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FORSTERK-Forsterkningsmidler

Customer-centric Production through Open Innovation for Norwegian Industries

Awarded: NOK 1.00 mill.

The CusProNOR project is to increase awareness of using open innovation platforms and small scale demonstration units in their production processes among Norwegian industries, where customer-centric production is important (e.g., FMCG, Paint, food, drink, etc) and encourage them to take part in open innovation projects established under EU H2020 project (DIY4U). Special focus will be made on process and chemical industries, which involve processing of particulate solids and liquid formulation in their manufacturing processes and high potential to use fablab facilities developed under DIY4U. This approach will bring relevant stakeholders (producers, equipment providers, system designers, research institutes, engineering companies, etc) together, making strong networks to find business opportunities in large and small scale (SME's) through research and collaboration projects.

As outcomes of the project activities, the project partners could make a good network aiming EU projects in national and international level. Starting from consortium setup, 3 EU applications were made during the project period; 2 coordinated by SINTEF and one with a leading role (leader of 2 work packages) assigned to SINTEF. Norwegian industries were involved in all EU applications. The details are provided in the final project report.

The EU H2020 project, DIY4U, which is coordinated by SINTEF, focuses on digitalizing and transforming European industries and services involved in the formulation, production and supply of particulate (solids) and liquid-based Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) across the technical breadth of the industry, enhancing the innovation capacity and competitiveness of the European market sector. The project will address the blockers of product customization and small-scale manufacturing by developing an Open Innovation (OI) digital B2B/B2C platform and small-scale automated manufacturing machines (fablabs) for collaborative design and production of personalized/customized products. The lack of relevant digital infrastructure and efficient small-scale manufacturing facilities limits product personalisation/customisation in Norwegian industries. The transition from large-scale ‘factory’ manufacturing via industrial companies of the Do It Yourself (DIY) approaches will be able to use in stimulating the creation of transformative engineering solutions in national level industries in Norway. The knowledge developed in the DIY4U project can be utilized to address the above needs of Norwegian industries and relevant production processes. The project aims to raise awareness of the DIY4U approach among Norwegian industries, especially focussing on customer-centric productions, encouraging Norwegian industries in international collaborative R&D projects, expanding their competitiveness in international business areas. A series of seminars, workshops and conferences will be arranged to achieve above targets together with the other Norwegian partner in the DIY4U project, Cody AS, inviting international experts in FMCG sector (industries, academia and research institutes), broadening and strengthening international networks and collaboration, encouraging Norwegian Industries their participant in EU, EEA and other international research projects and funding calls.

Funding scheme:

FORSTERK-Forsterkningsmidler

Funding Sources