Some examples for cooperative innovation projects between Technical University in Graz / Austria and the local Business A2B = Academia to Business Hans Schnitzer

UNCHAIN – UNiversity CHAir on INnovation UNCHAIN A2B - Business Partners SMEs from the manufacturing sector –Food processing –Metal treatment –Textiles –… Agriculture and Forestry –Agriculture wastes –Wood processing –Plants with specific ingredients (for pharmaceuticals and wellness) Other sectors –Hospitals –Tourism –Offices and public buildings …

UNCHAIN – UNiversity CHAir on INnovation UNCHAIN Arguments for business to cooperate SMEs don’t have research and development departments Universities do have access to latest knowledge and technologies Universities have national and international networks behind Universities have the necessary tools (Computer programs, labs, …) Good possibility for selecting new employees

UNCHAIN – UNiversity CHAir on INnovation UNCHAIN Arguments for Universities to cooperate with business Students are better prepared for work in industry Extra income for the University ??? Extra income for professors??? (if system allows or favors) University get well know in business and attracts good students

UNCHAIN – UNiversity CHAir on INnovation UNCHAIN Arguments for students to write their thesis in a A2B-project Learn how the “Real World” works Learn that their work has a practical relevance to the society Learn how to select a good job in future ??? Income ???

UNCHAIN – UNiversity CHAir on INnovation UNCHAIN Improving the material and energy use in car repair shops

UNCHAIN – UNiversity CHAir on INnovation UNCHAIN Eloxal Heuberger Electroplating (Aluminum), 20 employees, ISO Use of spray rinses, longer drain time, daily control of chemicals, reduction of the water consumption

UNCHAIN – UNiversity CHAir on INnovation UNCHAIN Water recycling and energy efficiency with a wire manufacturer

UNCHAIN – UNiversity CHAir on INnovation UNCHAIN Value added products from solid waste from wine production (oil from grape seeds) Production of oils from the “organic waste” grape seeds Feasibility study for the co-production of other valuable products –animal feed –cosmetics –wellness cooperation with local farmers, business and administration develop the necessary cooperation and networks for the support of small businesses

UNCHAIN – UNiversity CHAir on INnovation UNCHAIN Production of fine and bulk chemicals from green biomass electricity and heat Fractionizing raw material from fields Silo Aminoacids Food Cosmetics Pharma Lactic acid solvents cosmetics / pharma bio-polymers BIOGAS Multi-product system: sustainable products from sustainable resources Fibers insulation boards filters, etc. optional

UNCHAIN – UNiversity CHAir on INnovation UNCHAIN Solar Energy efficiency and solar thermal heat for a dairy

UNCHAIN – UNiversity CHAir on INnovation UNCHAIN EXPERT SYSTEM FOR AN INTELLIGENT SUPPLY OF THERMAL ENERGY IN INDUSTRY

UNCHAIN – UNiversity CHAir on INnovation UNCHAIN Holistic vision… …trough the EYE of Einstein Einstein’s approach An integral approach to energy efficiency Energy-in-industry.joanneum.at

UNCHAIN – UNiversity CHAir on INnovation UNCHAIN Plant: Tyras Location: Trikala (Greece) Solar field: 1040 m2 (flat plate) Process: dairy Working temp.: 80 ºC Source: CRES / Solenergy Hellas SA

UNCHAIN – UNiversity CHAir on INnovation UNCHAIN Constructed wetlands for waste water from food industries cheese sour vegetables fish

UNCHAIN – UNiversity CHAir on INnovation UNCHAIN Optimizing the production of biogas

UNCHAIN – UNiversity CHAir on INnovation UNCHAIN What we have learned It is difficult to build up trust on both sides (Universities and business) First small success stories help a lot First projects will not provide a big profit Universities have to find a system to reward A2B-cooperation for students and professors A2B is not scientific research and difficult to publish in good journals, since business looks for solutions not for reserach

UNCHAIN – UNiversity CHAir on INnovation UNCHAIN Conclusions Cooperation with Universities can lead to a competitive advantage for business The cooperation improves the ability of students to work in business Cooperation can take place in any field like engineering, management, preparation for audits, environmental protection, new products, quality control,… Students can be motivated to work for their country and feel responsible for the economic its development