4FOLD Reduction of the International Transport of Empty Containers by Folding

Projektinformationen

4FOLD

ID Finanzhilfevereinbarung: 650677

DOI

10.3030/650677

Projekt abgeschlossen

EK-Unterschriftsdatum 30 September 2014

Startdatum 1 Oktober 2014

Enddatum 31 März 2015

Finanziert unter

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Smart, Green And Integrated Transport

Gesamtkosten

€ 71 429,00

EU-Beitrag

€ 50 000,00

Koordiniert durch

HOLLAND CONTAINER INNOVATIONS NEDERLAND B.V.
Netherlands

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - 4FOLD (4FOLD Reduction of the International Transport of Empty Containers by Folding)

Berichtszeitraum: 2014-10-01 bis 2015-03-31

Zusammenfassung vom Kontext und den Gesamtzielen des Projekts

Context: €25 billion a year is spent on repositioning empty containers. The proposed solution is the 4FOLD foldable container. A bundle of four folded 4FOLD’s has the same dimension as one standard container, reducing empty transport movements and emissions up to 75%.

Objective: Assess the feasibility of a successful market introduction of the 4FOLD container in Europe and convert the findings into a detailed market implementation roadmap.

Arbeit, die ab Beginn des Projekts bis zum Ende des durch den Bericht erfassten Berichtszeitraums geleistet wurde, und die wichtigsten bis dahin erzielten Ergebnisse

Feasibility Study:
• Task1 Technical feasibility of commercial production of the 4FOLD; HCI worked out an assembly plan for production and a maintenance plan for operations. These plans have led to a drastic reduction in cost price.
• Task2 Commercial feasibility of sales of the 4FOLD; Based on discussions with several prospects HCI created a mathematical tool (http://www.hcinnovations.nl/calculate.php) to calculate the savings, and developed a business model to speed up market introduction.
• Task3 European consortium for market launch; during the project, HCI spoke to a lot of market parties and created a list with over 50 prospects/potential partners, from different market segments.
• Task4 Business plan; Together with the SME coach, HCI developed a business plan, in which a roadmap is implemented on how to become a success in the European market within 3 years.

Fortschritte, die über den aktuellen Stand der Technik hinausgehen und voraussichtliche potenzielle Auswirkungen (einschließlich der bis dato erzielten sozioökonomischen Auswirkungen und weiter gefassten gesellschaftlichen Auswirkungen des Projekts)

Lower costs resulting in higher margins
A calculation tool is online, prospects can use their own data to fill in the tool and directly see savings to be made by using 4FOLD. Results show a possible increase of the European container users’ profit margin and also a reduction in carbon footprint.

New prospects/partners
Several European parties would like to cooperate with HCI in a consortium to set up trials with 4FOLD.

Market implementation plan
• Better understanding of clients' needs; HCI developed a marketing plan tailored for the conservative container industry.
• Better knowledge about marketing methods; HCI created a model for easily quantifying benefits of using 4FOLD.
• Better understanding of technical issues; Plan is made for efficiency and ease of maintenance.

4Fold project image of a bundle of four folded 4FOLD’s

4Fold project image of the 4Fold container

4Fold project image pilot 4Fold container

4Fold project image demonstration of the 4Fold container