As scheduled, the project was launched on 1 September 2011.
The first tasks mainly concerned project management, monitoring and dissemination.
Ascot took part in the 2011 CERSAIE trade fair, where it briefly presented the project goals.

The following important goals were attained with regard to the technical aspects of the project:

• Action 5 thanks to collaboration with the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, bibliographic and market research concerning the use of boron and lithium for the project purposes was completed. Moreover, the mixtures of raw materials to use for the preparation of flux powders were also defined and allowed melting tests to be performed in a laboratory kiln. Characterization of the resulting test pieces followed this phase. To date, the action has concluded in a positive way and the planned goals have been achieved;
• Action 6 the tasks began with grinding tests on boric frits performed by out-sourced expert consultants (Colorobbia S.p.A.) and the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. At the present time, better grinding media (alumina balls) have been found, but the best dimensions for the balls to use in the current tests are still being researched. The grinding and homogenization phases have also begun.
• Action 7 this action, which commenced during the month of December 2011, is currently in progress. In collaboration with out-sourced consultants, the internal technical personnel are collecting and analyzing the data obtained from the experiments performed by out-sourced consultant Colorobbia S.p.A.

The main goals planned for the next months concern:

• preparation of the definitive project for the grinding system (action 6);
• definition of the grinding process (action 6);
• beginning of the construction work for the grinding system (action 6);
• beginning of the draft process for the modifications required by the frit kiln (action 7);
• beginning of the draft process for the modifications required by the processing cycle (action 7);