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

Informazioni relative al progetto

4FOLD

ID dell’accordo di sovvenzione: 650677

DOI

10.3030/650677

Progetto chiuso

Data della firma CE 30 Settembre 2014

Data di avvio 1 Ottobre 2014

Data di completamento 31 Marzo 2015

Finanziato da

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Smart, Green And Integrated Transport

Costo totale

€ 71 429,00

Contributo UE

€ 50 000,00

Coordinato da

HOLLAND CONTAINER INNOVATIONS NEDERLAND B.V.
Netherlands

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

Periodo di rendicontazione: 2014-10-01 al 2015-03-31

Sintesi del contesto e degli obiettivi generali del progetto

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.

Lavoro eseguito dall’inizio del progetto fino alla fine del periodo coperto dalla relazione e principali risultati finora ottenuti

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.

Progressi oltre lo stato dell’arte e potenziale impatto previsto (incluso l’impatto socioeconomico e le implicazioni sociali più ampie del progetto fino ad ora)

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