MariLightCluster – Strengthening lightweight construction in the maritime sector by expanding the MariLight network as a technology transfer innovation cluster

Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)
Funding program: Technologietransfer-Programm Leichtbau (TTP LB)
Duration: 01.07.2021 – 30.06.2024
Funding: 308.111,81 €

The aim of the MariLightCluster project is to strengthen lightweight construction in the maritime sector by expanding the existing lightweight construction network MariLight.Net, focusing in particular on technology development and transfer, as well as the development of innovation concepts for maritime lightweight construction.

MariLightCluster is to create a platform for regular network meetings for the exchange of knowledge and experience on maritime lightweight construction. The network’s work will focus on design, production, recycling processes and joining technologies for fiber composite plastics for commercial shipbuilding and maritime technologies. Other lightweight technologies such as metallic lightweight construction and cross-material topics will also be considered.

MariLightCluster is intended to promote cross-sector networking between shipyards and suppliers and industrial companies, material manufacturers and research institutes that already use fiber composites and corresponding joining methods or other relevant lightweight technologies, thus contributing to knowledge transfer. Cooperation in the form of joint research projects and general innovation activities are to be stimulated. Targeted specialist events to promote technology transfer by organizing workshops, e.g. with experts from aviation, rail vehicle construction, civil engineering are to be organized.

To strengthen lightweight construction expertise and build confidence in lightweight construction technology, the initiation of working groups on specific specialist topics and the joint analysis of needs and identification of knowledge gaps are planned. Based on this, a strategic roadmap for maritime lightweight construction is to be developed in order to adapt it to market requirements. Within the cluster, the exchange of experience is also to be intensified through the communication of best practice examples, for example.