RELIANCE consortium gathered in Bordeaux end of January 2025, for their fifth consortium meeting, marking an important milestone with just 18 months left before the project’s end. Hosted by Polyrise, the meeting brought together partners to discuss progress across multiple work packages. Some noteworthy advancements include improved repelling properties in hybrid sol-gel nanocoatings, successful scaling-up of nanoparticle formulations, and enhanced deposition techniques for stainless steel, glass and textiles. In the afternoon of the second day of the meeting, Polyrise had kindly organized for the group a tour of their impressive facilities. We enter the forthcoming phase of prototype and functional systems validation at manufacturing level with confidence, while taking faced challenges as valuable learning opportunities that drive scientific innovation forward.

Beyond technical discussions, the consortium enjoyed a rainy and immersive cultural experience in Bordeaux. A guided tour of the historic city landmarks provided insights into its rich and glorious past, complemented by amusing and curious anecdotes about its norms, traditions and beliefs. The evening culminated in a delightful social dinner strengthening the bonds between project partners. We enjoyed lively conversations over a glass of the renowned for its good taste Bordeaux wine and the region’s signature Confit de Canard, a tender duck dish slow-cooked in its own fat.

A special thanks goes to Polyrise for their exceptional organization and hospitality, ensuring a productive and inspiring meeting in Bordeaux. With strong collaboration and continued resolve for success, RELIANCE project remains on track to deliver groundbreaking antimicrobial nanocoatings for healthier environments.