How can collaboration with a university help companies solve specific production problems? This was the focus of the Czech-Saxon SUPPORT4SME project workshop, which took place on 7 October 2026 in Sokolov. The event attracted representatives from companies in the Karlovy Vary Region and Saxony who were looking for ways to utilise the research facilities and technologies of universities.
Small businesses usually have their hands full with production itself. They have neither the time nor the money for their own laboratory or an expensive microscope. Yet it is often there that the answer lies to the question of why a product breaks, cracks or does not function as it should.
The SUPPORT4SME project therefore builds a bridge between companies and university laboratories on both sides of the border. On the Czech side, the project is led by the Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovation at the Technical University of Liberec (CXI TUL), whilst on the Saxon side it is led by Chemnitz University of Technology (TU Chemnitz). The project is co-funded by the Interreg Czech Republic–Saxony programme.
The workshop was held under the auspices of the Karlovy Vary Region Chamber of Commerce. Its director, Lenka Mansfeldová, gave the opening address.
From a defect to a new product
Following the presentation of the project, practical examples were showcased. Adam Blažek from CXI TUL and Kristina Roder from TU Chemnitz demonstrated how the universities can assist companies. For instance, by determining the exact composition of a material and identifying the source of a defect. By testing a product’s durability. Or by developing an entirely new one.
Saxon companies are also interested in Czech laboratories
The topics raised by the companies were varied. Bonnel Technologie, Terea Cheb and EPT connector were interested in plastic injection moulding, i.e. the production of plastic parts by moulding. They discussed suitable materials and training. Another question concerned sheet metal forming and computer simulations. These show how sheet metal bends or stretches before the actual machine is put to work.
Serafin Byliny brought a completely different world to the event. The company was interested in production automation and packaging machinery, as well as the analysis of macerates – extracts from mushrooms and herbs.
Amongst others, the company MAF Materialanalytik Freiberg arrived from Saxony. It was interested in chemical analyses of materials and in working with microscopes in the CXI TUL laboratories. CKT-Ökoplast GmbH specialises in plastics technologies for the automotive and food industries.
SUPPORT4SME: Making research more accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises
The most discussion took place after the official programme had ended. Discussions and questions continued over a joint lunch, where there was time for initial consultations on specific issues. Contacts have been established. Now it is time for collaboration.
The SUPPORT4SME project helps small and medium-sized enterprises overcome the barriers between industrial practice and applied research. It connects companies with experts and the technological facilities of universities on both sides of the Czech-Saxon border and supports the search for specific solutions to production and technological problems.
