About Us

Director’s Message

The Institute of Metals and Technology (IMT) is a public research organisation with more than 75 years of experience in research, development and education in the field of metallic materials and technologies. Our mission is to create new knowledge and transfer it to industry, the energy sector, medicine and society. Although IMT is a relatively small institute, it is distinguished by scientific excellence, advanced research infrastructure and close collaboration between researchers, technical experts, universities, healthcare institutions and industrial partners. Our research covers the entire lifecycle of metallic materials, from design, synthesis and processing to characterisation, application, recycling and reintegration into the circular economy.

We place particular emphasis on the development of advanced, lightweight, sustainable and recyclable materials, additive manufacturing, surface engineering, digitalisation, artificial intelligence and hydrogen technologies. An important part of our research is also dedicated to biocompatible and biodegradable metallic materials for medical applications, including the development of a new generation of temporary implants and other biomedical solutions. Our expertise and technologies support applications in the energy, automotive, aerospace, space and medical sectors. In our work, we combine fundamental research, experimental development, state-of-the-art analytical methods and the solution of practical industrial and societal challenges. Through active participation in national and international research projects and cooperation with leading research organisations and companies, we contribute to the creation of new knowledge and technological solutions.

Our vision is to consolidate IMT’s position as one of Slovenia’s leading research centres in the field of metallic materials and to further strengthen its international visibility and competitiveness in addressing the challenges of the green and digital transitions, sustainable energy, and the development of advanced materials for biomedical applications. Our activities are guided by scientific excellence, ethics and integrity, openness, transparency, interdisciplinarity, equal opportunities, and the responsible management of knowledge and the environment.

I firmly believe that, through outstanding expertise, modern research infrastructure, and close cooperation between science, industry, and society, IMT can make an important contribution to the technological development of Slovenia and Europe and to the creation of a sustainable, low-carbon, and high-technology society.

A/Prof. Dr Matjaž Godec

Director of the Institute of Metals and Technology