ProEnviro invests SEK 17 million in three environmental projects
The Board of the ProEnviro research programme has decided to award funding for three projects to promote product realization with a focus on reducing environmental impacts. This first wave of projects is expected to get under way in February 2007.
The three companies that have now been given funding are: Midsummer, based in Kista, which will be collaborating with the Chalmers University of Technology in Göteborg. Midsummer has been awarded SEK 6 million over two years to develop a new manufacturing process for thin-film solar cells. Small-scale trials have already been carried out, and the aim now is to develop a commercial-scale production process. Project manager: Sven Lindström, tel: +46 8 525 09 610, e-mail: sven.lindstrom@midsummer.se SVA, in Tyringe, has been granted SEK 5 million over three years. In collaboration with the Faculty of Engineering at LundUniversity, SVA will be developing both a new product and a method for the manufacture of gear cutting tools. The project partners will be seeking to achieve shorter lead times and recyclable cutting tools. Another aim is that the new process will reduce energy use and the quantities of chemical-based cutting fluids required in gear cutting operations.
Project manager: Mats Wennmo, tel: +46 451 599 32, e-mail: mats.wennmo@sva-ty.se
Seabased Industry, in Uppsala, has been awarded SEK 6 million over three years. Working with researchers at UppsalaUniversity, the company will be seeking to develop a commercial process and logistical model for the production of wave energy plants. A prototype has been built and is currently undergoing field trials. Wave power could prove an excellent complement to wind power.
Project manager: Björn Bolund, tel: +46 18 472 30 92, e-mail: bjorn.bolund@seabased.com
In all, 14 proposals were received from small and medium-sized enterprises in response to ProEnviro´s first call. They were assessed by a Scientific and an Industrial Council. The scientific level and innovativeness of the proposals were important criteria in the scientific appraisal, while the strategic and commercial assessment of the bids focused on improved environmental performance and industrial relevance. All the projects are based on collaboration between industry and a university or institute.
For further information, please contact:
Lars Frenning, Programme Director, ProEnviro
Telephone: +46 8 505 816 79
lars.frenning@proenviro.se
About ProEnviro
The ProEnviro programme is an investment in innovative research ideas in the area of product realization, with a focus on improving environmental performance and enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises. It is backed by the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research (Mistra) and the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF). ProEnviro has an overall budget of SEK 60 million and will run until the end of 2009.
Read more about ProEnviro here
