MATRES SCRL

Their core work

MATRES is an Italian SME cooperative based in Treviso that specializes in advanced materials processing — particularly coatings, nanomaterials, powder metallurgy, and metal alloy composites. They provide materials expertise as a third-party contributor to large EU research consortia, handling tasks such as thermal spraying, electrodeposition, casting, extrusion, and nanocomposite fabrication. Their work spans from protective coatings for industrial applications to lightweight metal components for automotive and aerospace, and increasingly, recycling and recovery of critical raw materials from end-of-life products.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2015–2018), MATRES focused heavily on nanomaterial processing, functional coatings, and nanocomposites for packaging, solar panels, and automotive parts — reflected in keywords like nanodeposition, electrospray, barrier packaging, and nanosafety. From 2019 onward, their work shifted decisively toward circular economy themes: recycling, casting, powder metallurgy, additive manufacturing, and recovery of precious metals and critical raw materials from end-of-life products. This evolution shows a clear pivot from "making new advanced materials" to "recovering and reprocessing existing materials sustainably."

MATRES is moving toward circular economy and critical raw materials recovery, making them increasingly relevant for green manufacturing and resource efficiency partnerships.

How they like to work

MATRES operates almost exclusively as a third-party contributor (17 of 18 projects), meaning they are typically subcontracted by a consortium partner rather than joining as a direct beneficiary. Despite this behind-the-scenes role, they have built an exceptionally wide network of 228 unique partners across 27 countries, indicating they are a trusted specialist called in repeatedly by different organizations. This pattern suggests they are easy to work with and deliver reliable technical contributions without seeking the administrative burden of full consortium membership.

With 228 unique consortium partners across 27 countries, MATRES has one of the broadest third-party networks in the H2020 materials space, connecting into diverse consortia led by universities, research institutes, and industrial players across Europe.

What sets them apart

MATRES occupies a rare niche as a materials-processing SME that operates almost entirely as a third-party expert — available for specialized tasks without the overhead of full consortium partnership. Their breadth across coatings, nanomaterials, powder metallurgy, casting, and recycling makes them a versatile "materials lab on call" for consortia that need hands-on fabrication and processing expertise. For consortium builders, MATRES offers low-friction access to Italian manufacturing capability with proven reliability across 18 projects and nearly a decade of EU collaboration.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PEACOC
  Their most recent and ambitious project (2021–2026), tackling precious metals recovery from automotive catalysts, WEEE, and photovoltaic panels — directly aligned with EU critical raw materials strategy.
• PROCETS
  Their only project as a direct participant (not third party), receiving EUR 275,188 for protective composite coatings via electrodeposition and thermal spraying — their core technical competence.
• FAST-SMART
  Bridges their nanomaterials expertise with energy harvesting applications, combining piezoelectric and thermoelectric materials with nanomanufacturing at scale.