This project proposes the development of a racket with technological innovations that will contribute to the performance of the athlete/padel practitioner.

O projeto RPA tem como objetivo o estudo, desenvolvimento e validação de uma nova raquetes de padel, sustentável, totalmente regenerativa ou reciclável, que ofereça maior controlo, velocidade e precisão nos movimentos.

Parceiros: SEARCH4FUN, BLOCKILLUSION, FNWAY e UNIVERSIDADE DO MINHO

Ficha do projecto: 14459_RPA_COMPETE2030_Ficha_de_Operacao

This project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Operational Competitiveness Program and the National Foundation for Science and Technology of Portugal (FCT) under the projects UID/CTM/00264/2020 of Centre for Textile Science and Technology (2C2T) on its components Base (https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/00264/2020) and programmatic (https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDP/00264/2020).

The “Centro de Ciência e Tecnologia Têxtil” 2C2T (http://www.2c2t.uminho.pt) started its activity in 1978, being the first Research & Development (R&D) unit in Portugal specialized in the field of Fibrous Materials Engineering and Design. The vision and mission of 2C2T is to be recognized for excellent research in this area, helping society to tackle the biggest and most pressing problems and providing the knowledge base for the continuing viability of the textile value chain for global competition. To accomplish this the Unit defined three strategic goals:

• Scientific and technological leadership in the field together with a robust research innovation, generate new knowledge that will ensure continuing advances and foster the development of novel materials and technologies, helping the industry to become more competitive and sustainable and improve human conditions.
• Excellent education with a strong research base through the incorporation of innovative attitudes and approaches to provide human resources with the skills and competencies needed to address current and future industrial and societal challenges.
• Strong involvement with industrial, regional, and international partners exploring new opportunities addressed in the National and European strategies to strengthen the national economy and ensure that research outcomes are translated into benefits to society.

Three cross-cutting research themes were identified as key to generating knowledge and promoting innovation to maintain European industrial leadership and economic growth, namely: Nano and Multifunctional Materials; Sustainable and Advanced Processes and Technologies; Design and Product Engineering.

This project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Operational Competitiveness Program, the European Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), and the National Foundation for Science and Technology of Portugal (FCT) under the projects UID/00264/2025 and PRR.UID/00264/2025 of Centre for Textile Science and Technology (2C2T).

The Unit’s Activity Plan for the coming years is based on a renewed strategy. The new organizational structure of the Unit has a circular and inclusive dimension of 3 key areas:

1. Sustainability
2. Digitalization
3. High-performance Applications

These key areas encompass 5 thematic groups, which replace the previous research groups and thematic lines of Fibrous Materials Engineering and Fibrous Product Design:

1. High-performance Engineering Textiles
2. Advanced Textile Processes
3. Sustainable and Regenerative Fibrous Materials
4. Textile Design & Fashion
5. Smart Textiles

The be@t project has the overall goal of generating and consolidating a truly innovative, sustainable, and circular National Textile and Clothing Industry Cluster.

https://bioeconomy-at-textiles.com/

https://recuperarportugal.gov.pt/

The Blue Bioeconomy Pact aims to drive the development of a new cutting-edge industrial economic sector in Portugal, based on the sustainable application of marine bioresources across multiple industries.

The mobilizing project GIATEX – Intelligent Water Management aims to address the challenges faced by textile finishing companies in terms of intensive water consumption.

https://recuperarportugal.gov.pt/