the requirements of the circular economy, including more efficient use of raw materials and reduction of emissions and process waste.
The cooperation includes both strictly research and development projects and activities aimed at their rapid implementation under industrial conditions. The plan is to deploy the developed solutions in the Qemetica Group's plants and to commercialise them on the global markets in which the company operates. As a result, new technologies and materials are expected to reach a wide range of industrial customers.
A key area involves high-temperature processes, which are typical, among others, for Qemetica's traditional portfolio covering glass, silicates, silica and soda. Modernising these processes towards greater energy efficiency and lower environmental impact is one of the priorities of the partnership. At the same time, solutions for new market segments are to be designed in response to emerging technology gaps.
Qemetica Future as a driver of innovation
An important role in implementing the partnership is played by Qemetica Future, a new business unit of the Qemetica Group responsible for innovation development. Its task is to identify, develop and commercialise technologies and business models that go beyond the company's traditional portfolio, which includes, among others, glass, silicates, silica and soda. Qemetica Future's activities are aimed at building new market segments and responding to technological gaps emerging in the chemical industry environment.
"At Qemetica, we want to develop and scale up new technologies and to achieve this we need access to expert knowledge, often concerning very niche solutions. The partnership and the combination of our industrial experience and business competencies with the expertise and resources of the Łukasiewicz Network will not only allow us to conduct joint research and share knowledge, but also to implement projects aimed at commercialising innovative materials and other novel ideas," explains Marek Piecyk, director of Qemetica Future.
The Qemetica Future team works with R&D centres, research institutes, start-ups and investment funds. It analyses technology trends, companies and solutions that can become a stimulus for the further development of the Group. The partnership with the Łukasiewicz Network expands this ecosystem with the resources of 22 institutes, enabling larger-scale projects and a faster transition from the research phase to pilot and implementation stages.
The role of the Łukasiewicz Network in industrial projects
The Łukasiewicz Research Network focuses on research and development projects that can be used in the economy and deliver measurable benefits for industrial companies. As the management of the Łukasiewicz Centre emphasises, the goal is to increase the efficiency of enterprises through technology, which directly translates into their financial performance.
"Our Network is mainly interested in research and development projects that can be applied in the economy. Łukasiewicz helps companies increase efficiency through technology, which has a direct impact on their margins," says Dr Hubert Cichocki, president of the Łukasiewicz Centre. "Thanks to the strategic partnership, 22 institutes in the Network can offer the Qemetica Group not only ready-made technologies, but also plan development research with specific production needs in mind," he adds.
In the case of cooperation with Qemetica, this means the ability to tailor research directions to the requirements of specific production plants and the Group's investment plans. This scope covers both solutions that improve energy efficiency and technologies that enhance process safety and product quality. The results of the work are intended to support both Qemetica's core business and new ventures developed within Qemetica Future.
Strategic directions and dual-use technologies
The partnership with the Qemetica Group is in line with the strategic directions of the Łukasiewicz Research Network defined in 2024. These include chemistry for industry, the energy transition, defence and state security, and the circular economy. The agreement addresses all these areas, combining work on new chemical technologies with the needs of industry, the energy sector and the security system.
The cooperation also includes dual-use solutions that can be applied both in the civilian sector and in the field of defence. This concerns, among other things, material and process technologies that increase the resilience and reliability of infrastructure and can be used in specialised applications while meeting state security requirements.
The focus on the circular economy means that projects implemented under the partnership are intended to promote more efficient use of raw materials and to reduce the negative environmental impact of chemical processes. This applies both to the modernisation of existing process lines and to the design of new solutions in line with the principles of sustainable development.
