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

Información del proyecto

4FOLD

Identificador del acuerdo de subvención: 650677

DOI

10.3030/650677

Proyecto cerrado

Fecha de la firma de la CE 30 Septiembre 2014

Fecha de inicio 1 Octubre 2014

Fecha de finalización 31 Marzo 2015

Financiado con arreglo a

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Smart, Green And Integrated Transport

Coste total

€ 71 429,00

Aportación de la UE

€ 50 000,00

Coordinado por

HOLLAND CONTAINER INNOVATIONS NEDERLAND B.V.
Netherlands

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

Período documentado: 2014-10-01 hasta 2015-03-31

Resumen del contexto y de los objetivos generales del proyecto

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.

Trabajo realizado desde el comienzo del proyecto hasta el final del período abarcado por el informe y los principales resultados hasta la fecha

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.

Avances que van más allá del estado de la técnica e impacto potencial esperado (incluida la repercusión socioeconómica y las implicaciones sociales más amplias del proyecto hasta la fecha)

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