One of the largest
research networks in Europe
We are the part of science that works
for business, carrying out R&D projects
crucial from the perspective of our clients' development.
We have received support under the “Aid for energy-intensive industries related to natural gas and electricity prices in 2023” programme
FOR BUSINESS
Research Centres
Centre of Mineral Processing
Director of the Centre: Łukasz Skrzypiec, MSc
phone: +48 607 095 666
e-mail: lukasz.skrzypiec@imn.lukasiewicz.gov.pl
The Centre conducts RD work on the development and selection of enrichment technologies for non-ferrous metal ores, coals, waste and secondary raw materials.
The most important activities:
- laboratory and semi-technical analysis of sifting, crushing, grinding, gravity separation, enrichment by flotation, electrostatic and magnetic separation processes
- evaluation and optimisation of processing technologies to increase their efficiency
- designing new and improving existing processing equipment
- studies of the grain composition of various types of raw materials in a wide range of grain sizes
- analysis of the potential of using mechanical processing methods in Urban Mining and Circular Economy
Centre of Metallurgical
Director of the Centre: Grzegorz Krawiec, MSc
phone: +48 32 23 80 366
e-mail grzegorz.krawiec@imn.lukasiewicz.gov.pl
The Centre deals with extractive metallurgy of non-ferrous metals. It develops, among others, technologies of pyrometallurgical processes for the production of metals from ores, concentrates, scrap and waste, and fire refining of metals.
The most important activities:
- developing methods for preparing charge for metallurgical processes, including briquetting (including selection of the optimal type of binder), granulation, sintering and roasting
- development of process designs, technical and technological analyses of existing and new processes along with design assumptions
- development of technologies for the recovery of non-ferrous metals from concentrates and all types of secondary raw materials (technology concepts, selection of equipment and parametres, design assumptions)
- developing methods for refining non-ferrous metals from impurities
- developing methods for obtaining chemical compounds and useful alloys from semi-finished products and waste containing non-ferrous metals
- developing methods for obtaining chemical compounds and useful alloys from semi-finished products and waste containing non-ferrous metals
- mathematical modelling and development of algorithms for controlling metallurgical processes and decision support systems
Centre of Hydroelectrometallurgy
Director of the Centre: Katarzyna Leszczyńska-Sejda, PhD
phone: +48 32 23 80 657
e-mail katarzyna.leszczynska-sejda@imn.lukasiewicz.gov.pl
The Centre conducts research in the field of hydro- and electrometallurgy as well as metal chemistry of copper, zinc, precious metals, and metals accompanying copper and zinc-lead ore deposits.
The most important activities:
- development of hydrometallurgical technologies for copper and zinc industries
- recovery of strategic metals from waste in the form of high-purity compounds
- development of hydrometallurgical technologies in projects implemented within the European Framework
- developing technologies enabling the increase of the share of secondary raw materials
- application of solvent extraction and ion exchange in hydrometallurgy of non-ferrous metals
- cognitive and basic research in the field of non-ferrous metal hydrometallurgy and electrochemistry, including chemical engineering
Centre of Environmental Protection
Director of the Centre: Krzysztof Rajczykowski, PhD
phone: +48 32 23 80 267
e-mail krzysztof.rajczykowski@imn.lukasiewicz.gov.pl
The Centre conducts research in the field of environmental analytics – measurements of pollutant emissions, identification of their sources, soil and water quality studies, and measurements of dust concentration.
The most important activities:
- developing innovative methods of waste gas purification
- recovery of metals from solid and liquid waste
environmental and qualitative analyses of industrial wastewater
emission and control measurements of process and waste gases - modernisation works of existing dust removal installations and sewage treatment plants
- preparation of documentation necessary to obtain an integrated permit and sectoral permits
- membrane technologies in desalination processes
Centre of Analytical Chemistry
Director of the Centre: Jacek Anyszkiewicz, PhD
phone: +48 32 23 80 278
e-mail jacek.anyszkiewicz@imn.lukasiewicz.gov.pl
The Centre conducts research, service and training activities in the field of chemical analysis, produces and sells certified reference materials (CRM).
The most important activities:
- development of analytical methods
- participation in RD projects
- analytical services and expertise
- training in instrumental and classical analysis
- interlaboratory research
- production of calibration materials, reference materials and certified reference materials according to individual customer requirements
Centre of Advanced Materials Technologies
Director of the Centre: Joanna Kulasa, PhD
phone: +48 32 23 80 711
e-mail: joanna.kulasa@imn.lukasiewicz.gov.pl
The activity of the Centre focuses on industrial and development research concerning design of the chemical composition of new types of alloys and composite materials based on non-ferrous metals such as copper, zinc, lead, silver, and the development of new manufacturing and processing technologies, as well as determining the mutual relationships between the chemical composition, parametres of technological processes and the structure and properties.
The most important activities:
- technological and application research
- innovation and implementation work
- increasing innovativeness and competitiveness of Polish non-ferrous metals industry
- expert opinions
- training for employees of various industries
- low-tonnage production of cast and extruded products from non-ferrous metals and their alloys, drawn products and bimetallic wires
Centre of Functional Materials
Director of the Centre: Aleksandra Kolano-Burian, PhD
phone: +48 32 23 80 251
e-mail aleksandra.kolano-burian@imn.lukasiewicz.gov.pl
The Centre conducts work on technologies for producing innovative, new-generation materials.
The most important activities:
- technology for manufacturing of nanocomposites in the form of rolled or package cores
- work on stators for ventricular assist pumps
- manufacturing of contact rivets
- production of amorphous binders
- gas atomisation
- technology for manufacturing 3D printed magnetic components
- new materials and technologies for power electronics, energy, transport and medicine
Centre of Powder and Composite Materials
Director of the Centre: Adriana Wrona, PhD
phone: +48 32 23 80 632
e-mail: adriana.wrona@imn.lukasiewicz.gov.pl
The Centre conducts research and development work on the production of powders by plasma spraying, development of functional coatings obtained by plasma spraying, production of metallic and composite micro- and nano-powders by chemical methods, mechanical synthesis and through milling, plasma- and chemical technologies-based recycling of materials.
The most important activities:
- production of powders by plasma spraying
- production of powders by plasma atomisation
- development of functional coatings obtained by thermal spraying from powders and suspensions
- production of metallic and composite micro- and nano-powders by chemical methods, mechanical synthesis and by grinding
- plasma- and chemical technologies-based recycling of materials
- production of biologically active materials with antimicrobial properties based on copper matrix composites
- production of powders intended for Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes
- production of sintered materials by classical powder metallurgy and spark plasma sintering methods
Centre of Light Metals in Skawina
The Centre deals with research related to the processing of aluminium and aluminium alloys.
The most important activities:
- development of technology for preparing liquid metal for the casting process
- casting of aluminium, aluminium alloys and magnesium alloys in the form of pigs and ingots for plastic working
- plastic working of light metals, including extrusion, rolling, forging, drawing and stamping
- production of protective coatings on Al and Mg products
- production of new advanced materials based on light metals
- corrosion tests
Centre of Chemical Power Sources in Poznań
Director of the Centre: Mariusz Walkowiak, PhD, MBA
phone: +48 505 182 322 || +48 61 279 78 20
e-mail: mariusz.walkowiak@imn.lukasiewicz.gov.pl
The most important activities:
- development of solutions in the field of stationary energy storage as buffer power sources integrated with renewable energy sources for civil and military applications
- thermal batteries from the BTR series, aviation batteries, and special purpose batteries
- research work on materials of chemical power sources, battery recycling
- implementation and market expertise
- certification of mobile power sources
- research on new types of chemical power sources
Centre of Metal Recycling in Legnica
Director of the Centre: Arkadiusz Szpakowski, MSc, MA
phone: +48 76 743 98 30 +48 76 743 98 30
e-mail: arkadiusz.szpakowski@imn.lukasiewicz.gov.pl
The Centre works on the development and implementation of non-ferrous metals recovery technologies.
The most important activities:
- development of lead, tin and antimony recovery technologies in thermal and chemical processes from various waste materials
- development of tungsten, molybdenum, nickel, vanadium and cobalt recovery technologies from production waste and used catalysts
- development of zinc and copper recovery technologies from waste from various production processes
- development of abrasive materials production technologies for abrasive blast cleaning
- development of precious metals recovery technologies
Areas of activity
Science for the non-ferrous metals industry
The Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals has been building and modernising the Polish non-ferrous metals industry since 1952.
Łukasiewicz – Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals is a scientific unit of the non-ferrous metals industry in Poland. Our comprehensive activity covers all stages of the metallic materials production process from ore processing to technologies for obtaining modern products that meet environmental standards.
Our offer includes RD work to develop new technologies, optimisation of industrial processes, modernisation of production lines, construction of devices, measurement and analytical services.
We work with SMEs
Many solutions are used in small and medium-sized enterprises, not only in the non-ferrous metals industry, but also in other sectors of the economy.
We provide our clients with access to the latest technologies, modern laboratories and high-performance pilot installations. The level of our services has been appreciated by companies such as KGHM Polska Miedź S.A., ZGH Bolesław S.A. and Hutmen S.A.
We support development of research staff
Many years of scientific cooperation with leading academic centres in the country, institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences and many years of experience resulting from participation in the EU Framework Programmes create conditions for continuous development for the researchers and for the Institute the possibility of offering competitive and innovative solutions to its clients.
FOR BUSINESS
Own brands
Central Laboratory of Batteries and Cells
Recognition and trust
Special purpose batteries manufactured under the CLAiO own brand are recognized worldwide.
Knowledge and experience
We have been building our own brand for over 75 years.
Reliability and independence
We develop the technologies of products manufactured under the CLAiO brand from scratch. They are original and independent of political influence from third countries.
PolGrit®
Processing with the environment in mind
We are a manufacturer of professional abrasive for blast cleaning.
PolGrit® abrasive is produced from waste copper slags and is used to clean metal surfaces in preparation processes for protection with anti-corrosion agents.
FOR BUSINESS
Our technologies
Thermal batteries BTR
Primary batteries have power supply systems for precision-guided missiles. This is a product based on its own and original technology, independent of the economic and political systems of third countries, which means securing the continuity of supplies of technologies critical to the country’s security and defence
Our Clients:
MESKO S.A.
Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) for spectral and chemical analysis
CRMs ensure measurement consistency, correctness and accuracy of test results. The use of CRMs is crucial for ensuring quality in analyses, guarantees high reliability of results and leads to metrological consistency on a global scale. CRMs have a positive impact on shaping the image of Centre as a credible and reliable business partner.
Our Clients:
RUMET Wacław Rudzik i Wspólnicy Spółka jawna, Podkarpacki Urząd Celno-Skarbowy, MRO Europe Sourcing Supply BV, Zakłady Górniczo-Hutnicze "Bolesław" S.A.
3D printing feedstock materials made of copper alloys in the form of 1 mm wire
These new materials allow for 3D printing of complex elements resistant to aggressive corrosive environments, e.g. seawater. This extends the service life of objects, which directly improves profitability and minimises material losses in production. Materials do not lose their properties in recycling, they can be used in the second and subsequent cycles, which increases their economic and ecological values.
Our Clients:
Gefertec (Partner of a research project, used these wires in their production)
The technology of modular and hybrid energy storage for renewable energy sources
The technology allows for the adjustment of the energy storage system configuration to the users’ capabilities and needs for maximum storage of generated energy with minimum expenditure. The technology increases the possibilities of reaching prosumers with different or unusual needs for storing generated energy.
Our Clients:
Energy industry, individual customers
Metal powder plasma spheroidization
Plasma spheroidization technology can be used to produce powder feedstocks for 3D printing. The technology enables the production of feedstocks for additive manufacturing of specialised high temperatures resistant components with high dimensional accuracy where it is necessary for safety, e.g. for the defence industry or nuclear energy.
Our Clients:
Defense and Security Industry, Energy Industry
Other technologies
See how our technologies can take your business to the next level
People and organisation
Management
Director of Division in Legnica
Arkadiusz Szpakowski, MSc
Director of Division in Poznań
Grzegorz Lota, Prof., PhD
Our organization
With 7000 employees and 22 research institutes located in 12 cities; we are one of the largest research networks in Europe.
We are the part of science that works for entrepreneurship and supports the development of Polish companies. Operating under the Science is Businessformula,we meet entrepreneurs and offer solutions that help improve business and create technologies that change reality.
Łukasiewicz is the realisation of Polish aspirations to be a partner for the best European and world experts, both in the world of science and entrepreneurship.
As a result of our work, Polish research units are becoming leaders in international RD projects, and companies cooperating with them are implementing new technologies financed from programmes such as Horizon Europe more quickly and effectively.
