EIB Invests €50 Million in Comau to Boost European Robotics and Automation Innovation

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €50 million finance contract with Italian automation company Comau S.p.A. to support research and development in robotics, advanced automation, machine tools, and digitalization. This strategic investment aims to enhance Europe’s industrial competitiveness in key sectors.

Key Investment Details and Focus Areas

The funding will primarily target Comau’s R&D facilities in Turin and Bari, Italy, focusing on several critical industrial sectors. Comau CEO Pietro Gorlier emphasized that the investment will strengthen the company’s sustainable development strategy and help meet market challenges amid technological transformation.

The partnership will concentrate on multiple high-value sectors:

• Automotive and stationary batteries development
• Aerospace manufacturing solutions
• Construction automation
• Logistics systems
• Renewable energy applications
• Hydrogen fuel cell technologies

Expected Technological Advancements

With this funding, Comau plans to develop advanced manufacturing geometries that traditional methods cannot achieve. These innovations would enable on-demand production of complex, customized parts through flexible and cost-effective systems.

The investment also supports Comau’s pivot toward automation for advanced manufacturing, particularly in battery production and recycling technologies – a critical component of Europe’s green transition.

Broader European Innovation Context

The funding is part of the EU’s InvestEU program, with the EIB Group having already unlocked more than €4 billion in Italy through its TechEU initiative. This €70 billion program aims to accelerate European innovation through various investment vehicles.

EIB Vice President Gelsomina Vigliotti highlighted that supporting Europe’s industrial innovation and transition to more digital, sustainable production models is a core priority of the InvestEU program. The investment is expected to boost Europe’s technological leadership, create skilled jobs, and support companies through ongoing industrial transformations.

Comau’s Innovation Ecosystem

Comau brings significant capabilities to this partnership, with an international network spanning seven innovation centers and eleven manufacturing plants across eleven countries. The company employs 3,800 people globally and recently introduced its MyCo force- and power-limited robot line.

Beyond manufacturing solutions, Comau offers project management, consultancy services, and operates an internationally recognized training academy. The company is also contributing to the EU’s CONVERGING project, which aims to advance smart and reconfigurable production systems by integrating cobots, autonomous guided vehicles, artificial intelligence, and human operators.

Conclusion

This significant investment represents Europe’s commitment to maintaining industrial competitiveness through technological innovation. By supporting Comau’s R&D efforts, the EIB is helping to ensure European companies can compete globally in emerging sectors while advancing sustainable manufacturing practices and digital transformation.