The study's conclusion is that our technology should be embedded in mainstream solutions in order to be adopted by the market. That implies a step back in the PAI positioning - from the present TRL 7 (demonstrated in operational environment) as a stand-alone solution, to TRL 4 (Lab validated) or even 3 (Experimental Proof of Concept) – when it comes to integrating it as a component in a mainstream solution.
It also changes the company’s business model, from a product manufacturer to a technology provider, implying revenue from services and licensing instead of physical products. That in turn implies a much leaner operation and lower equity requirements.
Work Tasks and Results:
->Technical solutions study (Task 3.1 1). Main Results: Mapped our relevant added value elements to the main solutions.
->Market study (Task 3.1 1). Main Results: Modified Positioning and Value Proposition; Revised Business Model; Market Segmentation, Size and potential revenue.
->Technology Acceptance reach-out (Task 3.1 2). Main Results: Invited to join an emissions control research group of a leading EU academic institution and two automotive manufacturers (formal conclusion in December);
Joined the dominant policy influencer / certification body as member; Discussions with several environmental agencies.
->Business Partners Feasibility – Emissions Control (Task 3.1 3). Main Results: Prepared technical assessment report and submitted for assessment to two 1st tier system providers, four global filter manufacturer and two OEM with in-house filtering solutions. Initial feedback is acted upon.
->Manufacturing Feasibility (Task 3.1 3). Main Results: Manufacturing study performed with a leading automotive parts manufacturer, evaluated in detail the manufacturing of the PAI, computed detailed Capex and Opex (costing).
->Find partners accredited to perform emission measurements and validate the solution effectiveness (Task 3.1 4). Main Results: Prepared a detailed test plan and consulted two EU accredited research and certification labs.
->Academic & Industry Workshop (Task 3.1 5). Main Results: Agglomeration workshop performed at an academic research centre (post-doc level) with industry representatives, leading to further commitments from all stakeholders.
->Find prospective customers (Task 3.1 6). Main Results: Initiated one prototyping project targeting a petrol car engine; The retrofitting offering was considered as interesting but insufficiently mainstream.
This feedback led to reassessing and changing our business model.
->Write the business plan and feasibility report (Task 3.1 7). Main Results: Feasibility Report and Business Plan.
