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Description
The old and large-scale manufactures are not performing in accordance with consumer evolving needs. In order to be competitive, a long-term product strategy is required to anticipate the evolution of green manufacturing technologies and their capacity to deliver quality products without affecting productivity. Having this in mind the company has also added the research and development component to produce innovative products for the niche customer.
The aim of the projects consists in developing and implementing green production line processes with a research and innovation component focused on designing an innovative smart fabric and new textile products. The company performed an investment which consists in the modernization of the existing production facility by procuring last generation equipment (textile development and production).
The project multi-fold objective is to improve the competitiveness of the company on the international market, to green the production of textile products and smart fabrics by purchasing last generation machines, developing and implementing green production line processes, and realizing a research and innovation program focused on designing an innovative smart fabric and new textile products. The new investment will increase the quality and diversification of the current textile products. Also, engaging in a research and innovation process for developing minimum 2 innovative textile products (including a smart fabric) will secure an entry in a niche market (welfare and health) in the coming years.
Summary of project results
1. Two new patented products in the applicant’s portfolio:
1.1 The smart fabric: that is able to discriminate the pressure applied to its surface, to model the pressure pattern and to send appropriate alerts towards a priori defined users (nurses, care-givers, doctors, etc).
1.2 The new textile design/material: achieved with the properties (3000 to 10000 mmcolH2O - compared to the conventional coating) in terms of breathability, waterproofing, and functionality.
2. More efficient production processes as a result of investing into a greener production line:
2.1 Product lifecycle assessment realized and implemented by the partner
2.2 Green production line assessed and functional
3. Increase of raw material re-use/recycling by 30% by 2021 (approx. 5.71 tones)
At the middle of 2021 (period January 2021-June 2021) the promoter already had 26,76 tons of recycled/re-use of raw material.
4. Reduction of 4% (approx. 5000 kg) of yearly material consumption achieved
5. Reduction of 2.5% (approx. 5600 liters) of yearly water consumption;
The investment into water recycling system 5.3l/ml ( 2017) vs 4.4 l/ml in 2021 as a result of own investment is an approximative 17% reduction
6. Reduction of 10% (approx. 1100 liters) of yearly fuel consumption achived.
7. An increase in the company’s turnover and market competitiveness
Summary of bilateral results
The partnership has been useful and could continue especially regarding the Promoter efforts on achieving a full sustainable production and on the request from Scandinavian market for developing new applications generated by the new 2 products in their portfolio.Developing a waste management flow/plan (under item 1) able to handle securely the process and to be capable of re-using components of raw materials (re-introducing in production flow – circular economy) has proven to be need for the company and useful component. With the support of IDN Norway the promoter started an important cooperation with Fiizk company(https://fiizk.com/en/). Discussions and enquiries have been carried out which are related to aquaculture textile membranes (for fish enclosures) starting from the current new textile materials developed under the project. The discussions were held with Mr. Jan Henning Rysjedal - R&D Director.Future market access as a result of the project:- to the Norwegian market – awaiting the smart fabric patent as this will create the opportunity to go further into the healthcare markets;- Norwegian companies that make anti flooding equipment;- new prospects on using the recycled textile raw material and use the recycled wire;- potential cooperation with the German company to develop new products on breathable textile for campervans;- Stimepex – COVID 19 patient transportation and isolation vehicles/devices cars (izolete)