General information

Vision, Mission, Profile and Values

The Institute of Metals and Technology (IMT) is a public research organisation based in Ljubljana, Slovenia, dedicated to research, development and education in the field of metallic materials and technologies. Founded in 1948 and operating as a public research institute since 1997, it is a key national institution dedicated to preserving and advancing knowledge on metallurgy and materials science.

IMT is a relatively small research organisation with 61 employees (57 FTEs), including 33 researchers (22 full-time, 5 part-time, and 6 young researchers). Despite its size, the institute demonstrates a strong balance between scientific excellence, socio-economic relevance and international engagement. Its compact structure enables flexibility, efficient knowledge transfer and close collaboration between researchers, technical staff and external partners.

In 2025, IMT generated EUR 5.2 million in revenue, of which approximately 54% originated from stable institutional funding, 30% from competitively acquired national and international research projects, and 16% from market-oriented activities. This diversified funding structure supports the Institute’s long-term sustainability and research excellence.

IMT’s vision is to become a leading research centre in Slovenia and internationally competitive in the field of metallic materials, and contribute to solving global challenges such as climate change, energy efficiency, and the circular economy while supporting the green transition. IMT focuses on developing lighter, more sustainable, and recyclable metallic materials, 3D printing and surface engineering of metals, advanced modelling, artificial intelligence, and training experts for the transition to a low-carbon, high-tech society.

The mission of IMT includes the creation and transfer of new knowledge in metallic materials. This is achieved through basic research, experimental development, and the publication of results in prestigious international scientific journals. IMT also collaborates directly with industry and energy sectors. In addition, we support the development of applications in additive technologies, surface engineering and the digitalisation of manufacturing.

The institute is guided by core values such as scientific excellence, ethics and integrity, transparency, and openness to new knowledge. It actively promotes open science, responsible research practices, ethics in research and proper recognition of intellectual contributions. IMT is also committed to gender equality, interdisciplinarity, innovation, and long-term sustainability, while fostering collaboration between academia, industry, policymakers, and the wider public.

Scientific Research Activities

IMT conducts comprehensive research in metallic materials, spanning the entire lifecycle from design and synthesis to processing, characterisation, and application. Its work focuses on advanced metallic materials and their processing, with particular emphasis on additive manufacturing (3D printing), surface engineering, artificial intelligence, and digitalisation in materials science and engineering. Research addresses the relationships between processing, microstructure, and material properties across multiple scales, with key materials including steels, aluminium, titanium and magnesium alloys, and nickel-based superalloys for demanding applications in energy, automotive, aerospace, and other industries. IMT also develops advanced surface engineering solutions, modelling approaches, and functional materials, while maintaining strong expertise in vacuum technologies and materials for electronic and metrological applications. Sustainability is a central focus, with activities targeting the green transition through energy-efficient processes, hydrogen technologies, recycling, and the development of materials and solutions for a circular economy.

Internal Organisation

IMT’s activities are structured around three complementary pillars that ensure the integration of research, infrastructure, and long-term development:

Programme Pillar (PSF):

This pillar includes three core research programmes:

(1) Metallic Materials and Technologies, focusing on material design, processing, and performance;
(2) Surface Physics and Chemistry of Metallic Materials, addressing surface and interface phenomena and advanced functionalisation.

(3) Vacuum science and metrology for emerging technologies: from advanced vacuum thermal insulation to nuclear fusion, focusing on vacuum systems and specialised materials.

These programmes form the scientific backbone of the institute and address both fundamental and applied research challenges. 

Infrastructural Pillar (ISF):

The ISF provides advanced research infrastructure, including laboratories, pilot-scale equipment, and analytical facilities. 

IMT has unique facilities for synthesising metallic materials (atomisation, 3D printing, atmosphere and vacuum melting, horizontal continuous casting), plastic deformation (hot and cold rolling, forging), heat treatments and surface chemothermal treatments (vacuum annealing and hardening, plasma nitriding, deep cryogenic treatment), and is characterised in different accredited laboratories (chemical, metallographic, mechanical). IMT also offers opportunities for physical and thermodynamic modelling of metallurgical processes and in-depth surface and microstructural characterisation using cutting-edge equipment (XPS, SIMS, HR-TEM, FIB-SEM). This pillar also supports collaboration with industry and external research organisations and provides high-level R&D services. 

Development Pillar (RSF):

The RSF focuses on strategic development, innovation, and internationalisation. A key initiative is the Laboratory for Breakthrough Technologies – from a Green Society to Space, established in 2024, which explores emerging areas such as hydrogen technologies, advanced materials and treatments, artificial intelligence, and space applications. The pillar also promotes researcher mobility, international networking, and interdisciplinary collaboration, and provides internal funding mechanisms to support early-career researchers and high-potential projects.