Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PEPLUM (Development of a fully customised, repairable and recyclable polypropylene umbrella that is easy to assemble)
Período documentado: 2019-02-01 hasta 2019-05-31
An estimated 1.5 billion umbrellas are discarded annually across the world. A first reason is that umbrella repair services no longer exist; as a result, even when only one component breaks down, the entire umbrella is thrown away. Moreover, being composed of different materials that are difficult to separate, their recycling is also complicated and expensive. As a consequence, throwing them out and landfilling becomes the easiest option of disposal. But this means that hundreds of thousands of tons of metal and fabric are unnecessarily wasted, contributing significantly to the pollution of our planet.
Our project PEPLUM proposes an umbrella that, being entirely made of a single polymer, is first of all 100% recyclable. Furthermore, the patented arm (made of a single piece of flexible material with integrated joints), combined with a considerable reduction in the number of parts (from 130 in traditional umbrellas to just 25) and the ease of assembly (thanks to the use of snap-fit joints) allows users to reuse the still working components by replacing the damaged ones only, making it the world’s first "easily repairable” umbrella. This means savings on purchase for end-users while avoiding the dumping of broken umbrellas whose materials often end-up in seas and oceans.
Our project PEPLUM proposes an umbrella that, being entirely made of a single polymer, is first of all 100% recyclable. Furthermore, the patented arm (made of a single piece of flexible material with integrated joints), combined with a considerable reduction in the number of parts (from 130 in traditional umbrellas to just 25) and the ease of assembly (thanks to the use of snap-fit joints) allows users to reuse the still working components by replacing the damaged ones only, making it the world’s first "easily repairable” umbrella. This means savings on purchase for end-users while avoiding the dumping of broken umbrellas whose materials often end-up in seas and oceans.
Over the course of FS, we assessed the technical requirements, risks and mitigation measures to take PEPLUM compact, pocket and fixed repairable models to TRL9. We also performed an FTO Analysis, successfully confirming the unique characteristics of PEPLUM. Validation of the commercial feasibility involved analysis of market opportunities, development of a commercial plan and commercial risks and mitigation measures. Finally, we did a projection of future revenues, expecting a positive ROI since year 2 of commercialization.
Through our website and global distributors, PEPLUM offers a trendy, customizable, eco-sustainable, 100% recyclable and fully “easy repairable” umbrella which allows end users to save on the purchase of new umbrellas (on average 2 per season per person), having a much lower impact on the environment and reducing, at the same time, a huge waste of material.