Compax - smart waste compactors (SWC) for indoor applications

Project Information

COMPAX - SWC

Grant agreement ID: 884453

DOI

10.3030/884453

Project closed

EC signature date 13 November 2019

Start date 1 December 2019

End date 31 May 2020

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

COMPAX SOLUTIONS AS
Norway

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - COMPAX - SWC (Compax - smart waste compactors (SWC) for indoor applications)

Reporting period: 2019-12-01 to 2020-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Accumulation of paper towels in public restrooms result in poor waste disposal utilization and waste overflow, leaving the room unpleasant and filthy for the user. Today, as much as 20–40% of all waste volumes originated from public or commercial buildings are generated by paper towels. Using regular waste bins, the plastic bags are disposed prematurely, i.e. before the volumetric potential is fully utilized. This gives rise to unnecessarily large quantities of plastic bags getting expended, containing more air than paper towels. Frequent disposal of waste bags results in large costs associated with cleaning and waste management of indoor public areas.

Compax Solutions develops a state-of-the-art smart waste compactor (SWC) for paper waste, which will make indoor waste management more efficient, cost-saving and more environmentally friendly. The patent-pending technology of the SWC reduces the volume of paper towel waste up to 10 times, while at the same time collecting valuable information from sensors to be visualized. The SWC will improve both the utilization of volume in the waste bins implying reduced number of plastic bags consumed, and enhance and optimize the working experience for building operators.

The overall objective of the project was twofold; (1) to develop prototypes to be tested in its natural environment in collaboration with a demanding customer and (2), to investigate and develop a commercialisation and go-to-market strategy viable for the European market.

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

Compax Solutions has achieved several milestones both technically and commercially. As part of the project the team has developed eight prototypes of the SWC, whereas three of the have been tested at Circle K and five of the have been used for continuous robustness testing. In addition, the team have managed to come far in developing and concluding of our initial commercialization strategy going forward, including marketing strategies, business models and price points of the product.

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)

The project has laid a solid foundation for further develop of the product and increased knowledge about customer preferences. During the project period, Compax Solutions has also managed to secure further funding from investors, giving Compax Solutions the financial resources to take the SWC to market. Compax expect to finalies the first sales-ready version of the project during 2020, and start sales in early 2021.