On 17 September 2026, the kick-off meeting for the “PlasmaBeads’n’func” research project, funded by the Bavarian Transformation and Research Foundation, took place at SiLi. The meeting marked the official start of the joint project work.
The project focuses on researching a sustainable microwave plasma process for the production of functionalised solid and hollow glass beads. The aim is to replace fossil fuels in the manufacturing process with a fully electrified process, thereby contributing to production with lower CO₂ equivalents.
Another key focus is on the use of recycled glass and adapted raw materials. On this basis, the aim is to develop functionalised glass beads with improved matrix affinity, suitable for a wide range of applications. The energy consumption is intended to remain comparable to that of existing manufacturing processes.
The kick-off meeting provided the project participants with the opportunity for face-to-face discussion and to coordinate the project’s content. Together, they discussed initial research questions, finalised the planned work packages and outlined the next steps in their collaboration.
To conclude, the participants gained insights into SiLi and its production processes during a tour of the facility.
This successful kick-off meeting has laid the foundations for the joint research work. In the coming project phases, the partners will investigate the potential of microwave plasma technology for more sustainable and increasingly electrified glass production.