CUPA GROUP is world leader in the production/commercialization of slates for roofs, and international reference in the production of natural stone. CUPA has a human capital of engineers with extensive experience in R&D&I activities. The mission of the company is to promote the development of new products and the improvement of the industrial processes. The main activity of R&D division is focused on: Renovate production processes and Design of new building systems and constructive solutions.

CUPA carries out R&D new applications for natural slate and stone. In this sense, in a globalised world where «time to market» is ever shorter, once a product reaches the market, a process of continuous improvement is carried out that gives rise to new versions of the product. In this way, CUPA Group adapts rapidly to new demands and the requirements of the clients. CUPA has a human capital of engineers with extensive experience in R&D&I activities. The mission of the company is to promote the development of new products and the improvement of the industrial processes of the group companies.

The main activity of CUPA INNOVATION is focused in two areas: i) Renovate production processes slate, granite, or prefabricated panels, always with the aim of providing a service R+D to companies from CUPA Group; ii) Design of new building systems and constructive solutions capable of providing an added value to the traditional construction. This facet includes the field of efficient energy and simplifying installation work.

Industrial research, experimental development and technological innovation are key elements of CUPA GROUP’s strategy, aimed at producing new products and construction systems. Following a model of open innovation, we work from the generation of an idea to series production. Along the way, we develop prototypes that are subjected to stringent checks based on international standards according to the target market at which the final product is aimed.

Thanks to ongoing efforts in research, CUPA GROUP meets present architectural needs with the creation of new, technically superior products and construction systems with high added value. CUPA has extensive experience in management, coordination, development and monitoring of R&D activities based on more than 20 R&D projects. Over the years the most remarkable branches of work have been:

• Development of different methodologies to reuse mineral waste such us obtaining geopolymer, or polymer matrices and bituminous materials, in order to boost circular economy;
• Incorporation of novel nanotechnological applications on natural stones for various applications;
• Renewable energy system uses a natural material (slate) for buildings with an innovative design.
• Development of an intelligent search tool for comparing the various products available in the market based on parameters extracted from BIM models.

CUPA is looking for partners with a research cooperation agreement to join a consortium for a research project under a call to be funded by the European Union, in regard to the recently published H2020 Work Programs is especially interested in the next topics:

WP “Nanotechnologies, Advanced Materials, Biotechnology and Advanced Manufacturing and Processing”

2.1. FACTORIES OF THE FUTURE (FOF)

FOF-02-2018: Effective Industrial Human-Robot Cooperation

3.5. ENERGY-EFFICIENT BUILDINGS (EEB)

EEB-01-2019: Integration of energy smart materials in non-residential buildings

EEB-03-2019: New developments in plus energy houses

EEB-04-2020: Industrialization of building envelope for the renovation market

WP Societal Challenge 3 “clean secure and efficient energy”

Energy Efficiency

LC-SC3-EE-1-2018-2019-2020. Decarbonization of the EU building stock: innovative approaches and affordable solutions changing the market for buildings renovation

LC-SC3-EE-3-2019-2020. Stimulating demand for sustainable energy skills in the construction sector

Global Leaderships in renewables

LC-SC3-RES-4-2018 Renewable energy system integrated at a building or industrial site

LC-SC3-RES-5-2018 Increased performance of technologies for local heating and cooling solutions