Summary
- Profile Type
- Business Offer
- POD Reference
- BOIT20240529002
- Term of Validity
- 1 October 2024 - 1 October 2025
- Company's Country
- Italy
- Type of partnership
- Investment agreement
- Targeted Countries
- All countries
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General information
- Short Summary
- An Italian SME has developed a film material with superior flotation performance. The material has greatly reduced bulk compared to other flotation solutions, so it does not impede movement. The company seeks financing through an investment agreement to cover costs associated with the next phases in its development plan, in order to bring protective flotation wear to the commercial fishing and other markets.
- Full Description
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According to an EU-OSHA report (https://osha.europa.eu/sites/default/files/European_guide_for_risk_prevention_in_small_fishing_vessels.pdf), small fishing vessels account for more than 80% of the European Union fishing fleet.
The number of fatalities, injuries and vessels lost annually remains ‘unacceptably’ high when compared to other industries. The report states that “on small fishing vessels the three biggest causes of death are: Capsize (29%), person overboard (28%), and flooding/foundering (23%).”
Personal flotation devices (PFD) have the potential to save many lives, yet often they are not worn because their bulk can interfere with the workers’ movements. Failure to wear PFD is cited as a risk factor for the safety of fisherman, so protective gear that they will not object to wearing could be a game-changer.
The SME intends to offer PFD made with its thin film material to protect commercial fishermen. The material is light and flexible, so protective gear does not restrict wearers’ movement.
For the next steps in its business plan, the company will certify (homologate) PFD made with its material and begin marketing campaigns aimed at its initial target, the commercial fishing fleet. This market is substantial (4.6 million vessels) and PFD for this sector has a relatively short homologation process. Subsequent targets are merchant shipping, passenger vessels and airlines.
The company seeks financing to cover the costs associated with these next stages. - Advantages and Innovations
- The innovative material is .6 mm thick and weighs 16 g per m2. It has a closed-cell film structure so it retains its flotation performance even if cut.
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- IPR status
- IPR granted
Partner Sought
- Expected Role of a Partner
- The Italian company seeks an investment partner to provide financing for the phases of homologation and initial marketing of PFD made using the innovative material.
- Type and Size of Partner
- Big company
- SME 50 - 249
- Other
- SME 11-49
- SME <=10
- Type of partnership
- Investment agreement
Dissemination
- Market keywords
- 09005 - Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Animal Husbandry & Related Products
- 05005016 - Environmental Medicine, Social Medicine, Sports Medicine
- Targeted countries
- All countries