710487MICROPPLY LIMITED - A flameless device for installing thermoplastics in hazardous and confined areasClosedGRD Proof of ConceptInnovate UKSurface Markings are a versatile and essential addition to asphalt or concrete surfaces. They play one of the most important safety functions on pavements and roads, as well as giving facilities owners the ability to construct education, leisure, and advertising in prime locations on the ground. This has led to a wealth of global opportunities in playgrounds, theme parks, car parks, stadia and other forecourts; in addition to road markings. The global markings industry is estimated at $50bn USD, and employees over 250,000 people. There are over 178 UK companies operating in this market. There are currently four main typologies of surface marking materials (paint, thermoplastic, resin, and tape), each differ in terms of cost, performance, durability, speed of application, and suitability. There is a growing trend towards using thermoplastics because of their zero solvent/VOC (Volatile Organic Content) level, safety, high retro reflectivity, variable thickness, bright colours, and ability to easily re-apply over old markings. However, there are commercial and technical issues with current installation processes that have prevented the use of thermoplastic markings in lucrative hazardous area industries e.g. Oil & Gas, PetroChem, Underground networks - not least the requirement to install with a naked flame (which is banned in hazardous areas). Further, current methods are expensive, labour intensive, slow and give inconsistent results. This project addresses these problems. Following two successfully funded TSB grants (Proof of Market, and to validate novel High Value Manufacturing Business Models - TSB File Refs 700255 and 221214 respectively), we address the problems by developing flameless device that can simultaneously apply heat, measure temperature, and apply the correct volume of antislip aggregate over the thermoplastic surface evenly, deploying it at the correct time to give optimised visual/retro reflective qualities, and without the use of a naked flame.