Sustainable reindustrialization: Prestudy for research and demo facility for smart die casting

Purpose and goal:

The project has had the character of a feasibility study to investigate the best conditions for a research center for sustainable casting. The goal of the project has been to produce a detailed operating model and action plan for the establishment of a national research and demonstration facility. The project has created a basis for what will be required for such an effort to both benefit Swedish industry and at the same time have a solid financing plan for long-term development. This has, among other things, done through dialogue with similar existing centers in Europe.

Expected results and effects:

The project has resulted in a basis that can be used to move forward towards a potential investment of a center for sustainable casting. The basis can be used for other similar ventures as a guide for what to think about and how centers in Europe and to some extent the rest of the world have done. A center around sustainable casting will both contribute to Swedish industry´s development opportunities and competitiveness, i.a. by using the center for training new staff.

It may also contribute to increasing the interest of international companies to cooperate with Sweden. Approach and implementation:

The study has been carried out in collaboration between research institute, academia and industry partners where everyone´s experience has served as input. The institute and academia have experience in running research-intensive equipment, while the industry has been decisive when it comes to calculation of reasonable utilization rate, relevant equipment, business model, possible services and research projects.

Dialogue has been held with similar international centers to identify success factors, e.g. in terms of collaboration between institutes, academia and industry.