Plastics for Zero Emission https://plastics4zeroemission.ch/ Tue, 12 Mar 2024 13:48:11 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://plastics4zeroemission.ch/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/cropped-Google_Icon_Mini_Favicon-32x32.png Plastics for Zero Emission https://plastics4zeroemission.ch/ 32 32 Conference on “Exploring Negative Emission Technologies in the Plastic Industry”, 6 June 2024 @Empa https://plastics4zeroemission.ch/conference-on-exploring-negative-emission-technologies-in-the-plastic-industry/ Tue, 12 Mar 2024 13:45:15 +0000 https://plastics4zeroemission.ch/?p=31328 The post Conference on “Exploring Negative Emission Technologies in the Plastic Industry”, 6 June 2024 @Empa appeared first on Plastics for Zero Emission.

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As various industries are beginning their journey towards net zero, we invite you to gain insights into existing approaches to mitigating CO2 emissions in different sectors and to explore novel and innovative ideas for achieving carbon removal beyond emissions reductions. We aim to bring together established industry players, scientists, and start-ups in order to exchange thoughts and discuss ideas for advancing the industry towards net zero together. In addition, you will have the chance to visit NEST – the modular research and innovation building of Empa and Eawag where new technologies, materials and systems are tested, researched and further developed under real conditions. Finally, alumni and current participants of the Innovation Boosters “Zero Emissions Plastics” and “Carbon Removal” will share their experiences of participating in the program and developing radical ideas.

«Plastics for Zero Emission» is supported by Innosuisse. Leading House is Composites United Switzerland, partners of the Innovation Booster are the Swiss Plastics Cluster and KUNSTSTOFF.swiss.

REGISTER

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]]> Ideation Workshop for Call 4 in Lausanne is in the books https://plastics4zeroemission.ch/ideation-workshop-for-call-4-in-lausanne-is-in-the-books/ Wed, 22 Nov 2023 10:23:00 +0000 https://plastics4zeroemission.ch/?p=31194 The post Ideation Workshop for Call 4 in Lausanne is in the books appeared first on Plastics for Zero Emission.

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The Ideation Workshop for the 4th Call took place on 8 November at Tibits in Lausanne. More than 40 participants from industry and academia accepted the invitation and were able to experience a very constructive workshop with excellent food under the methodical guidance of Bambooster.
During the workshop, new project teams were able to form initially and look at various approaches to solving the problems presented.

The fact that both the workshop itself, the location and the food were excellent was evident not only from the numerous personal discussions on site, but also from the questionnaires that were analysed.

In the next step, the individual project teams will prepare to pitch their ideas to an independent jury of experts. If successful, the teams will receive a funding commitment of CHF 25,000 and can start work immediately.

 

 

 

 

 

«Plastics for Zero Emission» is supported by Innosuisse. Leading House is Composites United Switzerland, partners of the Innovation Booster are the Swiss Plastics Cluster and KUNSTSTOFF.swiss.

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]]> Noriware Success Story – Redefining sustainable packaging https://plastics4zeroemission.ch/noriware-success-story-redefining-sustainable-packaging/ Fri, 06 Oct 2023 08:49:20 +0000 https://plastics4zeroemission.ch/?p=31110 The post Noriware Success Story – Redefining sustainable packaging appeared first on Plastics for Zero Emission.

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Noriware, a Swiss start-up founded in 2022, has emerged as a beacon of hope in the fight against plastic pollution. Equipped with a ground-breaking technology developed in collaboration with ETH Zurich and FHNW, Noriware set out to revolutionise the packaging industry. Their goal? To find a long-term and sustainable solution to the global plastic problem. Their weapon of choice? Algae-based packaging materials that can be 100% composted at home, and in an unprecedented timeframe. Noriware’s journey began with a serendipitous encounter in Mexico, where HSG student Jessica Farda noticed an abundance of algae on the beach. This simple observation gave her an idea. Could algae be the answer to our plastic problem? Jessica returned to her studies and immersed herself in research on the potential of algae as a sustainable resource for bioplastics. In the humble surroundings of her kitchen, she conducted experiments that would lead to a potential breakthrough in the search for environmentally friendly packaging. In September 2021, she joined forces with the Department of Materials Science at ETH Zurich, providing important expertise in materials science. In May 2022, Jessica’s path took a decisive turn when she met her co-founder Stefan Grieder, resulting in a collaboration with the Institute of Plastics Technology and Engineering at the FHNW thanks to the Innovation Booster “Plastics for Zero Emissions” award, adding essential expertise in polymer chemistry and engineering. In September 2022, Noriware AG was officially founded in Aargau and, with the substantial support of the Aargau Research Fund, the cooperation with the University of Applied Sciences continued. In May 2023, the start-up founders succeeded in securing a pre-seed financing round of over 1 million Swiss francs, enabling them to expand their own laboratory infrastructure in Lupfig, Aargau, and launch larger pilot projects with industry partners. With the support of Professor Dr. Markus Grob and Prof. Dr. Christian Brauner, Noriware is well on its way to even greater success. Noriware will continue to expand its product portfolio and contribute to a sustainable future. The company is on its way to redefine the packaging industry and to stimulate a change in corporate thinking for the benefit of the environment, people and the economy.

«Plastics for Zero Emission» is supported by Innosuisse. Leading House is Composites United Switzerland, partners of the Innovation Booster are the Swiss Plastics Cluster and KUNSTSTOFF.swiss.

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]]> Preventing FOD during composite layup and avoiding material waste https://plastics4zeroemission.ch/preventing-fod-during-composite-layup-and-avoiding-material-waste/ Thu, 22 Jun 2023 07:13:19 +0000 https://plastics4zeroemission.ch/?p=30845 Beyond Gravity produces cylindrical, conical and ogive-shaped structures made from prepreg for space applications. Several measures are already in place to minimize Foreign Object Damage (FOD) risks and to ensure that only high-quality parts are produced. The Innovation Booster project aims to develop a detection system to prevent FOD during the composite layup process used […]

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]]> Beyond Gravity produces cylindrical, conical and ogive-shaped structures made from prepreg for space applications. Several measures are already in place to minimize Foreign Object Damage (FOD) risks and to ensure that only high-quality parts are produced.

The Innovation Booster project aims to develop a detection system to prevent FOD during the composite layup process used in the production of functional composite panels. The system helps to avoid the waste of materials and to reduce the negative impact on the environment during production. Ultimately, this Beyond Gravity project seeks to offer even higher quality control, a reduction of material waste and an increase of the overall efficiency in the production of composite parts for space applications.

Picture: Demolding of a Payload Fairing after bonding process © Beyond Gravity Services AG

Call 3

Three project ideas were selected in the third call of the Innovation Booster «Plastics for Zero Emission». The teams will be supported with CHF 25,000 to further develop the solution idea.

Implementation partner of this project is Beyond Gravity, science partners are Inspire AG and the OST Institute for Materials Technology and Plastics Processing IWK.

«Plastics for Zero Emission» is supported by Innosuisse. Leading House is Composites United Switzerland, partners of the Innovation Booster are the Swiss Plastics Cluster and KUNSTSTOFF.swiss.

Interested to join Call 4 as an Implementation Partner? Click here for further information.

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]]> Recycled carbon fibres for Sports Industry https://plastics4zeroemission.ch/recycled-carbon-fibres-for-sports-industry/ Wed, 14 Jun 2023 12:40:57 +0000 https://plastics4zeroemission.ch/?p=30790 Implementing a thermoset resin winding process with recycled carbon fibre yarn should help reducing the CO2 emissions for the raw materials by up to 90% compared to virgin fibres. Tubular winded products, as intended to produce in this project, can be used in a wide range of sporting goods, e.g. as bicycle frames, ski poles […]

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]]> Implementing a thermoset resin winding process with recycled carbon fibre yarn should help reducing the CO2 emissions for the raw materials by up to 90% compared to virgin fibres. Tubular winded products, as intended to produce in this project, can be used in a wide range of sporting goods, e.g. as bicycle frames, ski poles or hockey sticks.

Winding of recycled discontinuous fibre yarn combines the advantages of the winding process together with the excellent mechanical properties of carbon fibres. In a cost efficient, fast, automated and reproducible process, lightweight products can be manufactured with stiffness and strength close to such products made from virgin fibres. This Innovation Booster project implemented by V-Carbon will create a starting point for a widespread application of recycled carbon fibres yarn in sporting goods application and other market segments in the future.

Picture: Sample plate made from recycled carbon fibre yarn for evaluation of mechanical properties. © V-CARBON GmbH

Call 3

Three project ideas were selected in the third call of the Innovation Booster «Plastics for Zero Emission». The teams will be supported with CHF 25,000 to further develop the solution idea.

Implementation partner of this project is V-CARBON, scientific partner is the Institute of Polymer Engineering of the FHNW.

«Plastics for Zero Emission» is supported by Innosuisse. Leading House is Composites United Switzerland, partners of the Innovation Booster are the Swiss Plastics Cluster and KUNSTSTOFF.swiss.

Interested to join Call 4 as an Implementation Partner? Click here for further information.

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]]> Call 3: Top solution ideas for the challenges submitted https://plastics4zeroemission.ch/call-3-top-solution-ideas-for-the-challenges-submitted/ Wed, 17 May 2023 14:32:17 +0000 https://plastics4zeroemission.ch/?p=30740 «Composites Layup Optimisation for Resource Efficiency in Space Industry», «Alternative Raw Material to Carbon Black» and «Second Life Carbon Fibers for Sports Equipment» were the problems formulated as challenges in Call 3 and worked on at the Ideation Workshop at the FHNW in Windisch. Three teams with promising ideas on how to solve the challenges […]

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]]> «Composites Layup Optimisation for Resource Efficiency in Space Industry», «Alternative Raw Material to Carbon Black» and «Second Life Carbon Fibers for Sports Equipment» were the problems formulated as challenges in Call 3 and worked on at the Ideation Workshop at the FHNW in Windisch.

Three teams with promising ideas on how to solve the challenges were formed. «We had a high quality of input and ideas across the board – and not only during the workshop, but also during the breaks, where there was lively and focused discussion. I’m very pleased about that,» says Stève Mérillat, head of the Innovation Booster «Plastics for Zero Emission». The three companies Beyond Gravity, Sika and V-Carbon, which submitted the challenges, are now continuing to work with the interdisciplinary teams on the solution ideas in order to develop projects from them. In the next step, the Innovation Booster will support selected projects with CHF 25,000 each.

The next Call for Challenges has already been opened and will once again enable Swiss companies to submit a challenge or problem as implementation partners. Together, we will sharpen and formulate these into challenges, which we will then make known to potential idea finders in our network and beyond. At the next Ideation Workshop, ideas for solving the challenges are developed.

Composites United Switzerland leads the Innovation Booster «Plastics for Zero Emission», partners are the Swiss Plastics Cluster and KUNSTSTOFF.swiss. The Innovation Booster is supported by Innosuisse.

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]]> Invitation to Ideation Workshop Call 3 https://plastics4zeroemission.ch/invitation-to-ideation-workshop-call-3/ Thu, 27 Apr 2023 09:07:08 +0000 https://plastics4zeroemission.ch/?p=30696 16 May 2023, 9-17h; FHNW, Building 6, Room 6.-1D13 (Foyerraum B); Bahnhofstrasse 6, 5210 Windisch Get together with other participants from university and research institutes, suppliers and service companies and start-ups, choose a challenge submitted by our implementation partners and develop initial ideas for solving the problem. Form teams to continue working on the solution […]

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]]> 16 May 2023, 9-17h; FHNW, Building 6, Room 6.-1D13 (Foyerraum B); Bahnhofstrasse 6, 5210 Windisch

Get together with other participants from university and research institutes, suppliers and service companies and start-ups, choose a challenge submitted by our implementation partners and develop initial ideas for solving the problem. Form teams to continue working on the solution together. The whole process is supported by Bambooster through their Bamboostar online coaching academy, personal coaching and facilitation of the ideation workshop.

The challenges are submitted by the Implementation Partners:

  • Beyond Gravity
  • Kunststoffwerk AG Buchs/Svismold
  • Sika
  • further challenges are presently being finalised

We are looking for radical ideas whose feasibility must first be tested to solve the challenges.
We support the teams with the most promising solution ideas with CHF 25’000.-

The participation in the ideation workshop is free of charge.
The number of participants is limited, register now to secure your spot!

More information and registration

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]]> CU Switzerland: New Managing Director appointed https://plastics4zeroemission.ch/cu-switzerland-new-managing-director-appointed/ Thu, 23 Mar 2023 13:09:44 +0000 https://plastics4zeroemission.ch/?p=30606 Composites United Switzerland is the Leading House of the Innovation Booster «Plastics for Zero Emission». At last week’s extraordinary board meeting, the CU Switzerland board members discussed the succession of the retiring managing director Stève Mérillat. We are very pleased to have found a solution that ensures the continuity and quality of the management. Theo […]

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]]> Composites United Switzerland is the Leading House of the Innovation Booster «Plastics for Zero Emission». At last week’s extraordinary board meeting, the CU Switzerland board members discussed the succession of the retiring managing director Stève Mérillat. We are very pleased to have found a solution that ensures the continuity and quality of the management. Theo Sandu will become the new Managing Director of Composites United Switzerland from 1 June 2023, while also serving as Head of the Innovation Booster «Plastics for Zero Emission».

Theo Sandu has already been working at CU Switzerland since February 2017, since last year also as Deputy Managing Director, and is responsible for business development. With Theo, we are relying on an existing force that not only has a lot of industry know-how and experience, but is also very familiar with the processes within Composites United, the largest German-speaking network for fibre-based multi-material lightweight construction.

Christian Brauner, President Composites United Switzerland

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]]> Sulzer technology at heart of Indaver’s Plastics2Chemicals plant https://plastics4zeroemission.ch/sulzer-technology-at-heart-of-indavers-plastics2chemicals-plant/ Tue, 21 Mar 2023 10:49:54 +0000 https://plastics4zeroemission.ch/?p=30598 The new Plastics2Chemicals plant will drive polymer circularity by using Sulzer separation technology to reclaim and purify 30,000 tonnes of plastic waste per year. The resulting pure chemical feedstock can then be reused in manufacturing. Click here for further information Sulzer Chemtech took part in one of our previous calls, looking for innovation in the […]

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]]> The new Plastics2Chemicals plant will drive polymer circularity by using Sulzer separation technology to reclaim and purify 30,000 tonnes of plastic waste per year. The resulting pure chemical feedstock can then be reused in manufacturing.

Click here for further information

Sulzer Chemtech took part in one of our previous calls, looking for innovation in the field of sustainable polymers. As one of our funded projects, their objective was to apply design thinking starting by formulated end user demands for sustainable fibre solutions backwards to the spinning process, back to new biobased polymers.

Together with Mammut Sports Group AG and the Institute of Polymer Engineering at the Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz FHNW they tackled their challenge “Melt spinning of sustainable fibres for belts and straps in outdoor applications”.

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]]> Change in the management of CU Switzerland https://plastics4zeroemission.ch/change-in-the-management-of-the-innovation-booster/ Fri, 10 Mar 2023 09:40:18 +0000 https://plastics4zeroemission.ch/?p=30548 After ten successful years, Managing Director Stève Mérillat is leaving Composites United Switzerland, the leading house of the Innovation Booster «Plastics for Zero Emission». Theo Sandu, Deputy Managing Director, will continue to work for CU Switzerland, thus ensuring continuity in the supervision of projects. The management of the Innovation Booster «Plastics for Zero Emission» also […]

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]]> After ten successful years, Managing Director Stève Mérillat is leaving Composites United Switzerland, the leading house of the Innovation Booster «Plastics for Zero Emission».

Theo Sandu, Deputy Managing Director, will continue to work for CU Switzerland, thus ensuring continuity in the supervision of projects. The management of the Innovation Booster «Plastics for Zero Emission» also remains guaranteed. Until the end of May, Stève Mérillat will continue to be your contact in his function as Managing Director of CU Switzerland and Head of the Innovation Booster.

The Board of CU Switzerland thanks Stève warmly for his tireless and competent commitment to our material and our industry – and to the Innovation Booster «Plastics for Zero Emission».

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