Ekowasher Graffiti Blaster - A Closed-loop system for Environmentally Optimized Cleaning and Decontamination

Project Information

EWGB2000

Grant agreement ID: 837635

DOI

10.3030/837635

Project closed

EC signature date 19 November 2018

Start date 1 December 2018

End date 31 May 2019

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

EKOWASHER SWEDEN AB
Sweden

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EWGB2000 (Ekowasher Graffiti Blaster - A Closed-loop system for Environmentally Optimized Cleaning and Decontamination)

Reporting period: 2018-12-01 to 2019-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The environmental costs of graffiti removal procedures make them far more expensive than the financial estimations may express. An ordinary graffiti removal procedure requires many cubic meters of drinking water. Waste water is spread around contaminating ground water and causing high exposure of humans (especially children) and animals to the hazardous aerosols.
Currently water shortages affect at least 11% of Europeans and in 20 years from now, global water demand is likely to exceed water supply by 40%. As a result, prices for drinking water might significantly rise. The cleaning industry companies are searching for efficient tools that would balance the rising environmental requirements with their economic efficiency.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The feasibility assessment has been divided into technological component and market component. In the technical part, we have analysed which constructional modifications can be implemented into the device to lower COGS. We have also looked into further op-timisations that would facilitate vertical expansion of the business to related industries with similar needs.
In the market part of the study, we have performed in-depth market investigation includ-ing user need assessment, pricing and competition analysis. We have also updated our financial projections.
The environmental costs of graffiti removal procedures make them far more expensive than the financial estimations may express. An ordinary graffiti removal procedure requires many cubic meters of drinking water. Waste water is spread around contaminating ground water and causing high exposure of humans (especially children) and animals to the hazardous aerosols.
Currently water shortages affect at least 11% of Europeans and in 20 years from now, global water demand is likely to exceed water supply by 40%. As a result, prices for drinking water might significantly rise. The cleaning industry companies are searching for efficient tools that would balance the rising environmental requirements with their economic efficiency.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Graffiti Blaster is a product that can experience fast growth on the market due to the com-bination of the following features:
• The generic approach – Ekowasher is suitable for the removal of all types of spray paints. Moreover, the heating module can be powered by natural gas in-stead of diesel, so our system is suitable for both outdoor and indoor graffiti re-moval.
• Almost zero water consumption – our washer uses approx. 250 litres of water per cleaning cycle, but the water consumption is practically zero. Wastewater pro-duced during the removal process is efficiently collected, purified and reused.
• The agility and mobility of the water purification system – the system is ready to use in minutes after reaching the destination. The system can be quickly moved from one place to another with a small trailer (see picture), or it can be a built-in system in a small van. Both advantages may lead to reduced prices for the graffiti removal service and thus raising their competitiveness.
• Environmental safety - contrary to other available solutions, Ekowasher does not spill the wastewater around, and therefore it does not contaminate the groundwa-ter or the water sewage system.
• Health safety –Ekowasher eliminates the exposure of people (employees, citi-zens, children) to hazardous aerosols (water with paint residues and chemical solvents for removing the graffiti).
• Quality of life – Ekowasher offers more rational handling as the graffiti removal companies do not need to fence-off large areas to perform their job.

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