ML ENGRAVING SRL

Their core work

ML Engraving is an Italian SME specializing in industrial laser engraving and 3D surface texturing for manufacturing applications. Their core technology enables precise surface modification of moulds and industrial components to control friction, durability, and permeability properties. They develop and commercialize laser machines for mass production texturing processes, and have expanded into nano-enabled surface technologies and adaptive manufacturing for crisis response (e.g., medical supply production during pandemics).

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

ML Engraving began as a focused laser engraving machine developer, using SME Instrument funding (2014-2015) to validate and then scale their INFINITE laser texturing platform through Phase 1 and Phase 2. From 2017 onward, they shifted from machine development to surface engineering applications — optimizing friction in moulds (MouldTex, SOFTSLIDE) and joining larger consortia. By 2020, they had diversified into nano-surface technologies (NewSkin) and pandemic-driven adaptive manufacturing (CO-VERSATILE), moving from a single-product company toward a broader surface technology specialist.

ML Engraving is transitioning from a laser machine manufacturer to a surface technology integrator, increasingly participating in large-scale innovation ecosystems rather than solo product development.

How they like to work

ML Engraving frequently leads projects — coordinating 4 of their 7 H2020 projects, including all SME Instrument phases. Their coordinator projects tend to be smaller, focused efforts around their own technology, while as a participant they join larger Innovation Action consortia (MouldTex, NewSkin, CO-VERSATILE). With 67 unique partners across 17 countries, they maintain a broad and diverse network rather than relying on repeat collaborators, suggesting openness to new partnerships.

ML Engraving has collaborated with 67 unique partners across 17 countries, an unusually wide network for an SME of their size. Their partnerships span Western and Southern Europe, with connections into manufacturing, materials science, and healthcare sectors through their more recent projects.

What sets them apart

ML Engraving occupies a rare niche: they combine proprietary laser texturing hardware with deep expertise in surface engineering for industrial moulds and components. Unlike research institutes working on surface science, they bring a production-ready, commercially focused perspective — their SME Instrument track record shows they moved from feasibility to market across multiple funding phases. Their ability to pivot manufacturing capabilities (as shown in CO-VERSATILE) makes them a versatile industrial partner for projects requiring both surface technology expertise and real production capacity.

Highlights from their portfolio

• INFINITE
  Flagship product development spanning three H2020 grants (SME-1, SME-2, and another SME-1), showing a complete innovation journey from feasibility study to commercialization of their laser texturing machine.
• MouldTex
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 731,425) and their first major participant role, applying their texturing expertise to friction optimization in seals — a high-value industrial application.
• CO-VERSATILE
  Demonstrated manufacturing agility by contributing to pandemic rapid response for medical supply production, showing their technology's adaptability beyond traditional engraving.