IRC

Success Stories of the Innovation Relay Centre network

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a selection of successful transnational technology transfers

The Innovation Relay Centre network is supported by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enterprise as part of the Innovation and SMEs programme.

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Success Stories

Published by: IRC-IRE Central Unit - May 2002

Address: Route de Thionville 89-91 L-2611 Luxembourg Tl. +352 441012 2200 Fx. +352 441012 2055 [email protected] http://irc.cordis.lu/

Legal notice: Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on behalf of the European Commission is responsible for the use that might be made of the information contained in this publication. Any information given does not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Commission. In this regard, it should be noted that the information provided is considered to be of a preliminary nature and users should contact the competent authorities and other public or private organisations for more detailed information or for advice on particular courses of action.

© European Commission, 2002 Reproduction is authorised, provided the source is acknowledged.

Printed in Luxembourg

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New working methods to enhance the

26 Successfully integrating disabled workers.

PRIMA Trondheim, a Norwegian manufacturing company approached IRC Norway to help it find better production and quality control know-how for its disabled workers. IRC Southern Europe eventually directed IRC Norway to PROMI in Spain, an organisation that had the required expertise. Both IRCs have acted as facilitators in this project, from the initial technology audit to assistance with negotiations.

Companies have traditionally provided their disabled

visualisation of the material flow through drawing lines

workers with a sheltered environment that is closely

on the floor. PRIMA took this idea of visualisation and

supervised, especially in the case of the manufacturing

simplified and visualised its material flow, and their sto-

industry. A new IRC project challenges this practice, and

res. In this way the workers could better understand the

suggests that disabled workers be given much more

whole production process and help to manage it.

freedom and responsibility, to the added benefit of their

These principles introduced by PROMI were adapted,

employers.

developed and implemented in PRIMA Trondheim as a

PROMI is a non-governmental organisation in Spain that

result of the co-operation. PROMI therefore benefits

carries out various activities on behalf of the disabled,

from promotion of its know-how and the further deve-

including training, education, research and employ-

lopment of its management methods, and PRIMA is

ment. It has a research facility at the University of

increasing competitiveness through a more efficient

Cordoba, ‘Centro de Investigacion en Minusvalías’ (CIM),

workforce. But the big plus factor for employees is that

which has expertise in organising and managing disab-

disabled workers have grown in self-esteem by opera-

led workers. PROMI has also gained valuable experience

ting more autonomously and relying on their own

in the Spanish furniture industry and in the manufactu-

talents.

re of the ‘Buomo’ car, specially designed for wheelchair drivers. PROMI was a very useful discussion partner for

IRC branches co-operate

PRIMA Trondheim and had a decisive role in the research

The origins of this project can be traced to pre-existing

project ‘Profunk’ that was being carried out by PRIMA

links within the IRC network. It looks as if the personal

Trondheim in collaboration with SINTEF, a Norwegian

contact between members proved to be very valuable in

research institute based at Trondheim.

this case. “We were already aware from staff exchanges with other IRC branches that expertise in this field exis-

Self-management

ted in Spain,” says John Arne Bjørgen, manager of IRC

‘Profunk’ aimed to find and implement new methods to

Norway. “Therefore IRC Norway asked SINTEF to assist

increase the participation of disabled workers in pro-

PRIMA Trondheim in finding a potential partner in the

duction and quality management and which, at the

country. The IRCs also looked to various research institu-

same time, increase company competitiveness. A key

tes and the business community to identify a suitable

element of the success of the new methods implemen-

candidate. Although the resources of the whole

ted in PRIMA Trondheim has been the formation of self-

European IRC network were available for this search,

managed groups, where the disabled workers manage

staff at IRC Southern Europe particularly recommended

the production of a group of products in cells. Disabled

PROMI in Spain. This was an organisation with which

workers are trained and encouraged to manage them-

they were already very familiar. Therefore we asked

selves – quite a radical concept. Some of the groups have

them to run an audit of its background history, techno-

operated efficiently over a long period, almost entirely

logy and know-how. The result was the discovery of a

without external supervision. One interesting example

very suitable partner. The next step was to arrange a

of a management principle that PROMI used, was the

meeting in Cordoba between representatives from

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lives of the disabled

27

The origins of the transnational transfer of know-how can be traced to pre-existing links within the IRC network.

PRIMA Trondheim and PROMI and the project manager

force. But there could be another – helping refugees

from SINTEF. The technical co-operation agreement was

and displaced people entering Europe who are unable

signed at this meeting, which took place in October

to speak the language of the workplace. In a very real

2000.”

way, they too are disabled. These new methods could

Encouraged by the positive results of this IRC co-opera-

accelerate their integration into the community.

tion, PRIMA Trondheim began looking for another part-

The aspect of the new techniques that addresses people

ner in a new proposal for an EU-funded (EUREKA)

with impaired reading or language skills is the simplifi-

research project called AQUAS (Available Quality and

cation and better accessibility of quality control infor-

internal control Systems). If approved for funding, the

mation. SINTEF found in its research that much of the

project is scheduled to begin in January 2002. The

quality control information that manufacturers issue –

Swedish company, Samhall, was identified and subse-

often in large quantities – is wasted in practice because

quently agreed to join PRIMA Trondheim, PROMI and

people simply do not read the instructions. To overcome

SINTEF in the proposal. “Actually, this came about

this, information regarding quality is presented in a

through a suggestion from IRC Norway,” explains

visual and readily available way, for instance as charts or

Jimena Acedo of SINTEF. “We happened to be having

diagrams, or even colourful cartoons.

talks with IRC Norway about funding for the new pro-

“The feature that stands out from this project is the

ject when they suggested we contact this company.”

improved quality of life in the working environment of

Potential applications

disabled workers,” says Bjørgen. “This could have an

The new methods to present information regarding

important impact on the European economy. What we

quality and internal control that will be developed in

have right now is a kind of laboratory, in an area where

this project could eventually be used on a much wider

need for reform is most pressing, testing out new

scale. There are two possible applications. The obvious

concepts about how information should be conveyed. If

one is to provide more efficient employment for the dis-

successful, these ideas may ultimately change working

abled and to integrate them better in the general work-

practices in general.”

Contact Information John Arne Bjørgen IRC Norway TEFT Tl. +47 73 59 69 58 Fx. +47 73 59 12 99 [email protected] http://www.sintef.no Rafael Camacho Fumanal IRC Southern Europe Instituto de Fomento de Andalucía Tl. +34 95 417 92 10 Fx. +34 95 417 11 17 [email protected]

Jarle Johnsen Prima Trondheim Tl. +47 7395 7300 [email protected] Federico Alonso Trujillo PROMI Tl. +34 957 520 112 [email protected] http://www.promi.es/

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of the Innovation Relay Centre network

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IRC network map

Reykjavik

Umea Trondheim

Helsinki

Kista Tartu

Mölndal

Riga

Glasgow Belfast

Copenhagen

Sunderland

Vilnius

Dublin

Coventry Cambridge Cardiff Bristol

Lille

Teltow/Berlin

Hannover

The Hague

Canterbury

Mülheim an der Ruhr Brussels Jambes

Leipzig

Warsaw

Wroclaw Krakow

Wiesbaden Luxembourg Nürnberg

Prague

Paris Rennes

Stuttgart

Nancy

Bratislava Vienna

Dijon

Budapest Lausanne

Limoges Lyon

Ljubljana Milano Torino

Bucharest

Oviedo Bologna

Bilbao Marseille

Pisa

Porto

Sofia Saragossa Barcelona Roma

Madrid

Valenzano

Oeiras

Seville

Alicante Athens Catania

Lefkosia

Tel-Aviv

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INDEX There are currently 79 listed Success Stories. The full texts can be consulted online at:

http://irc.cordis.lu/success/

1. Making bacteria back off Ireland/United Kingdom 2. Taking the waste out of wastewater Spain/Portugal 3. Fast clean-up for wastewater Germany/United Kingdom/Belgium 4. IRCs swing into action when the heat is on Sweden/Bulgaria 5. Cast in a better mould Greece/Germany 6. Small-scale hydropower in Europe Finland/Germany 7. Going digital Germany/Greece 8. Bulgarian furniture maker benefits from the IRC international approach Bulgaria/Sweden 9. Cleaning up in Europe Germany/Netherlands

15. Swedish and Norwegian IRCs help sandblasters to improve safety Sweden/Norway 16. Dispersal at your disposal Germany/France 17. European SMEs make a sound agreement France/Greece/United Kingdom 18. Software opens a new window of opportunity Germany/Hungary 19. Innovative post-bleaching means ‘greener’ cotton Greece/Portugal 20. Two-step welding improves district heating systems Sweden/Finland/Austria 21. Looking ahead pays energy dividends Netherlands/Sweden 22. Testing plants for virus infections Germany/France 23. Ball-bearing collaboration races ahead Germany/Hungary

10. Pressed for space Greece/Germany

24. IRCs make the Balkan connection Greece/Bulgaria

11. IRCs ensure it’s OK for lift-off United Kingdom/Norway

25. Detecting genetically modified ingredients in food Germany/France

12. The smell of success Greece/France

26. IRC helps companies tap into new markets for recycled plastics United Kingdom/Netherlands

13. New working methods to enhance the lives of the disabled Norway/Spain 14. Lithuanian know-how for German SME Germany/Lithuania

27. They’re on a roll Germany/United Kingdom 28. Opening the Door to global markets Austria/Germany

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29. IRC Rhône Alpes Auvergne: A rapid reaction force France/Belgium

41. Environmentally friendly lubricating oils from new crop France/Germany/Italy

30. French IRC organises industrial mission from Brittany to Iceland France/Iceland

42. French IRC taps the potential of local industry France/Netherlands/Belgium /Sweden

31. More than skin deep Germany

43. Advanced silicon sensors will make crash-test dummies smarter Germany/Austria/Finland

32. IRC Upper Austria takes lead role in helping furniture makers cut costs Austria/Denmark

44. Developing new markets for automotive air management systems Germany/France

33. Transporting more freight for lower costs Austria/Germany

45. Transferring advanced space heater technology Netherlands/Germany

34. Not just a load of old rubbish Greece/United Kingdom

46. Transfer of advanced welding technology takes the pressure off divers Spain/Germany

35. A good bean is a dry bean Italy/United Kingdom 36. Brain implant to restore hearing in the profoundly deaf Spain/United Kingdom 37. Spanish and Finnish IRCs help improve paper recyclability Spain/Finland 38. Mapping the environment Denmark/Iceland 39. Aluminium boats make light work for fishing Finland/France 40. Joint venture company to manufacture electrical monitoring equipment Finland/Ireland

47. SEABAIT – developing a new type of aquacultureUnited Kingdom/Italy/Portugal/Spain 48. Welding together technology suppliers and usersUnited Kingdom/Germany/France 49. Using computers to sell ceramics Italy/Spain/France 50. Brokering at the bourse Belgium/France 51. Optimised coatings improve tool life Germany/France/Portugal/United Kingdom 52. Italian technology helps Swedish SME develop air treatment markets Sweden/Italy

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53. The goat milk dossier France/Italy

67. Automatically controlled bending of metal sheets Austria/Germany/Netherlands

54. Managing to Keep European industry on schedule Portugal/Belgium/United Kingdom

68. Photo-voltaic cells: an innovative technology Germany

55. University helps design world-beating rheometer Spain/Germany

69. Neural networks take the guesswork out of maintenance Finland/United Kingdom

56. Abattoir on wheels seeks world market Sweden/United Kingdom 57. Water fog dampens tunnel Fires Germany/Austria 58. Tracking technology for automotive sub-suppliers Sweden 59. Benefiting from the cutting edge of textile technology Italy/France 60. Desktop exporting for SMEs Italy/Portugal/France 61. Seafood with a difference Sweden/Norway 62. Laboratory puts hard-wearing coatings on trial Greece/France/Italy 63. Fireproof socks are a hit with workers Iceland 64. Designed to please – a new dental workstation Sweden/Germany 65. Italians provide sweetener for Spanish olive producers Italy/Spain 66. New method of chlorination in organic chemistry France/United Kingdom/Belgium

70. Technology flows south Finland/France 71. Solar roof for drying agricultural products Belgium/Netherlands 72. New diagnostic and therapeutic tools for pneumococcal infections Spain/Netherlands 73. A breath of fresh air for wind energy Spain/Italy 74. Spanish IRC helps consortium turn sewage into eco-friendly bricks Spain/Germany 75. Greek scientists and Dutch traders take science to the art world Greece/Netherlands 76. Go-faster stripes for Italian knitwear Italy/Germany 77. IRC helps new process control technology to market Portugal/Germany 78. Northern Sweden IRC helps take the toxin out of teeth Sweden/United Kingdom/France 79. All-round benefits of a winning idea Israel/Greece

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Find out more about the IRC network at http://irc.cordis.lu/ or by contacting the IRC-IRE Central Unit: Tl. +352 44 1 012 2200 Fx +352 44 1 012 2055 [email protected]

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CONTENTS Building Europe’s knowledge economy, brick by brick

5

Pressed for space Greece/Germany

24

Bulgarian furniture maker benefits from the IRC international approach Bulgaria/Sweden

6

New working methods to enhance the lives of the disabled Norway/Spain

26

Making bacteria back off Ireland/United Kingdom

8

The smell of success Greece/France

28

Fast clean-up for wastewater Germany/United Kingdom/Belgium

10

IRCs ensure it’s OK for lift-off United Kingdom/Norway

30

Lithuanian know-how for German SMEs Germany/Lithuania

12

Dispersal at your disposal Germany/France

32

IRCs swing into action when the heat is on Sweden/Bulgaria

14

Swedish and Norwegian IRCs help sandblasters to improve safety Sweden/Norway

34

Cast in a better mould Greece/Germany

16 Small-scale hydropower in Europe Finland/Germany

36

Going Digital Germany/Greece

18 Counting needles in haystacks United Kingdom/Sweden

38

Cleaning up in Europe Germany/Netherlands

20 All-round benefits of a winning idea Israel/Greece

40

Taking the waste out of wastewater Spain/Portugal

22 Complete Index of all available Success Stories

42

IRC Success Stories online

44

The 18 stories contained in this compendium are just a small selection of the total number of successful technology transfers brought about by the IRC network in Europe. The full success story selection can be consulted at:

http://irc.cordis.lu/success/

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FOREWORD

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Building Europe’s knowledge economy, brick by brick In the two years since the publication of the first printed compendium of IRC Success Stories, much has changed. The Innovation Relay Centre network itself has grown, and now includes 68 IRCs, with 250 offices and 1,000 experienced technology brokerage professionals. Covering all of the European Union’s Member States and candidate countries (Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia), as well as Iceland, Israel, Norway and Switzerland, it now serves a larger area than any other technology transfer network in the world. The network has also matured. Systems and professional skills have been refined, and links between IRCs have been strengthened, to provide thousands of client companies across Europe with a technology acquisition and technology marketing service that is fast, effective and tailored to their needs. At the same time, the IRCs’ operating environment has also evolved. Globalisation and the advent of the knowledge economy have sharpened demand for expert transnational technology transfer support. Few companies today can survive without looking beyond their national borders for customers and partners, and for the technologies they need to compete in international markets. This very rapid increase in the premium on new technological know-how places the IRC network at the heart of the European Research and Innovation Area to which EU ministers committed themselves at the Barcelona summit in March 2002. It also gives individual IRCs a key role as integral components of their own regions’ innovation systems. In fact, it is the network’s unique combination of local presence and international reach that characterises its service – whose practical effectiveness is demonstrated by the 18 new examples of its work that follow. In each case, two IRCs working closely together, as well as with client businesses in their respective regions, have facilitated a real exchange of technology. It is on the accumulated impact of many such specific transfers that Europe’s competitiveness as a knowledge-based economy depends.

Javier Hernández-Ros Head of the Innovation Directorate’s ‘Networks and services’ unit European Commission, Directorate-General for Enterprise