Bulgaria

The EU supports scientists, researchers and innovators in pushing the boundaries of knowledge. It has invested nearly €500 million across more than 3.300 research and industry organisations in Bulgaria. Meet Svilen and Konstantin whose company develops cargo drone technology, and discover other groundbreaking work done in polymer science and electric engineering.

Enabling same-day cargo delivery for everyone, everywhere

The Bulgarian company Dronamics is transforming cargo logistics across Europe, with a mission to make same-day delivery possible for everyone, everywhere. Ιts Black Swan aircraft is designed specifically for freight and can carry up to 350 kg over 2,500 km – the distance from Sofia to Dublin – in a single flight.

Closer to a flying delivery van than a hobby drone, it is large, robust and built to connect cities, towns and remote villages alike. By tackling the barriers of distance, the innovative cargo drone boosts connectivity, enables long-distance same-day deliveries, and brings opportunities to underserved regions in Bulgaria and beyond.

Other project examples

Novel bioplastic to cut packaging pollution

Packaging is responsible for a significant proportion of the world’s plastic waste. However, less than 10% is recycled and much of it ends up in landfills or incinerators, polluting the environment. EU-supported researchers have developed a bioplastic alternative to laminating and packaging film that offers the same protection as conventional products while avoiding the environmental impact.

Uniting thermal imaging and AI to combat arterial disease

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which involves the narrowing or blockage of vessels that carry blood from the heart to the legs, affects more than 230 million people worldwide. However, it is less well-known than other vascular conditions, such as heart disease, and is often poorly diagnosed. EU-supported researchers investigated the use of a technique that incorporates thermal imaging and artificial intelligence to help diagnose PAD.