Imagine you could etch invisible micro-patterns onto metal, plastic, or ceramic surfaces — patterns so fine they make the surface naturally water-repellent, non-stick, or low-friction, without any chemical coating. That's what PROMETHEUS built: a laser system powerful enough to texture surfaces at up to 5 square metres per minute, fast enough for a real production line. Think of it like engraving a Teflon-like effect directly into the material itself, so it never peels or wears off. Four major manufacturers — including Fiat Chrysler and Johnson & Johnson — tested the results against their current production methods.
By the numbers
5 m²/min
Surface texturing speed achieved by the demonstrator
1 µm
Minimum feature resolution for surface patterns
>1 kW
Average laser power of the developed system
>500 Hz
Pulse repetition rate
EUR 6,356,235
Total EU contribution to the project
18
Partners in the consortium across 9 countries
4
Multinational end-user companies that tested the technology
TRL 4 → TRL 6
Technology readiness advancement during the project
The business problem
What needed solving
Manufacturers across automotive, consumer goods, and appliances spend heavily on chemical coatings and surface treatments that degrade, peel, or wear off — creating recurring costs, quality complaints, and environmental concerns. Current laser texturing technology exists but is far too slow for production lines, stuck at lab-scale throughput that makes it economically unviable for mass manufacturing. Companies need a way to permanently build non-stick, waterproof, or low-friction properties into their products without coatings, at speeds that match real factory output.
The solution
What was built
PROMETHEUS delivered an integrated ultra-short pulse laser processing demonstrator capable of surface texturing at up to 5 m²/min with 1 µm resolution — including a multi-kW laser source, a high peak power beam delivery fibre, and in-process inspection and control. The system was validated by 4 multinational end-users (Fiat Chrysler, Johnson & Johnson, Arcelik, Maier) against current industrial production methods for non-stick, hydrophobic, oleophobic, and low-friction surface properties on metals, polymers, and ceramics.
Audience
Who needs this
Automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers looking to replace friction-reducing coatings on engine or body partsWhite goods manufacturers wanting permanent non-stick or hydrophobic properties on appliance surfacesConsumer goods and packaging companies needing chemical-free anti-fouling or easy-clean production toolingIndustrial laser system integrators seeking next-generation high-throughput surface processing technologyMold and tooling manufacturers serving injection molding or stamping industries
Business applications
Who can put this to work
Automotive manufacturing
enterprise
Target: Automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers producing engine, body or interior components
If you are an automotive manufacturer dealing with wear, friction, or the cost of chemical surface coatings — this project developed a laser system that textures metal and polymer surfaces at up to 5 m²/min with features as small as 1 µm. Fiat Chrysler Automobile group was a direct end-user partner, testing the technology against current production for low-wear and low-friction applications. This could replace coating processes that degrade over time with permanent surface properties built into the part itself.
Home appliances and white goods
enterprise
Target: White goods manufacturers producing cooking, washing or refrigeration equipment
If you are a white goods manufacturer struggling with non-stick coatings that chip off or hydrophobic treatments that fade — this project built a laser demonstrator that creates permanent non-stick and water-repellent properties directly on the material. Arcelik, one of Europe's largest appliance makers, was an end-user partner validating these results. The system processes metals, polymers and ceramics, covering the range of materials used in household appliances.
Consumer packaged goods and packaging
enterprise
Target: FMCG companies and packaging manufacturers needing anti-contamination or easy-clean surfaces
If you are a consumer goods or packaging company spending on anti-fouling coatings or dealing with product residue on production lines — this project delivered laser-textured surfaces with oleophobic (oil-repellent) and hydrophobic properties at industrial throughput. Johnson & Johnson participated as an end-user, testing against current processes. The 1 µm resolution means precise functional patterns on packaging molds or production tooling without chemicals.
Frequently asked
Quick answers
What would this technology cost to implement in our production line?+
The project does not publish per-unit or licensing costs. The total EU investment was EUR 6,356,235 across 18 partners over 4.5 years, which gives a sense of the R&D scale. Based on available project data, the system targets high-throughput industrial use, so cost-effectiveness improves with volume — but you would need to negotiate directly with the technology providers in the consortium.
Can this actually run at industrial production speeds?+
Yes — the PROMETHEUS demonstrator was designed to deliver surface texturing at up to 5 m²/min, which is a production-relevant speed. The laser operates at average power above 1 kW with pulse repetition rates above 500 Hz. Four multinational end-users (Fiat Chrysler, Johnson & Johnson, Arcelik, Maier) tested the system outputs against their current industrial processes.
Who owns the intellectual property and how can we license it?+
IP is distributed across the 18-partner consortium, coordinated by the European Federation for Welding, Joining and Cutting (Belgium). With 11 industry partners and 7 SMEs in the consortium, licensing arrangements would depend on which specific component you need — the laser source, the beam delivery fibre, the optics, or the integrated system. Contact the coordinator for licensing terms.
What materials can this process handle?+
The project demonstrated surface texturing on metals, polymers, and ceramics. The Direct Laser Interference Patterning (DLIP) approach creates features down to 1 µm resolution with minimal heat impact on the workpiece. This broad material compatibility means a single system concept can serve multiple product lines.
How does this compare to existing coating technologies?+
Traditional surface treatments (chemical coatings, plasma sprays) degrade over time and add process steps. PROMETHEUS textures the surface itself — the functional properties (non-stick, hydrophobic, oleophobic, low-friction) are physically built into the material. The 4 end-user partners specifically benchmarked PROMETHEUS results against their current production processes.
What is the technology readiness — can we deploy this now?+
The project moved from TRL 4 to TRL 6 over its 3-year technical programme (project ran 2019–2023). A multi-kW laser source demonstrator and integrated processing system were delivered. TRL 6 means validated in a relevant environment — not yet a turnkey commercial product, but past the prototype stage and tested with real industrial partners.
Are there regulatory considerations for laser-textured surfaces in consumer products?+
Based on available project data, specific regulatory approvals are not detailed. However, Johnson & Johnson's involvement as an end-user in the fast-moving consumer goods segment suggests the consortium considered product safety requirements. The chemical-free nature of laser texturing (no coatings to leach) may simplify regulatory compliance compared to chemical surface treatments.
Consortium
Who built it
PROMETHEUS brings together 18 partners from 9 countries (Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Turkey, UK), with a strong industrial lean — 11 out of 18 partners are from industry and 7 are SMEs, giving a 61% industry ratio. This is unusually high for an EU research project and signals genuine commercial intent. The consortium is coordinated by the European Federation for Welding, Joining and Cutting in Belgium. Critically, 4 multinational end-users — Fiat Chrysler (automotive), Johnson & Johnson (consumer goods), Arcelik (white goods), and Maier (automotive components) — were built into the project to validate results against real production requirements. With 6 research organizations providing the science and 11 industrial players pulling it toward the market, this consortium was designed to bridge the lab-to-factory gap. The EUR 6,356,235 EU investment was distributed across laser source developers, optical fibre specialists, inspection systems, and end-user validation.
Coordinated by the European Federation for Welding, Joining and Cutting (Belgium). SciTransfer can facilitate an introduction to the right technical contact within the consortium.
Want to know if laser surface texturing fits your production line? SciTransfer can arrange a technical briefing with the PROMETHEUS team — contact us for a tailored assessment.
