Summary

Finishes and coatings are an essential part in the design and production of furniture. They eventually determine both its aesthetics and technical characteristics as well as its functional features. They also require to comply with legislative conditions related to health, safety at work and the environment.

The latest innovations in finishing and coating products allow to reduce the environmental impact of furniture, achieve greater resistance to scratching and abrasion and meet current aesthetic requirements. At the same time, they allow for innovation in the final product and help to gain access to new markets by presenting furniture or carpentry elements that make a difference.

The objectives of the project are:

• Transfer of knowledge about furniture finishes and coatings.
• Comparison of systems, finishing products and regulations between countries.
• Development of content and specific training tools in the field of furniture finishes and coatings.

The joint development of the project with the participation of international entities will increase the scope and lead to more ambitious results. Both the variety of finishing and coating products as well as the application methods differ between countries. While natural finishes such as waxes and oils are commonly applied in Estonia, varnishes and coatings are mainly used in Spain, the United Kingdom and Italy.

The incorporation of the necessary skills, knowledge and competences on finishes and coatings requires a dynamic and fluid interaction between the FP – vocational training courses – and other actors within the innovation system at an international level. FUTUREfacing is based precisely on the joint work of FP providers, companies, social agents and technology centers which offer specific and complementary knowledge.

This strategic partnership will develope:

• Intellectual products: a manual, a virtual simulator for varnishing and a specific database on finishes and coatings.
• Multiplier event: an international conference on finishes and coatings.
• Joint training activities for the teaching staff.
• Dissemination activities: project website, conferences, newsletters, etc.

The activities of the project are addressed to students and professors in VET – vocational training courses – as well as to the companies of the furniture sector and its prescribers. Therefore, they will be invited to participate in all the initiatives. In the case of joint training sessions for teachers, there will be one session open to the public of the five programmed days.

The results of the project will be available to all agents of the furniture value chain. A positive impact is expected in the sector since the intellectual products respond to “what-how-who”. The manual will provide updated information about the products; the virtual simulator represents a unique opportunity to acquire or develop the key skills in the application of finishes; the database will allow to easily locate both products and suppliers.