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.
