ARMASMART - Scaling Up the Production of a Smart Nanotechnology to Combat Corrosion

Armadillo Metal Coatings Ltd., incorporated on 3rd July 2019, was formed to commercialise patented technology developed during a 4-year collaborative research project carried out at Swansea University, part funded, and directed by The Royal Mint, Llantrisant. The key focus was to develop a solution that reduces coin tarnishing, to maintaining brilliance for longer. The technology has been found to significantly reduce corrosion in other sought-after engineering & decorative metal coatings and has further been shown to protect the underlying substrate should the coating itself be compromised (e.g. corroded or scratched).

Armadillo's innovation comprises a metal plating bath additive that forms regular and well-dispersed deposits within a metal coating matrix. The additive comprises nanocontainers loaded with functional molecules that release under corrosive or abrasive conditions to protect an entire metallic coating, right down to the substrate. The nanocontainers can be loaded up with an array of functional molecules, including (but not limited to); anti-corrosive/ anti-tarnish, anti-viral / anti-microbial, anti-UV and flame-retardant molecules. Armadillo products are manufactured using non-toxic, environmentally friendly and cost-effective materials.

Armadillo's market exists because there is a demand from the end user for high performing, non-toxic and cost-effective anti-corrosion solutions - to keep metallically coated products in service for longer. Armadillo has developed its products accordingly, to be sold to coatings appliers. Corrosion is a costly business, accounting for over 3% of the world's Gross Domestic Product, and the impact of corrosion is energy intensive in terms of reduced product lifecycles. Armadillo adds value by providing metal coatings manufacturers with a smart additive. These new generation, smart metal coatings will provide:

* exceptional corrosion resistance - time-to-failure extended ten-fold or more;
* a smart saving for metal coatings manufacturers - no need to invest heavily in CapEx and new manufacturing processes to meet end users demand for excellence;
* non-toxic products that are not subject to intended legislation - future proof;
* a relatively low-cost solution for end-users; and
* novel marketing opportunities - 'a smart coating that senses and responds to its environment to protect from within'.

Armadillo's technology is proven, a preferred supplier (The Royal Mint) has been identified, and initial customer engagement has been secured for anti-viral electroplated copper coatings, with Armadillo's anti-tarnish properties, for door furnishings and other commonly touched surfaces. Here, and elsewhere, market pull has been evidenced.

This Project will allow Armadillo to increase product manufacture to industrial scale to fulfil this already evidenced market demand.
Armadillo changed hands in spring 2022 and has hardware customers waiting for the product. The next 2 quarters will involve proving and enhancing the technology for the market opportunities that have now been identified.