Periodic Reporting for period 3 - INNOMEM (Open Innovation Test Bed for nano-enabled Membranes)
Berichtszeitraum: 2023-05-01 bis 2024-10-31
INNOMEM has achieved its main goal: the development of a sustainable Open Innovation Test Bed (OITB) to foster deployment and scale-up of innovative nano-enabled membranes and their derived products, setting-up a Single-Entry Point (SEP) to provide the businesses in the sector with a one-stop-shop of the best available experts and technologies.
The development and organization of the OITB has marked a significant milestone as it was the first time an OITB fully dedicated to membrane technology was established. This initiative has demonstrated that there is a substantial structure in Europe capable of meeting the high demand for such services. By combining the expertise of different partners and countries, the OITB successfully addressed the needs of end-users. Fourteen pilot lines were upgraded, enhancing various aspects such as safety, productivity, and reproducibility. Additionally, a Sustainable Manufacturing Framework was implemented across all pilot lines. A comprehensive catalogue of services was created, encompassing both technical and non-technical offerings, including characterization, membrane manufacturing, modelling, and business support. In the realm of standardization, a CEN Workshop Agreement on the characterization and testing of membranes for gas separation applications was developed and is set to be published soon.
To facilitate easier access for SMEs and ensure the sustainable operation and commercialization of the OITB service offer, a Single-Entry Point (SEP) was established. VNTRS served as the SEP during the project, aiding in the implementation of a strategy focused on a business and customer oriented OITB. They also guided the selection of the type of entity to be used after the project and, together with TEC, planned a transparent governing structure for the OITB. EMI-TWENTE was chosen as the SEP for INNOMEM 2.0. The project generated significant interest and impact among SMEs, with 60% of the democase owners being SMEs and participation from 14 different SMEs across Europe.
The validation of the upscale and upgrade of pilots and services was achieved through ten different showcases, ensuring that all pilot lines and services were thoroughly tested. Two Open Calls were set up to validate the SEP and ensure the sustainability of INNOMEM. These calls were launched in two waves, with improvements made based on the experience gathered from the first wave. The first Open Call received ten applicants, while the second saw a 140% increase with 24 applicants. Ultimately, 27 democases were executed.
The development of democases was carried out in two waves, with improvements made from the first wave's experience. Seven democases were performed in the first wave, and 20 in the second wave. Customer satisfaction was reported to be very high, reflecting the success and effectiveness of the OITB's efforts.
The development and organization of the OITB has marked a significant milestone as it was the first time an OITB fully dedicated to membrane technology was established. This initiative has demonstrated that there is a substantial structure in Europe capable of meeting the high demand for such services. By combining the expertise of different partners and countries, the OITB successfully addressed the needs of end-users. Fourteen pilot lines were upgraded, enhancing various aspects such as safety, productivity, and reproducibility. Additionally, a Sustainable Manufacturing Framework was implemented across all pilot lines. A comprehensive catalogue of services was created, encompassing both technical and non-technical offerings, including characterization, membrane manufacturing, modelling, and business support. In the realm of standardization, a CEN Workshop Agreement on the characterization and testing of membranes for gas separation applications was developed and is set to be published soon.
To facilitate easier access for SMEs and ensure the sustainable operation and commercialization of the OITB service offer, a Single-Entry Point (SEP) was established. VNTRS served as the SEP during the project, aiding in the implementation of a strategy focused on a business and customer oriented OITB. They also guided the selection of the type of entity to be used after the project and, together with TEC, planned a transparent governing structure for the OITB. EMI-TWENTE was chosen as the SEP for INNOMEM 2.0. The project generated significant interest and impact among SMEs, with 60% of the democase owners being SMEs and participation from 14 different SMEs across Europe.
The validation of the upscale and upgrade of pilots and services was achieved through ten different showcases, ensuring that all pilot lines and services were thoroughly tested. Two Open Calls were set up to validate the SEP and ensure the sustainability of INNOMEM. These calls were launched in two waves, with improvements made based on the experience gathered from the first wave. The first Open Call received ten applicants, while the second saw a 140% increase with 24 applicants. Ultimately, 27 democases were executed.
The development of democases was carried out in two waves, with improvements made from the first wave's experience. Seven democases were performed in the first wave, and 20 in the second wave. Customer satisfaction was reported to be very high, reflecting the success and effectiveness of the OITB's efforts.
The consortium has successfully implemented the activities described in the work plan. Initially the work was focussed on the development and organisation of the OITB (upgrading the facilities and elaborating the specifications and services to be offered) as well as on setting-up the Single-Entry Point. Main achievements in the frame of these two work packages have been:
a) Development and organisation of the OITB (WP1)
- The definition of a relevant Sustainability Manufacturing Framework (SMF), as well as the diagnosis of the SMF in all 14 Pilot Lines (PLs) and the definition of improvement plans.
- Upscaling and upgrading of the 14 PLs in relation to production rate and in-line control.
- A catalogue of services was created including technical and non-technical services: characterization, membrane manufacturing, modelling, business support, etc.
b) Setting-up the Single-Entry Point (WP2)
- The definition of the SEP and its Business model.
- The SEP qualification scheme and quality assurance.
- The definition of the SEP governance model ensuring an open access of the OITB at fair conditions.
- Defining the SEP value proposition to materialise the offer of the SEP to the market (including a market analysis).
As part of the validation of the activities performed in WP1 and WP2, WP3 (Validation of OITB facilities, capabilities and services: Industrial Showcases) has successfully carried out 10 different showcases led by industrial partners related to Membrane business. Showcases were defined to validate the upscaling and synergies between all PLs. The methodology applied has been: 1) Definition of the value chain related to the showcase; 2) Development of the showcase; 3) Validation of the performances of the showcase; 4) Validation of the efficiency of the OITB to answer the showcase.
Following this internal validation the test bed services were open to entities outside the consortium. The whole process for these open calls were defined in the frame of WP4 (Validation of the SEP: set up of open calls) defined the whole process. Two waves of were launched improving from the experience gathered in the first one. Overall, there was 34 applicants and finally 27 Democases were executed in the frame of WP5 (Democase development). 60% of the democases owners were SMEs. The customer satisfaction was very high.
In parallel to the open calls and democases implementation, the consortium did an assessment of the level of implementation of the INNOMEM -SMF in the 14 PLs and improvement plans as well as on the OITB and SEP operation according to the lessons learned in the showcases and democases developments. The quality management process and customer relationship management were validated and precise exploitation strategy after INNOMEM (final offer of the OITB) was developed.
Finally, WP7 (Dissemination, clustering and exploitation) has been focused on disseminating and communicating INNOMEM project and services (including open calls), networking activities with other OITBs and projects to generate synergies between complementary initiatives. Dissemination and communication activities have been implemented along this WP. Internal and external communication tools have been developed and updated as well as communication material (i.e. 8 newsletters, updated version of the service catalogue). INNOMEM has been disseminated in social media. More than 30 contributions to various conferences and/or workshops have been made, 8 articles in scientific journals, 27 videos on democases. In addition, a standardization document on characterization and testing of membrane properties for gas separation applications has been developed.
a) Development and organisation of the OITB (WP1)
- The definition of a relevant Sustainability Manufacturing Framework (SMF), as well as the diagnosis of the SMF in all 14 Pilot Lines (PLs) and the definition of improvement plans.
- Upscaling and upgrading of the 14 PLs in relation to production rate and in-line control.
- A catalogue of services was created including technical and non-technical services: characterization, membrane manufacturing, modelling, business support, etc.
b) Setting-up the Single-Entry Point (WP2)
- The definition of the SEP and its Business model.
- The SEP qualification scheme and quality assurance.
- The definition of the SEP governance model ensuring an open access of the OITB at fair conditions.
- Defining the SEP value proposition to materialise the offer of the SEP to the market (including a market analysis).
As part of the validation of the activities performed in WP1 and WP2, WP3 (Validation of OITB facilities, capabilities and services: Industrial Showcases) has successfully carried out 10 different showcases led by industrial partners related to Membrane business. Showcases were defined to validate the upscaling and synergies between all PLs. The methodology applied has been: 1) Definition of the value chain related to the showcase; 2) Development of the showcase; 3) Validation of the performances of the showcase; 4) Validation of the efficiency of the OITB to answer the showcase.
Following this internal validation the test bed services were open to entities outside the consortium. The whole process for these open calls were defined in the frame of WP4 (Validation of the SEP: set up of open calls) defined the whole process. Two waves of were launched improving from the experience gathered in the first one. Overall, there was 34 applicants and finally 27 Democases were executed in the frame of WP5 (Democase development). 60% of the democases owners were SMEs. The customer satisfaction was very high.
In parallel to the open calls and democases implementation, the consortium did an assessment of the level of implementation of the INNOMEM -SMF in the 14 PLs and improvement plans as well as on the OITB and SEP operation according to the lessons learned in the showcases and democases developments. The quality management process and customer relationship management were validated and precise exploitation strategy after INNOMEM (final offer of the OITB) was developed.
Finally, WP7 (Dissemination, clustering and exploitation) has been focused on disseminating and communicating INNOMEM project and services (including open calls), networking activities with other OITBs and projects to generate synergies between complementary initiatives. Dissemination and communication activities have been implemented along this WP. Internal and external communication tools have been developed and updated as well as communication material (i.e. 8 newsletters, updated version of the service catalogue). INNOMEM has been disseminated in social media. More than 30 contributions to various conferences and/or workshops have been made, 8 articles in scientific journals, 27 videos on democases. In addition, a standardization document on characterization and testing of membrane properties for gas separation applications has been developed.
The main progress beyond the state of the art is the development of the sustainable Open Innovation Test Bed (OITB) to foster deployment and scale-up of innovative nano-enabled membranes and their derived products. A Single-Entry Point (SEP) has been set-up to provide companies across the businesses in the sector with a one-stop-shop of the best available experts and technologies.
The INNOMEM KPIs assessment is summarise hereafter:
a) Technical
- Membrane Productivity Improvement: >20%. Achieved: 20 to 1470%
- Membrane Verification Improvement: 30% faster. Achieved: 20 to 90%
- CO2 emission reduction per showcase: >40%. Achieved: > 40%
- Energy reduction per application: >40%. Achieved: >40%
b) Non-Technical:
- Number of Showcases: 10. Achieved: 10
- Number of Democases: 20. Achieved: 27
- Number of reachable SMEs: >100. Achieved > 23,000
- Number of reachable Investors: >300. Achieved: > 300
The INNOMEM KPIs assessment is summarise hereafter:
a) Technical
- Membrane Productivity Improvement: >20%. Achieved: 20 to 1470%
- Membrane Verification Improvement: 30% faster. Achieved: 20 to 90%
- CO2 emission reduction per showcase: >40%. Achieved: > 40%
- Energy reduction per application: >40%. Achieved: >40%
b) Non-Technical:
- Number of Showcases: 10. Achieved: 10
- Number of Democases: 20. Achieved: 27
- Number of reachable SMEs: >100. Achieved > 23,000
- Number of reachable Investors: >300. Achieved: > 300