Abstract This paper reports on an initiative, funded in part by the European Union, to increase the level of awareness and use of ion implantation as an effective surface treatment, principally for tooling applications. A consortium comprising AIN (Spain), DTI (Denmark) and Imperial College (UK) was formed in 1991 and awarded a SPRINT (Specific PRojects for INtracommunity innovation Transfers) grant by the EU. Since then, the grant has been renewed twice, and has had a significant impact within the participating partners' countries. The project aims, by way of mailings, meetings, demonstrations, and seminars, together with a specially produced video and handbook of applications, to stimulate awareness within industry, with a view to increasing the use of ion-implanted tooling and the concomitant benefits of the technique. During the project, a preliminary letter and questionnaire were sent to a total of more than 7000 companies, selected on the basis of industrial sectors, including users of machine tools, plastic moulds, paper and textiles knives, etc. Emphasis was placed on tooling rather than components. The level of use and awareness was evaluated from the 5% response to the initial questionnaire, and these data were used to refine the targeting of subsequent mailings and contacts. In addition to the well-established niche applications, new areas are becoming apparent, including textiles and paper processing, machine tools for cutting composite and laminated materials, and stamping tools for sheet metal. Care was taken to emphasise that ion implantation is one technique amongst many, and comparisons were offered with techniques such as PVD, CVD and traditional surface modifications, recommending implantation in cases where it has distinct advantages over other techniques. As a direct result of this project, the level of awareness and commercial acceptance of the technique has increased within the participating countries, and it has been possible to identify possible new sectors. In addition, because the emphasis has been upon solving problems rather than applying one specific technology, the project has helped to emphasise the specific advantages of the technique, and has been positive in overcoming commercial reluctance, while avoiding competition with other treatments.