PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) is a technology that is used to deposit a thin layer of a vaporized substance on a surface. Under normal pressure conditions this process is comparable to the growth of hoar-frost in winter: the substance adheres to the surface as soon as it comes into contact with it. Practically there are several variants of this process. For example, the technique is used in the creation of CDs and DVDs. It can also be used for the coating of metals to protect them against corrosion.

In the so-called Flexicoat project (6th framework programme of the EU) several companies, research institutes and sectoral associations, work together to make the PVD technology available for SMEs. As part of the dissemination and valorisation activities in this project Van der Meer & van Tilburg conducted a roadmapping process. This process has lead to a publication on the way PVD can be exploited by SMEs.