EIB invests $58.7M into Comau’s Italian facilities
The European Investment Bank, or EIB, and Comau S.p.A. last week said they have signed a finance contract worth €50 million, or around $58.7 million U.S. The contract will support Comau’s research and development in the fields of robotics, advanced automation, machine tools development, and digitalization.
“Comau constantly invests in the development of innovative competencies and technologies,” stated Pietro Gorlier, CEO of Comau. “These are a key driver for the growth of the European manufacturing system, enabling companies to compete globally in sectors of particular importance to the present and future of industry, such as batteries, aerospace, construction, logistics, and renewable energy.”
“The support of the European Investment Bank gives us greater strength to pursue our sustainable development strategy, aimed at designing and producing advanced automation solutions that enable us to meet the challenges of a market marked by profound uncertainty and rapid technological transformation,” he added.
Comau’s portfolio includes systems for vehicle manufacturing, shipbuilding, and other industries. The Turin, Italy-based company also offers project management and consultancy services and has an internationally recognized training academy.
In addition, Comau has an international network of seven innovation centers and 11 manufacturing plants across 11 countries. It employs 3,800 people and recently introduced its MyCo force- and power-limited robot line.
Comau to create advanced robotic geometries
The partnership will target both automotive and stationary batteries, as well as various industrial sectors, including aerospace, construction, and logistics. The investments will be concentrated mainly in Italy, particularly for Comau’s research and development facilities in Turin and Bari.
Comau said the investment will enable it to create advanced geometries that are not feasible with traditional manufacturing methods. These could enable companies to produce complex and customized parts on demand through a highly flexible and cost-effective system.
A key element of the investments is the expansion of Comau’s applications in the renewable energy and hydrogen fuel cell sectors. The EIB said its funding is also intended to support a pivot by the automotive sector toward automation for advanced manufacturing and to batteries and battery recycling.
EIB invests in Italian innovation
InvestEU, the European Union’s investment program, is supporting the operation. The EIB Group said it has already unlocked more than €4 billion ($4.7 billion) in Italy through its TechEU program.
TechEU is spending €70 billion ($82.3 billion) to accelerate innovation in Europe through equity, quasi-equity, loan, and guarantee investments. Comau said it aims to support the competitiveness of Europe’s value chain in advanced manufacturing technologies.
“Supporting Europe’s industrial innovation and transition to a more digital, sustainable, and competitive production model is a priority at the heart of the InvestEU program, of which the EIB Group is the main implementing partner,” said Gelsomina Vigliotti, vice president at the EIB. “Investing in advanced robotics, automation, and e-mobility will boost Europe’s leadership in technology, contribute to the creation of skilled jobs, and support European companies in the major industrial transformations currently taking place.”
Comau last month said it is contributing to the EU’s CONVERGING project, which aims to advance smart and reconfigurable production systems to meet the challenges of modern manufacturing. The company plans to integrate cobots, autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs), artificial intelligence, and human operators.
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