Industry Europe – Issue 32.2

VOLUME 32/2 – 2022

NASA

THE MICROPHONE SOUNDING OUT MARS

AMISCO ELECTRIC PERFORMANCE

GAMA -

REVOLUTIONISING

SPACE TRAVEL

EDITORIAL

STEVENGISLAM

|

Reasons to be cheerful: Some glimmers

of light in these uncertain times A

s humanity continues its trend of lurching from one crisis to the next, ticking off another of the Four Horsemen boxes as we go, the latest print edition of IE focuses of those glimmers of light that, despite it all, are making great strides to improve the world in which we live.

And what could be more upbeat, more life-affirming, than helping disabled pets walk again, and improving our own quality of life? The medical applications of 3D printing are far-reaching and still in relative infancy, and as such this incredibly versatile technology is the first of our focuses in this edition.

The first 3D printing story looks at a project in Poland that has given disabled animals the ability to move freely again. The project, a collaboration between the company Zortrax and a fifth-year veterinary student at the Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, has seen the use of the technology to print tailor-made prosthetic limbs for pet dogs.

While the printer does the heavy lifting, the fine-tuning to each animal’s individual needs is done by hand, and the dogs seemed to grow used to walking normally again in a remarkably short space of time.

From pets in Poland to surgery in the States, the second story looks at a partnership between South Carolina’s 3D Systems and New Jersey healthcare firm Enhatch that is producing bespoke medical devices and integrating them into smart surgery networks. The implants could be used in cranial or orthopaedic surgeries, making them fit better in the patient, minimising the changes to a patient's looks that reconstructive surgery can cause and increasing overall longevity of the implant itself.

Read the Focus on 3D printing section on page 6.

Our next focus is on the rapidly burgeoning space industry, the modern manifestation of the urge for exploration. The desire to reach the stars has long been part of our collective consciousness. From our ancient ancestors’ myriad myths, legends and stories built up by countless years gazing at a

night sky undiluted by light pollution, in 2022 it also represents humanity’s ultimate “just in case” backup plan.

Completing an idea first laid out by famed German astronomer Johannes Kepler in a 1608 letter to his Italian contemporary Galileo Galilei, French space startup Gama is working on the deployment of a solar sail with the aim of revolutionising space transport. A propulsion technology akin to solar panels on a spacecraft, the company claims that it can “enable speeds never reached before” and facilitate the exploration of the Solar System and beyond. Relying on the power of the Sun means that spacecraft no longer need fuel, making them lighter and faster, and expanding the edges of our reach in the vast unknown.

Our second Space Tech story looks at how a microphone developed by France’s ISAE-SUPAERO has allowed NASA to record the soundscapes of our nearest neighbour Mars. The project was born out of ongoing efforts to garner a better understanding of the Red Planet as we continue to explore.

Not only does the sound of Mars whet our curiosity, but the microphone can also help us to understand the properties of Martian rocks and atmospheric phenomena such as wind turbulence and dust devils. After all, if that backup plan becomes necessary, we’ll need all the information we can get.

Read the Focus on Space Industry section on page 8.

For our Focus on Technology & Innovation, we’re keeping our feet firmly on the ground and staying closer to home with the passing of the long-awaited EU Chips Act, a €43 billion investment scheme aiming to boost domestic chip production as the effects of the ongoing semiconductor shortage continue to bite.

Semiconductors represent a vital part of the energy and digital transitions, being necessary for the manufacture of a range of technologies from electric vehicles to robots to consumer electronics, with demand projected to skyrocket. Currently

valued at $550 billion, this figure will grow rapidly as the necessity for technology becomes greater.

The Act represents an understanding in Brussels that the entire continent is uncomfortably reliant on a sector dominated by two companies – TSMC and Samsung – both located in East Asia. The Commission has said the legislation will have a positive effect on all member states and the establishment of a domestic semiconductor industry will shield the bloc against future supply chain crises.

Read Inside the EU’s Chips Act on page 10.

This month’s final focus looks at the most pressing issue of our time – climate change and the progress of Europe’s largest three economies – Germany, the UK, and France - in the race to reach net-zero., As a topic, global warming can seem at times overwhelming, immense and, even sometimes, with so many figures and statistics to digest, a little on the dry side.

Compounding this of course is the dawning of the political reality of climate change. It is an issue that is dogged with accounts of greenwashing by big companies and used as a political football by political parties of all persuasions. The sometimes overzealous actions of climate activists eager to have their voices heard in an increasingly noisy media landscape coupled with doom-filled predictions of untold horror in the near future can also serve to turn people off the issue.

Our Road to Net-Zero series attempts to looks at where those three nations are at currently with their plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions and it’s not giving too much away to say that while it’s something of a mixed bag, there has been tangible progress. What remains to be seen is whether the Russian invasion of Ukraine will ultimately be a positive for the push to netzero, with a reduction in fossil fuel imports seeming inevitable, or whether it will be a stumbling block along the way.

Read the Road to Net-Zero series, starting with the UK on page 14, Germany on n page 16 and France on page 18.

Industry Europe 3

INDUSTRY EUROPE

CONTENTS Comment 3

Focus on 3D Printing

7

Editorial Manager Ash Jones Social Media Manager Elizabeth Gregory

How 3D printing is helping disabled animals walk Zortrax 3D printing bespoke medical implants 3D Systems

Managing Partner & Production Director Stephen Moore

Focus on Space

Operations & Finance Director Tania Balderson

Focus on Technology & Innovation

Head of Sales & Advertising Oliver Clements

Profile Writers Romana Moares Barbara Rossi Dariusz Balcerzyk Edina Beale Philip Yorke Emma-Jane Batey Eugenia Fiusco Piotr Sadowski

Editorial Reasons to be cheerful: Some glimmers of light in these uncertain times

6

Editorial Director Steve Gislam

8 9

10 14 16 18

Inside the EU's Chips Act

How close is the UK to its climate goals?

How close is Germany to its climate goals?

How close is France to its climate goals?

Aerospace & Defence 20

Aerospace & Defence news The latest developments in the sector

Chemicals & Biochemicals 24

Art Director Leon Esterhuizen

The French startup aiming to "revolutionise" space travel Gama The microphone helping NASA understand Mars NASA

Focus on Net-Zero

Sector Managers

Katarzyna Pozoga

VOL 32/2

Chemicals & Biochemicals news The latest developments in the sector

Construction & Engineering 28 32 36

Maximising the benefits of pneumatic automation Camozzi Automation Machined to perfection TOS Varnsdorf Construction & Engineering news The latest developments in the sector

Consumer Goods 38 42

Industry Europe

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Energy & Utilities 44

Energy & Utilities news The latest developments in the sector

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© Industry Europe 2022 No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form for any purpose, other than short sections for the purpose of review, without prior consent of the publisher.

Politics & Economics 60

Politics & Economics news The latest developments in Politics and Economics

Technology & Innovation 64 68

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70 74 78

On the right track Greenbrier Forestry’s cutting edge Ponsse Transportation news The latest developments in the sector

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Industry Europe 5

FOCUS ON – 3D PRINTING

HOW 3D PRINTING IS HELPING

DISABLED ANIMALS WALK

Disabled animals now have the chance to move freely again thanks to 3D printed prostheses developed

by Poland's Zortrax in collaboration with a fifth-year veterinary student.

by Ash Jones

M

aciej Szczepański, a student at the Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, has been using 3D printing processes developed by the company to tailor prosthetic limbs to the individual needs of the animal.

The student has helped Sonia and Leto, two dogs who lost their limbs in traffic accidents, regain some freedom of movement, with plans to aid other types of animals in the future.

3D printing has seen application in a number of sectors, from providing PPE to frontline workers during the pandemic to regrowing coral reefs. Some intrepid manufacturers have 3D printed houses and lunar pads. There are even murmurs it may soon find its way into the automotive sector, primarily to make car parts.

Maciej has had a chance to explore the field of animal orthopaedics during his course. Aside from aiding in surgeries, he has researched other methods of aiding animals with physical disabilities.

He claims the use of prosthetic limbs on animals is not as advanced in Poland as it is in countries such as the US. “I wanted to create prostheses that would improve the quality of life of an animal that will be using it", he said.

Maciej initially outsourced the project to help Sonia and Leto, but eventually decided to 3D print the prosthesis himself in order to increase autonomy - focusing on the project full-time.

6 Industry Europe

Using Zortrax's Inventure printer, a project is started by scanning the stump of the animal, which is then transferred to a modelling programme. It is then filled with ceramic plaster to create a mould before being 3D printed “All I have to do later is 3D print the prototype on my printer, which makes my work significantly easier, as I can print on the spot and check if my assumptions are correct. I don’t have to outsource this work anymore.

“The printer is easy-to-use and has an accessible and intuitive interface. It was my first contact with a 3D printer and I handled it without any problems".

Much of the cast is printed using the printer's default settings, and almost the entire limb is printed on the same printer.

Maciej claims to use a "hybrid support" option to save on materials.

Support structures for the limb are dissolved in post-processing, while the prosthesis itself is assembled by hand, with screws. The inside of each limb is layered

with cloth in order to reduce chafing and increase the dog's comfort.

“Thanks to 3D printing, I was able to create the tailored prostheses that suited the pet’s special needs. In the future, I would like to use the 3D printer to create other prostheses or repair the ones I have already produced", he concluded.

Zortrax claims Leto - one of the dogs - grew used to his new prosthetic quickly and began walking around normally within 15 minutes.

The entire printing process, from design to fitting, can be done in a little under three days.

While this serves as a success story and shows the versatility of 3D printing as a medium, Maciej wishes to continue to use additive manufacturing for this purpose once he has finished his studies.

He plans to launch a startup that will provide long-lasting support to animals with n orthopaedic problems.

Visit: https://zortrax.com

The 3D printed prostheses, before and after assembly. Credit: Zortrax

3D SYSTEMS TO PRINT BESPOKE MEDICAL IMPLANTS South Carolina-based 3D Systems and New Jersey healthcare firm Enhatch have partnered to 3D print bespoke medical devices and integrate them into the latter's smart surgery networks.

by Ash Jones

T

hese implants could see use in various cranial or orthopaedic surgeries, meaning potential reconstruction will not deviate too much from how the patient originally looked, will minimise the risk of implants not fitting, and could stand to increase its longevity.

The pair hopes devices catered to the needs of the patient will help reduce the overall time of medical procedures while minimising risk to the patient. Powered through an AI network, Enhatch claims its smart surgery system streamlines every part of medical care.

The company claims to be the first to offer this level of support through automation, which it claims can alleviate human error in planning and performing surgeries.

It claims to have planned around 140,000 surgeries with various medical professionals over the past decade With the merging of both companies' tech - bespoke 3D printed parts and an existing AI framework - the pair hope the systems in place will become more efficient and stand for a greater chance of success, which they hope can spark a revolution within the healthcare sector.

“Our partnership with Enhatch will enable us to deliver the healthcare industry’s most comprehensive approach to additive manufacturing,” said Menno Ellis, executive vice president, healthcare solutions, 3D Systems.

“Integrating these technologies and capabilities into 3D Systems’ surgical planning solutions will make processes more efficient,

trackable, and cost-effective. This is another step in our ongoing commitment to innovation that helps our customers remain at the forefront of medical device development and healthcare delivery," he added.

“Enhatch is proud to welcome 3D Systems to the Intelligent Surgery Ecosystem. Healthcare ecosystems have tremendous potential to disrupt and reshape the entire industry, leading to improved patient outcomes, faster, more accurate, and safer procedures," Enhatch CEO Peter Verillo said.

"Enhatch and 3D Systems have a shared goal of bringing surgeons and industry together with the best leading-edge technologies available." n Visit: www.3dsystems.com Visit: www.enhatch.com Industry Europe 7

FOCUS ON – SPACE

by Steven Gislam

THE FRENCH STARTUP AIMING TO "REVOLUTIONISE" SPACE TRAVEL More than 400 hundred years in the making, famed German astronomer Johannes Kepler's vision of sailing effortlessly through space could soon become a reality, according to Gama, a Paris-based aerospace startup.

T

he company has just secured €2 million in funding to deploy a solar sail in space, which it claims will "revolutionise" space transportation.

Solar sails are a propulsion technology, essentially not unlike solar panels attached to a spacecraft, that the company claims can "enable speeds never reached before" to explore the Solar System and beyond.

This first round of funding is to finance a demonstration mission: the deployment of a solar sail from a satellite launched by SpaceX. Gama says that other missions are to follow.

"Sailing" across space has long been a dream of many in the industry, from long before a space sector existed. In 1608, Kepler first theorised the possibility in a letter to his fellow Renaissance astronomer Galileo Galilei, and the idea of harnessing the Sun's energy to power a spacecraft was developed further in the 1970s.

Two of Gama's co-founders, Louis de Gouyon Matignon and Thibaud Elziere, met in 2020 after being connected by a research group, with a third, Andrew Nutter, as a self-described "space enthusiast and investor in numerous technology companies" joining later.

"In 1999, I wrote my school thesis on solar sails in partnership with French Space Agency (CNES) researchers. Since then, the passion has never left me and I had only one obsession, to go from theory to practice.

8 Industry Europe

"In 2020, I contacted a research group in France, the U3P (Union pour la Promotion de la Propulsion Photonique), who put me in touch with Louis, a young entrepreneur with the same dream," said Thibaud Elziere.

Solar sails work using photonic propulsion - a form of propulsion that uses the pressure produced by photons when they bounce off a reflective surface. This force is weak, but when applied to large surfaces, especially in space, can still propel an object.

"In the void of space, with no air friction, a continuous force (even a small one) applied to a spacecraft induces a constant acceleration and continuously increases its speed," said Jordan Culeux, technical lead for the first mission.

Similarly to maritime sailing, it is the position of the sail in relation to the rays of the Sun that will determine the trajectory of the craft. Also as with a conventional boa sail, it is possible to move away from the Sun but also to get closer by sailing “upwind”.

Unlike more conventional electric or chemical propulsion systems, which require fuel, photonic propulsion uses purely solar energy. This means that the spacecraft using such a propulsion system can be smaller and accelerated continuously with what the company describes as "a virtually infinite source of energy".

Gama claims that, as a result, its solar sails will bring down the cost of reaching more distant objects, and make it possible

to envisage new commercial or scientific missions to explore and even exploit resources in our Solar System.

"This is an emerging technology and there have only been a handful of successful solar sail projects so far. It is attracting the interest of the major space agencies and we are aware that NASA and JAXA (the Japanese Space Agency) are working on similar projects," said Louis de Gouyon Matignon.

The €2 million in first-round funding came from the French Public Investment Bank, BPI, the French Space Agency (CNES) as well as several space investors and entrepreneurs such as Nicolas Pinto of Apple, Marie Outtier of Twitter, Possible Ventures, Kima Ventures and Romain Afflelou of Cosmo Connected.

"Private companies are proving that space innovation can happen fast, unlocking vast commercial opportunities. We are delighted to have the support of the BPI, the CNES and some illustrious Business Angels to reach an important milestone," said Andrew Nutter.

"This mission will be followed by a second launch in 2024 at a higher altitude to deploy a larger sail and demonstrate control and the onboard navigation system. In 2025, we will become one of the very few to explore further, at significantly lower cost, with a n mission to Venus."

Visit: www.gamaspace.com

THE MICROPHONE HELPING NASA UNDERSTAND MARS As NASA's Perseverance rover continues to map the surface of Mars, it has for the first time been able to record the "sound environment" of the red planet thanks to a special microphone developed by France's ISAE-SUPAERO.

by Ash Jones

L

ocated on the SuperCam that juts out of the top of the rover, the analysis of the data picked up by the microphone is the latest in over a decade of research by the engineering school helping it to better understand the surfaces of rocky planets.

This marks a milestone in our understanding of other planets and their differences from Earth - a scientific first. The research was published in the Nature journal on April 4, 2022.

The microphone was developed as part of ongoing efforts to better understand Mars in a similar vein to its research into Earth's atmosphere and its interaction with rocky surfaces. It was designed to be able to survive in Mars' harsh climate and was in development for around five years.

Due to the atmospheric differences between Mars and Earth, several differences in how the microphone operates had to be made.

Firstly, the microphone is far smaller and thinner than a microphone any of us would

be used to. It is also made up of around 95% CO2 and has to allow for extreme temperature differences.

In essence, the microphone serves three major purposes: to understand the sound associated with the Perseverance's laser impacts on Martian rocks to better understand their properties; to help understand atmospheric phenomena such as wind turbulence, dust devils, and the wind’s interactions with the rover itself; and the sound signature of the rover’s different movements.

Dr Alexander Stott, a postdoctoral researcher at ISAE, revealed that the first sound the team heard was the wind on Mars.

"This is great because the wind sounds almost exactly like it does on the Earth," he said.

"We measured the sound speed on Mars, the wind at very high frequencies, as well as the attenuation (how sound is lost) of sound with distance."

While you cannot hear sound in the vacuum of space, the atmosphere and surface of planets mean that sound can travel, albeit differently than it does on Earth.

The team reported that the initial analyses of the red planet's atmosphere are "very promising".

David Mimoun, who headed the microphone project, said: "We have, for the first time, high-frequency measurements of the turbulence of the Martian atmosphere, a key parameter in Martian climatology models.

"More broadly, the data collected will allow us to do comparative planetology, that is to say, to develop models applicable to the planet Mars, to ultimately better understand its differences with Earth."

While continuing to monitor Mars' atmosphere, ISAE will continue to work with partners to map out other parts of our solar system, with Venus being its likely n next destination.

Visit: www.nasa.gov Industry Europe 9

FOCUS ON – TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

INSIDE THE EU'S CHIPS ACT Back in September 2021, EC President Ursula von der Leyen announced the EU Chips Act, a €43 billion investment scheme to increase domestic chip production in the wake of the global semiconductor shortage that has been gripping the world since late 2020.

by Ash Jones

I

t seemed at the time that she was looking to allow the EU's single market to counteract China's burgeoning economic dominance, and many of the top semiconductor suppliers were based out of East Asia, in countries such as Taiwan and South Korea - often thousands of miles away at a time where supply chain disruptions are common.

More recently, the Commission's Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager mentioned the Chips Act in her opening speech for EU Industry Days under the guise of dealing with "strategic dependencies" - resources susceptible to choke10 Industry Europe

holds and reliant on partners outside the European single market.

The EU has laid out the plans to increase chip production within the bloc, in a bid to double its market share by 2030. This faced criticism by German think tank Stiftung Neue Verantwortung (SNV) which suggested it was "doomed to fail" and that legislation should be put in place to rebuild the EU's entire chip production sector.

Regardless, semiconductors remain an important part of the digital transition, being essential for the production of consumer electronics, electric vehicles and robotics.

By 2030, the EU wants to produce 20% of the world's semiconductors and set up a fabrication plant to produce 2-nanometre chips which to aid in "twin transitions" digital and green - as it is known internally for the transport and tech sector, including pushes into AI and cloud-based software.

It was inspired by a similar move by US President Joe Biden to tackle the semiconductor shortage directly and ensure more chips are developed on US soil, which should see around $56 billion (a total investment exceeding $150 billion) in chip R&D until 2026.

Plans for gigafactories, such as the chip plant planned for Taylor, Texas, by South Korean tech giant Samsung have also begun to spring up.

It is worth noting that factories and fresh infrastructure to support chip development will take several years to conceptualise and build, further adding pressure to the time constraints of the project.

"The Chips Act is a major step in securing the EU's strategic autonomy for semiconductor manufacturing, and the Act is providing important public funding which should act as a catalyst for private funding which should support the strengthening of supply chains for chips", Giuseppina Bitondo, from the Commission's Department of Growth (DG Grow) said at an intervention during a panel on Strategic Dependencies at the 2022 EU Industry Days.

"The Act also outlines a government framework to ensure a more structured and coordinated monitoring of risks along the supply chains and an approach to tackle them", she added.

To Bitondo's credit, there has been some private investment into chipmaking in the bloc, most notably from Intel, who pledged a mammoth €80 billion in funding for European chipmaking over the next decade.

In a Communication outlining the Chips Act, the bloc admits the current supply of semiconductors is "global, complex, and, in some important segments, overly concentrated" remarking that two companies control most of the world's supply.

Brussels admits in the same document that rapid development into the scheme will be needed, lest the European market share in the semiconductor industry continue to dwindle.

The Commission believes these investments could have positive effects for all member states and claims it could help shield against similar future crises.

The chip shortage itself had several key causes, primarily a surge in demand for consumer electronics to cater for a mix of remote working and increased hobby adoption due to lockdowns, mixed with battered supply chains and trade decreases - all linked to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The concept of strategic dependencies has become a hot topic within Brussels of late.

With the energy crisis towards the end of last year linked to Russia and Nord Stream 2, or

Ursula von der Leyen first unveiled the EU Chips Act at her State of the Union Address on September 15, 2021.

concerns over raw material shortages, the chip shortage is far from the only challenge the EU is facing in this department.

But how should the EU tackle these challenges? Concerns have been raised that such dependencies could be used as political power tools.

"Dependencies have become 'strategic dependencies' and technologies have become 'sensitive technologies', while at the same time we see that global trade continues to grow and so it is important to find a balance between economic, political and security - to create a well-balanced approach", Rick Huisman, of the Netherlands' Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, told the same panel at EU Industry Days.

"This is why autonomous and resilience in dealing with these dependencies has become such a major issue within the EU and is at the heart on what we consider proper policy".

He believes allowing for market competition will bolster innovation and that having as many avenues for supply will make supply chains more resilient.

The global chip market is currently worth around $550 billion, and will only grow further as reliance on technology become greater. Roughly 15% of this is spent on R&D research next-generation technologies.

The EU also has an advantage in chip manufacturing due to its well-established chemicals sector which can make the production of chips easier and more advanced.

The supply of certain raw materials, such as silicon - often supplied from developing nations - could be a real concern, however.

In December 2020, 22 Member States signed a joint declaration on processor and semiconductor technologies, which could be considered the precursor to this bill.

The Commission itself recommends a "coordinated Union response to the current shortage" including efforts to monitor potential disruptions and weak points in the market and has set up an Expert Group to oversee implementation of the recommendation in a bid to cement the goals of the Chips Act and to oversee communication between the Commission and the Member States for the best course of action.

Realistically, significant investment and blocwide cooperation will be needed in order to meet the goals laid out by the EU Chips Act and both private and public investment will be needed to gather together the funds.

It could present an opportunity for the less-developed Member States to create jobs and bolster their economies while affecting the whole of the EU, but the plans laid out by the Chips Act could be considered a little too ambitious. n 11 Industry Europe

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Industry Europe 13

FOCUS ON – NET-ZERO

HOW CLOSE IS THE UK

TO ITS CLIMATE GOALS?

The first instalment in our "Road to Net-Zero": analysing how on-track nations are to achieving their climate goals and those laid out by the Paris Climate Agreement.

by Ash Jones

M

any nations across the globe have set goals to reduce active greenhouse gas emissions by 100% over the coming decades and strides towards sustainability have seen greater investment and support since the start of the millennium.

The UK likes to style itself as a "global leader" in decarbonising industry, passing legislation to reduce pollution and accelerate tech advancements that will enable a greener future. But how accurate are these labels?

Back in 2019, Theresa May's administration enshrined into law a target of net-zero by 2050 "at the latest" under the Build Back Greener scheme, unveiling its strategy for achieving these goals in October 2021. It has also set an interim target of reducing emissions by 78% of 1990 levels by 2035, which was raised in the face of the COP26 summit.

The UK is also targeting a 68% reduction in emissions by 2030, which is the target it presented to the UN, and the one it is currently bound to. Before this, the country had pledged to reduce emissions by 57% by 2030.

However, according to government projections from 2020 (available here), the UK was not on target to reach its 57% goal, let alone the revised figures. That said, recent 14 Industry Europe

policies (detailed below) could put it further on track.

Annual reports are expected on how the UK plans to fund and reach these climate goals. The 2050 target has been enshrined into UK law, being one of 13 nations - plus the EU - to do so.

However, it will not be targeting historical emissions, meaning carbon-negative industry is not currently a goal.

As a signatory of the Paris Climate Agreement, its goals should ideally align with preventing a global rise in temperature by 1.5°C, or 2°C at the very most. However, in March 2021, a UN report suggested current goals by most nations may not be enough to reach the 1.5°C targets.

The International Energy Agency (IEA), has a detailed rundown on the UK's goals.

Britain is planning to decarbonise its energy grid by 2035, install 5GW of hydrogen capacity by 2030, power UK homes with offshore wind - of which the UK's has the world's largest installed capacity, and make great strides in carbon capture and storage (CCS) tech over the next decade hoping to target 6 million tonnes of industrial emissions per year by 2030.

More specific details about the hydrogen economy and carbon capture tech - primar-

ily costs and why these goals are sufficient - have yet to be given. However, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has revealed the hydrogen economy "could be worth" around £900 million.

Carbon emissions from electricity generation dropped by approximately two-thirds between 2012 and 2020, according to a BEIS report, and the sector looks to be on track to achieve its targets.

The UK's most recent carbon budget is at 965 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent over the 5 years 2033 to 2037, referring to the maximum amount of emissions that can be pumped into the atmosphere within this time frame. For reference, in 2037 alone, the budget is 207 million tonnes.

The UK government has also called for netzero shipping by 2050. In early 2020, aviation executives also pledged to try and target netzero emissions within the same timeframe.

Perhaps more radically, the UK has vowed to ban the sale of all fully-petrol or diesel-powered cars by 2030 and trucks by 2040, which has seen some support from major automotive players.

Oil giant Shell acquired Ubitricity in January 2021 and later pledged to install 50,000 EV charging stations across the UK while a more recent scheme backed by

This graph shows the energy mix of renewable generation, based on data from the Climate Action Tracker report, updated with the best additional data through to the end of 2021.

automaker Vauxhall will look to encourage private charging station owners to rent out their hubs to EV owners. However, there are still concerns that more rural areas may not see enough charging stations, which could negatively affect the adoption of lowcarbon driving.

According to a live report of the National Grid's energy mix, renewable energy currently makes up 38% of the UK's energy generation, with wind energy taking up by far the largest share of the mix. BEIS data suggests renewables make up around 43% of the energy mix - increasing tenfold in a decade.

This graph shows the energy mix of renewable generation, based on data from the Climate Action Tracker report, updated with the best additional data through to the end of 2021. Note: Covid-19 had significant effects on energy mixes and fossil fuel supply chains went haywire, so take these numbers with a pinch of salt.

For reference, in 2009, renewables accounted for 3.8% of the energy consumed. In 2011, 9.2% of the energy generated was through "certified" renewable energy sources.

However, the UK has refused to set a carbon intensity target in line with the PCA. According to zerotracker.net, the UK is planning on using carbon offset credits, a term used to describe benefits from any scheme that reduces or removes CO2 from the atmosphere, which can be used to compensate for emissions from other sources such as planting trees to offset construction emissions - with no additional conditions.

Wildlife and Countryside Link, a UKbased coalition, has criticised the use of carbon offsets, claiming it could lead to industrial emitters getting "off the hook".

It also does not have separate emissions targets for emissions reductions versus emissions removal.

All this data does mean the UK is putting a decent effort in, but as many of these goals are a significant number of years away, true criticism cannot be levied until more reports come in.

Some sectors are also struggling to decarbonise. One of the more problematic sectors appears to be construction, but

transport is also facing issues - primarily in EV adoption, although 1-in-6 new cars in 2021 were electric, issues over available charging remain an issue, as well as the luxury nature of EVs. Construction is notoriously difficult to decarbonise and will likely rely on CCS technology to remove emissions. It also has other issues, such as air or noise pollution to tackle.

The UK leaving the EU has also led to methodological difficulties from watchdogs and analysts to properly assess the true extent of the UK's climate ambitions, according to Climate Action Tracker (CAT).

While it may to too early to tell for sure whether the UK is fully on track to achieve its net-zero goals, the most recent report from Climate Action Tracker (dated November 2021) suggests the plans laid out by the British government are "almost sufficient" to achieve carbon-neutrality by 2050 through policy and that its goals are "acceptable".

However, the report also finds that minimising land use and deforestation remains insufficient, and its climate finance remains "highly insufficient", even with the October climate action plan. It is also relying on offsets to handle reductions outside of its own borders.

"The newly announced measures are expected to result in significant emission reductions", the report states. "However, with the specific impact of many of them not yet quantified, and concerns remaining around the scale of specific measures, uncertainty remains whether they will enable the achievement of the 2030, 2035, and 2050 targets.

"Meanwhile, the UK government continues to support projects that will lead to greater future emissions, such as the expansion of Heathrow airport, and a wholesale expansion of the Strategic Road Network".

Both the government's hydrogen and building strategies have also raised concerns over the adequacy of measures whether they're sufficient enough to achieve the targets set out.

Onshore wind saw a 94% reduction in application between 2015 and 2018, according to CAT, but has seen a resurgence in 2020, while solar has always struggled, with slow rates in residential adoption.

There is also the matter of Hinkley Point C, the only nuclear station currently under construction. In late 2020, the government started scouting for the UK's first fusion plant, which has seen a number of suggestions to bolster local energy economies.

There is also Sizewell C, which has yet to begin construction.

It is also commonly thought that nuclear energy may be the only way to ensure the levels of generation needed for the transition to net-zero.

So, is the UK on track to achieve netzero? It's a mixed bag, but possibly. While some investments have been made and legislation put in place, the UK still has a way to go before it will be fully prepared for the transition. If the government manages to implement every plan for the energy transition, net-zero could be achieved, but other environmental factors, such as habitat destruction, litter and pollution may still be present.

It appears transparency on the viability of the UK's renewable sector leaves much to be desired - primarily clarification of why targets are acceptable and in line with the PCA. Setting goals is one thing, but achieving them is another thing entirely.

As it stands, the UK is currently not quite on track to achieve its climate goals, but greater investment and policy over the coming years could push it over the edge. n Industry Europe 15

FOCUS ON – NET-ZERO

HOW CLOSE IS GERMANY TO ITS CLIMATE GOALS?

The climate focus shifts to Germany in the second instalment of our "Road to Net-Zero" series, where we look at how on track different nations are to achieving their climate goals and those laid out by the Paris Agreement.

by Steven Gislam

G

ermany is often cited as being one of the world leaders when it comes to renewables and the energy transition, and while green investment has vastly increased in recent years, the reality is somewhat more complicated.

While it is one of 13 nations worldwide plus the EU - to have enshrined a climate target into law, Germany is still heavily reliant on coal, as well as natural gas. The picture is further complicated by the long-standing German aversion to nuclear power, which 16 Industry Europe

the former government pledged to phase out by this year.

A brief history of the 'Energiewende' In 2010, Germany initiated its 'Energiewende' plan. Translating as "Energy Turnaround", the initial plan focused on making power systems more efficient and supplied largely by renewable sources.

The project has since evolved and Germany currently aims to become greenhouse gas neutral by 2045, a target that includes

CO2, as well as other climate-damaging gases like methane and nitrous oxide. It has set preliminary targets of cutting emissions by at least 65% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, and 88% by 2040.

The Bundestag passed its first Climate Action Law in December 2019 as part of a broader climate package that the government had decided on earlier in the year. It was based on a promise made in the 2018 coalition treaty between then Chancellor Angela Merkel's CDU/CSU alliance and the Social Democrats

to bring in "a law that guarantees compliance with the climate targets for 2030".

Changes to the Climate Action Law became necessary following a ruling by the Constitutional Court in April 2021. The top court in Germany came to the verdict that the legislation was insufficient due to a lack of details in the plans for reductions beyond 2030.

"The challenged provisions do violate the freedoms of the complainants, some of whom are still very young," the court said in a statement, referring to the climate activist group that filed the complaint. "The provisions irreversibly offload major emission reduction burdens onto periods after 2030."

The legislation was amended and passed by both the Bundestag and Bundesrat in June 2021. The new law brought the net-zero date forward by five years to 2045 and laid out annual reduction targets for different sectors such as industry and transport up to 2030.

The changes also "rest upon" the targets laid out in the 2015 Paris Agreement to limit global warming to below 2°C, ideally to 1.5°C.

What do the stats say?

Greenhouse gas emissions in Germany fell by 8.7% in 2020 compared to 2019 due to the effects of the lockdown following the spread of Covid-19 across Europe. The pandemic contributed to the effects of the shift to renewables, with mild weather and rising CO2 prices culminating to create the biggest drop in emissions since 1990.

Preliminary data from the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) indicated that all sectors had seen reductions in emissions, with a combined reduction of about 70 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents, bringing Germany's total emissions to 739 million tonnes.

When compared with 1990 levels, emissions in Germany are down by 40.8%, which means that it overshot its 2020 original target by 40%. Nonetheless, early data shows that emissions rose by 4% in 2021 as the country began to open up again.

Germany is the largest consumer of coal in the European Union, followed by Poland.

According to Statista, over 225,000 tonnes of coal were burned in the country in 2020.

Official statistics released last year by Destatis showed that Germany’s addiction to coal had actually increased throughout 2021, unseating wind as the primary source of energy.

In the first half of the year, coal accounted for 27% of the nation’s energy mix. The increase was put down to a lack of wind during the early months of the year. Coal's share of the energy mix rose to almost 32% in the third quarter of 2021, according to Destatis, largely as a result of skyrocketing gas prices.

In January 2019, a coal-exit commission, appointed by the Merkel administration, agreed to end Germany's use of coal power stations by 2038.

In November 2021, the new coalition government comprised of the centre-left Social Democrats, the Greens, and the centre-right Free Democrats pledged to bring the date forward to 2030 - something that the previous government had ruled out.

The nuclear option In January 2022, the European Commission revealed its new taxonomy rules which classified nuclear power as a sustainable energy source - which Berlin protested in an open letter to the EU executive.

Berlin's stance on the matter would have come as no great surprise in Brussels.

Germany has long had a sceptical approach towards nuclear energy. Anti-nuclear movements sprung up in the 1970s, with the Three Mile Island disaster in the US giving the movement its first boost.

The Chernobyl disaster in April 1986 was the major catalyst for this in the country, causing widespread fear and strengthening support for the anti-nuclear movement and the Green Party.

The Fukushima disaster in March 2011 only served to cement this scepticism further, and in its wake, Chancellor Angela Merkel proposed the shutting down of eight nuclear plants for good and limiting the operation of the remaining nine to 2022.

On 31 December 2021, three of Germany's remaining six nuclear plants were closed down, with the remaining three scheduled for closure at the end of 2022.

If this does happen, German energy output will be cut by around 4 GW - the equivalent of roughly 1,000 wind turbines.

The closures come at a difficult time for the energy sector and consumers. German power prices are generally high at the best of times but have soared in the past few months and this shows no sign of reversing following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Indeed, Germany's insistence on the phase-out of nuclear - at a time when gas prices are rising and coal is becoming increasingly unviable - is often met with disbelief and confusion by much of the rest of the continent. What makes it stand out is that it is a stance shared not just by the usual green and "leftist" parties, but right n across the political spectrum.

Industry Europe 17

FOCUS ON – NET-ZERO

HOW CLOSE IS FRANCE TO ITS CLIMATE GOALS? From emissions to legislation, the third instalment of “The Road to Net-Zero” takes us to Europe’s thirdlargest economy - France.

by Ash Jones

F

rance appears to be lagging behind other major European nations when it comes to its commitments to net-zero emissions.

Having set itself an interim goal of reducing emissions by 2030, Europe’s third-largest economy may yet struggle to reach its goals.

The European Union has made great strides in climate reductions over the past year. In the wake of the COP26 summit in November, many nations made their climate goals more ambitious, although watchdogs such as Climate Action Tracker still consider the bloc’s targets to be “insufficient.”

As a signatory of the Paris Climate Agreement, France has pledged to be net-zero by 2050 in a bid to keep the global temperature from increasing by more than 1.5°C and has enshrined these targets into law. However, these targets only target pure emissions reductions and are currently not seeking to reduce 18 Industry Europe

emissions intensity, and while carbon removal is a goal, specific details have not been given.

The government has referred to “carbon sinks” in its climate plans, going into detail about how carbon can be removed from the air through absorption by forests, with little information on carbon capture and storage (CCS) tech. In addition, the state has yet to offer a complete, detailed plan as to how climate goals will be achieved.

France’s biggest advantage in the energy transition is its relatively low-carbon energy mix, thanks in part to its large nuclear energy fleet - the second highest in the world, next to the US. 70% of the country’s energy comes from nuclear power.

However, its nuclear capacity is ageing and the nation is still heavily reliant on fossil fuels, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

It is also apparently the third-largest producer of hydropower, behind Norway and Turkey, thanks to its access to the Alps.

Hydropower has been considered to be a “forgotten giant” and could play a strong role in the energy transition.

Hydropower reportedly generated around 10% of the country’s electricity, according to EDF. The French government’s official climate roadmap was unveiled by Minister for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition, Nicolas Hoult on 6 July 2017.

In it, French officials have pledged to make urban mobility greener, eradicate fuel poverty by 2027, make strides in energy responsibility, move towards a circular economy and bolster green hydrogen, although little detail was given as to how.

France is currently the third-largest producer of hydropower in Europe, behind Norway and Turkey; it accounts for around 10% of its electricity.

The government has also looked to target not only carbon emissions but other greenhouse gases, such as methane which all contribute to climate change as part of its Low Carbon Strategy Project.

In 2020, the government introduced an €8 billion stimulus package for the automotive sector, which not only helped ailing manufacturers get through the pandemic but also provided an “incentive” - a government contribution - for people looking to buy electric vehicles. Back in October 2021, this package was extended until July 2022 and could still be extended further.

In July 2021, Euractiv reported that EV sales in France tripled in two years, which was partially linked to the government’s recovery plan. More recent estimates suggest as many as 315,000 EVs were sold in 2021 alone.

France looked to tackle the issue of fuel poverty within its borders through schemes such as petrol vouchers, but it appears the situation was only exacerbated by the energy crisis, which has seen the EU call for an 80% storage capacity of natural gas by November, and look for international partners to reduce reliance on Russia.

In a similar vein, French officials often made vocal calls for Germany to scrap the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, particularly after the arrest of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. This at least signals a willingness to move away from natural gas.

The government has also been looking into aspects of the circular economy, presenting a €1 billion plan to secure battery metals free from the ethical issues, such as child slavery, commonly associated with such materials.

It has also been putting pressure on national

automakers such as Stellantis and Renault to make batteries domestically.

French miner Eramet also picked up construction of its planned Argentina lithium plant late last year, which could provide another source of this crucial metal.

However, in the production of semiconductors for batteries of electronics, the reuse of materials will be vital to ensure supply can meet demand.

There has been private sector development for this goal, such as when US company Eastman announced its plan to invest up to $1 billion (€906 million) in a material-to-material molecular recycling facility in France.

Thankfully, France is not planning on using carbon offset credits, which means that polluters in the country will not be given free rein to pollute, providing they pay.

Under BECCS, it is thought that up to 10 megatonnes of CO2 (mtCO2) could be avoided per industry annually by 2050, with only 5 mtCO2 in the default scenario, which will require the use of biomass and carbon capture, according to Net Zero Tracker To achieve this, rollout must be scaled up due to biomass often only being used in smaller facilities. However, due to it requiring the base to be stationary, it is unlikely to be used for transport. It will also require advances in storage - offshore, if necessary.

The IEA claims France must invest more in renewable energy, energy efficiency and overhaul its nuclear sector in order to achieve net-zero by 2050.

“The current rate of deployment of low-carbon energy technologies and energy efficiency solutions in France is not

fast enough for the government to meet its energy and climate targets, calling for stronger policy efforts and increased investments, according to the IEA’s 2021 Energy Policy Review of France,” it said in a November 2021 report.

“In particular, the future development of the country’s electricity supply requires a clear policy strategy to be put in place.”

Environmentalists have criticised the Élysée’s plans as being neither detailed nor coherent, with the situation exacerbated by a lack of political consensus over how to take on the climate crisis.

There are even cases of private citizens eschewing government plans and opting for private generation, which has also become popular in other European nations such as Spain.

“At home, France was one of the first countries to enact a climate law, and in 2019, the government put into legislation the goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050... In 2022, the government of France will need to take important decisions to ensure the country gets on track to meet its 2050 net-zero emissions goal, notably in terms of plans to modernise its nuclear power fleet.

“The government will also have to step up its clean energy ambitions and measures for the coming years across the entire economy to align with the EU-wide goal of reducing emissions by 55% by 2030,” the IEA report added.

On this note, France appears to be a country running on passive action - plans to achieve goals but with no impetus to do so.

As it stands, it is looking unlikely the country n can meet its climate goals.

Industry Europe 19

NEWS

New developments in Aerospace & Defence

Volocopter aims to bring eVTOL to France by 2024

by Ash Jones

S

everal companies are breaking new ground in the realm of urban air mobility, but Germany’s Volocopter has become a two-time pioneer, completing both its first manned and first remote-controlled air taxi flights in France.

The flights were run as part of a week-long trial forming a feasibility study into how air taxis will operate in the country. The firm and its partners, Groupe ADP and RATP Group hope to see commercial flights within three years.

Volocopter’s full-scale testing prototype, the 2X, completed flight tests Pontoise airfield in Paris to test noise emissions on March 21. The data will be used by the companies to shape eVTOL’s future in France.

If all goes well, the public launch of the company’s air taxis could coincide with the 2024 Paris Olympics, which will likely see a huge tourism spike to a city that is already the second-most visited in Europe.

Volocoptor CCO Christain Bauer said the new tests prove the firm is continuing to pioneer eVTOL, bringing it a step closer to commercial viability.

“By flying our aircraft in a crewed configuration at a Paris airport, we are proving to one of our launch cities firsthand that our aircraft will offer a practical addition for potential airport-to-city routes,” he added.On average 19 million people visit the City of Love per year, which means it could be at the core of a new public transport boom.

Electric verticle-take off and landing (eVTOL) is likely to be the future of public transport. These aircraft produce no emissions, do not congest roads and run routes more efficiently, and there are currently many major initiatives to bring this tech into the real world.

According to Reuters, Paris is among the most congested cities in the world.

The rise of eVTOL could see the equivalent of thousands of cars removed from the streets each day, reducing both congestion and air pollution from the mix.

This is unlikely to make too much of a dent in the traditional taxi industry, but it could diversify the options available to the public.

Volocopter conducted its first flight in France back in June 2021. The flight was unmanned, which means the test was likely conducted to test the viability of flight, potential noise pollution, and emissions.

Flying in an airfield is also far safer than conducting urban tests immediately, although it is likely the next step of feasibility will be to perform tests in population centres.

Volocopter has been doing test flights since its first successful flight back in Autumn 2019. eVTOL as an industry is still in its early stages and targets to make it viable before the mid-decade could be seen as ambitious.

However, as the energy transition comes into full swing, it may prove a useful technology for helping decarbonise both the transport and aerospace industries.

Visit: www.volocopter.com

UK announces £685m boost for green aviation

by Steven Gislam

T

he UK government has pledged £685 million (€810.1 million) in funding to its aerospace technology research programme, the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), to accelerate research and development in green aviation tech.

The ATI will receive £685 million from the government over the next three years, and additional funding will come from the private sector, bringing the total up to £1 billion (€1.18 billion).

The money will be used to “capitalise on the UK’s world-leading R&D system” and be ploughed into the development of zero-carbon and ultra-low-emission aircraft technology, which the government says will “support tens of thousands of jobs”.

Aerospace Technology Institute CEO Gary Elliott welcomed the news, saying it was an

20 Industry Europe

investment into the technology needed to bring the sector and country towards its net-zero target of 2050.

Previous funding has gone towards the development of projects such as ZeroAvia’s 6-seat hydrogen-electric aircraft, currently the largest craft of its kind in the world, and Rolls-Royce’s development of the largest, most efficient aircraft engine in history, the UltraFan. “Since its formation in 2013, the Aerospace Technology Institute has been an enormous suc-

cess, already funding world-leading innovations like hydrogen aircraft and 3D printed components,” said Industry Minister Lee Rowley.

“These projects are making a real-world impact and could one day help the global aviation industry transition to net zero,” he added, describing the pledge as a sign of increasing ambition in the UK which would give “large and small businesses the confidence to invest in the technologies that will bring civil aviation into the next generation”.

It was also confirmed that the ATI Programme, a £3.9 billion joint government and industry investment in aerospace tech, would reopen to new funding applications on April 4.

The Programme is seen as a critical part of the government’s green aviation JetZero policy, a final strategy for which is set to be published this summer.

Visit: www.ati.org.uk

AEROSPACE & DEFENCE NEWS

INDUSTRYNEWS

Siemens digital twin could help refuel hydrogen jets

by Ash Jones

D

igital twinning is synonymous with Industry 4.0 and could see widespread use in manufacturing and beyond, but a new initiative

by Siemens and Protium could see it used to aid in the refuelling of hydrogen aircraft.

The point of the project is to rapidly refuel hydrogen jets and digitalise the development of green aircraft in line with the UK’s goals of achieving net-zero aviation by 2050.

The twin displays a digital render of the aircraft’s refuelling system to explore options and work towards continued optimisation of systems, which could reduce the need for expensive prototyping.

Hydrogen jets are often touted as the future of aircraft over electrification. The only byproduct of green hydrogen use is water vapour, so it presents

a far cleaner alternative than fossil fuels and less risk and longer range than electricity.

However, current technology is limited and innovations are needed to make hydrogenpowered aeroplanes commercially viable.

“This approach to designing refuelling systems will increase confidence and understanding in the capabilities of emerging hydrogen technology, increase uptake across the UK and accelerate the transition to zero-emission flight and tackle climate change”, Protium’s director of innovation and policy Jen Baxter said.

Protium will be leveraging its experience in bringing low-carbon hydrogen across a number of sectors, including aviation, transport and consumer goods.

Digital twinning technology does exactly what its name suggests, presenting a digital version

Parachute-equipped delivery drones to take to the skies of Brazil

by Ash Jones

B

razil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) has authorised Speedbird Aero to use its parachute-equipped drones to make deliveries, becoming the first of its kind greenlit for use in the country.

Billed as a beyond visual line of sight (BVLS) craft, which means it can operate outside of the traditional range of drones - meaning it is no longer in the line of sight of the operator - it is also the first multirotor drone design certified in Brazil.

The drone has been cleared to carry packages of up to 2.5kg of primarily food and other smaller products, within a radius of 3km in both urban and rural areas.

Its use opens the door for the burgeoning drone sector in the South American country, which could make short-to-medium range delivery services more efficient and remove factors such as congestion from delivery times.

The drone’s authorisation is the culmination of more than eight months’ work between ANAC representatives and Speedbird Aero tech, which included multiple tests and parachute deployments.

It is likely the drones are equipped with parachutes to minimise damage should the drone falter mid-flight, or to prevent potential damage to anything it could crash into.

The ANAC laid out other safety practices that were conducted during the tests, such as not flying over people, attempting to divert away from

of something real. In this case, the twin mirrors the inside of a jet engine and its systems.

The twinning technology is being supplied by Siemens Process Automation, one of Siemens subsidiaries.

“Siemens is working extensively with clean energy innovators to help bring new technologies to market as rapidly as possible. We are very excited to be working with Protium to reduce time-to-market in the challenging area of zero-emission flight”, Siemens’ Bart de Groot said in a statement.

Visit: www.siemens.com

or ignore sources of electrical disruption, and observing the minimum and maximum altitudes in different types of weather.

“In the process that led to this approval, technical characteristics were explored, based on safety requirements. The use of drones to deliver goods is one of the most anticipated applications of the technology. Brazil is at the forefront”, the Agency’s Airworthiness Superintendent Roberto José Honorato said in a statement.

Drone delivery and other similar services offer huge opportunities in Brazil. It is the world’s fifth-largest country and sixth-largest in terms of population. Outside of use in the retail and healthcare sectors, drones could be used in some of Brazil’s other major industries, such as mining and energy, likely both also involving delivery services.

In addition, future jobs such as cargo delivery and advanced air mobility could be transformative for the entire continent.

The drone’s safety systems were also handled by drone safety experts ParaZero.

“We’re incredibly proud to be breaking new ground in urban air mobility”, says Aaron Gabriel Gliner, ParaZero Director of Business Development and Regulation.

“Speedbird Aero’s achievement will pave the way for advanced drone operations across the country. Drone delivery is a transformative technology – it has the power to revolutionise logistics”, he added.

Speedbird Aero’s CPO Samuel Salomão said his company was “fully committed to flying safely first, in order to deliver an efficient and carbonreduced drone delivery operation”.

ParaZero’s CEO stated that in Brazil, offering drones for delivery services “is only the beginning”.

“As regulations allow, advanced drone operations will provide tremendous benefit for people and businesses across the country”, he added.

For more info, visit: www.gov.br/anac/pt-br Industry Europe 21

NEWS

New developments in Aerospace & Defence

Satellite imaging and AI could merge to aid UK farmers

by Ash Jones

A

new service set for launch in the UK that could revolutionise the way satellite imaging is used in agriculture has been announced by UK tech firms Origin Digital and Aspia Space.

The “ClearSky” service is being targeted towards farmers, and can supposedly present a view of a field from orbit as if there were no clouds blocking the view using radar inputs optimised via artificial intelligence.

The feed can allegedly provide data every six days to allow them to micromanage crop development regardless of outside conditions, whatever the weather, reportedly significantly faster than other types of imagery, which could take up to several weeks for cloud-free views.

The service merges Origin’s Contour platform with Aspia AI and algorithms. Should it work as intended, it could boost crop yields and quality.

“This is a hugely exciting development because it adds the ingredient of dependable regularity that’s missing in traditional imagery services. This reliability will give UK farmers a substantial new advantage in sustainably optimising their yield and input use”, Madhumita Mund Rao, Head of Data at Origin Digital, said in a statement.

At any given time an average of 67% of the Earth is covered by clouds, so precision agriculture systems that rely on getting clear satellite imagery at the right time have historically struggled to deliver on their high potential value.

“ClearSky eliminates that struggle by guaranteeing the consistent regularity these systems need to deliver results, enabling farmers to fully

optimise their fertiliser use for example and helping both their wallets and the planet”, she added.

“Aspia’s technology unlocks Earth observation imaging data and intelligence that would have otherwise been lost”, Aspia co-founder Jim Geach said in a statement.

The firm claims it could capture at least four times the number of cloudfree images per year than other types of satellite imaging.

“ClearSky uses radar inputs, which penetrate cloud but are challenging to interpret, to derive imagery across the visible and short wave infrared spectrum. This means that even in the presence of 100% cloud cover, we can deliver regular, reliable, and consistent cloud-free images that are easily understood and can be analysed in exactly the same way as regular optical imagery.

“It was developed using the idea that the way radio and microwaves behave when they hit surface features - such as crops - is correlated, albeit in a highly complex way, with the way that optical light waves interact with those same features.

“Using AI to unpick this correlation means that ClearSky can predict cloud-free imagery with no optical inputs without a loss of accuracy over long periods of time without clear optical images. That makes it a true game-changer”, he added.

Visit: https://digital.originenterprises.com

Coventry’s Aurrigo unveils airport digital twin in US

by Ash Jones

U

K-based transport company Aurrigo is set to embark on a first for the aviation sector, providing a digital twin of operations for Gerald R Ford Airport in Michigan that could provide the blueprint for airports of the future.

The Auto-Sim software should allow operators to micro-manage site operations, identify cost-saving opportunities and could stand to enhance overall customer experience while potentially laying the footprint for autonomous operations.

The project was funded via a testing grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which should allow Aurrigo to build a model of airside operations, covering roadways, intersections, stands and all operational vehicle types and movements.

Engineering for the UK firm will be based at their hub in the UK but will keep in touch with the Airport to integrate vehicle fleet capacity and flight schedules so they can simulate airside servicing to benchmark current operations and predict future scenarios.

22 Industry Europe

The platform can also simulate airside servicing to benchmark current operations and try to predict future scenarios.

“The world’s airports are all facing the same challenge of providing greater levels of customer service with the most cost-effective use of resources and minimal environmental impact. It’s a careful balancing act and one brought into even sharper focus with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic”, Aurrigo CEO David Keene said in a statement.

He added: “[The Auto-Sim] allows airport planners to model the operational processes, financial implications, customer journey experience and environmental impact of implementing new technology without the risk of expensive mistakes.

“We hope it will encourage other airports within the US and around the world to utilise the Auto-SimÒ platform to streamline operations and reduce their environmental impact, whilst also providing the optimal customer experience and preparing them for future operations that involve airside automated vehicles.”

The GRF Airport is currently the second largest airport in Michigan, caters for nearly 3.6

million passengers annually and handled 41.4 million kg of air freight in 2019 alone.

Aurrigo claims the digital twin can simulate and replicate the airport’s busiest periods which could account for up to 112 flights per day and up to 1,000 individual activities to factor in.

Tory Richardson, president and CEO of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority said the scheme enables the Airport to partner with companies with a drive for innovation within the aviation sector.

“We are proud to welcome Aurrigo to our Airport to offer them the opportunity to test the Auto-Sim platform alongside our airside operations”, he added.

The project should commence by the end of May 2022, and the two partners will work alongside Southwest Airlines, Stantec, Seamless and the Michigan Office of Future Mobility & Electrification.

Visit: https://aurrigo.com

AEROSPACE & DEFENCE NEWS

INDUSTRYNEWS Planes to carry less fuel in new environment-focused policy

by Elizabeth Gregory

P

lanes in Europe will be permitted to fly carrying less fuel to reduce CO2 emissions, a new European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) publication states.

At the moment, planes carry extra fuel for emergencies, changing flight plans, delays and in case of potential weather issues. But, the EASA said, this extra weight simply uses unnecessary fuel and produces more emissions every flight. By carrying less fuel, the environmental impact of flights can be reduced.

While some may baulk at this idea, the EASA said that by optimising fuel, improving risk assessments and continuing to ensure high safety levels, carrying less fuel remains as safe as the current flight system.

“There is no reason to lift up more fuel reserve

into the sky than necessary – lifting fuel burns more fuel,” said Jesper Rasmussen, EASA Flight Standards Director. “Most importantly, this can be done without compromising safety – the reduction is possible thanks to better assessment methods and better data.”

The EASA also said that the package is aligned with the International Civil Aviation Organization and that the new regulations will apply to aircraft partially or fully using other energy sources, such as electricity.

In the declaration, the EASA provided no exact fuel reduction figure, but instead offered an adaptable regulatory package: how much fuel planes will be required to carry depends on route, aircraft, and the safety recommendations of every national authority.

However, as part of the rules, the safety agency

also proposed three schemes: A basic fuel scheme, a fuel scheme with variations and an individual fuel scheme. The basic fuel scheme will take little adaption for air operators, whereas the latter schemes would require bigger changes and “enhanced monitoring capabilities”.

The EASA said that it would support air operators during the changeover.

Learn more: www.easa.europa.eu

ABB tech could monitor the Earth’s climate from orbit

by Ash Jones

A

BB tech could be used to monitor the Earth’s climate from orbit, as it secures a $30 million contract with Canada’s EarthDaily for imaging systems that will be placed in 10 satellites around the planet’s orbit.

The satellites aim to capture images of both the planet’s landmasses and larger marine areas, which will be filtered via artificial intelligence to track significant changes to the Earth’s ecosystems.

The images will be captured using Multispectral imaging systems (MIS), which capture data from specific light frequencies, which are then sifted through by artificial intelligence and can be used to track changes in the Earth’s ecosystems.

This tech is able to capture very high-quality pictures of an area with a resolution that scales down to around five metres.

Current Earth observation satellite systems provide either high image quality with low coverage or low image quality with high coverage. The EarthDaily Constellation brings high image quality and rich spectral band diversity together with daily global coverage – something that has never been available before”, EarthDaily CEO Don Osborne said.

He described the upgrades made to the MIS tech as “groundbreaking” and could finally map out large portions of the planet to track environmental changes in real-time.

“ABB’s long track record of success at the forefront of space sensors and Earth observation provides us with not only best-in-class technology, but also the confidence that comes from working closely with a tech company of its calibre”, he added.

Once the images are taken, the AI will record any changes and insights into how the Earth’s climate is changing and impacts on its ecosystems.

ABB claims the tech has other uses outside of its primary function. For instance, it could be used to monitor forest fire build-up or progression or help farmers monitor crop health.

It could also see use in aiding sustainable resource management - highlighting areas where natural resources are dwindling and offering alternatives.

“We are proud to be part of the EarthDaily Constellation project set to transform the understanding of natural and human-caused change on Earth”, said Jacques Mulbert, the president of ABB’s Measurements & Analytics division.

“We are confident that this project will be key to empowering industries across diverse domains to make the best possible decisions for their businesses and reach their sustainability goals”, he added.

In addition to EarthDaily, ABB will also be working alongside IT specialist Xiphos, who will be supplying electronics for the satellites and Loft Orbital, who will be providing space infrastructure for the EarthDaily Constellations.

Visit: https://global.abb/group/en Industry Europe 23

NEWS

New developments in the Chemicals & Biochemicals

BASF invests in Oceanworks to target sea-bound plastics

by Ash Jones

W

ith an island of plastic waste the size of Mongolia currently polluting the Pacific Ocean, tackling plastic waste from its source is growing more important to prevent further damage to the environment.

German chemicals company BASF has become a major investor in tech startup Oceanworks' platform which allows companies to intentionally source post-consumer plastics bound for the Earth's oceans through its subsidiary BASF Venture Capital.

Once the plastics have been sourced they can then be recycled or reused to make other plastics products, actively reducing their environmental impacts.

Since plastics are made from hydrocarbons, carbon emissions are necessary for their production.

Plastic waste either ends up in oceans or landfills and can pose a serious threat to marine ecosystems, which means that Oceanworks' process is twofold.

BASF hopes platforms such as this will help usher in a circular economy - a vital part of the future of the chemicals industry.

“Oceanworks’ traceability tools add real value to reducing plastic waste,” said Markus Solibieda, the Managing Director of BASF Venture Capital.

“With this investment and the collaboration with Oceanworks, we support BASF's goal of providing its customers with sustainable solutions to further improve the production, use and recycling of plastics.”

Plastics are often vital in everyday life, but their abundance comes at a cost.

Every day, an average of 8 million tonnes finds its way into the ocean. Responsible handling of these materials is therefore vital in the green transition.

Oceanworks' platform specialises in the traceability of these materials, utilising similar technology to cryptocurrency blockchains in that it stores data in a block.

The firm claims that thousands of tonnes of plastic is available for businesses monthly, including PET plastics, nylon, fibres and compounds.

It currently operates using global partners and can take plastic from anywhere along the waste rabbit hole, ranging from being collected directly from communities to floating offshore gyres.

“Plastic waste in the environment is a huge global challenge, and no one can tackle this alone," according to Martin Kayser, the Senior Vice President for the Alliance to End Plastic Waste at BASF. "We need many different solutions and actors such as industry, politics and civil society working together.

"This is one of the reasons why BASF co-founded the Alliance to End Plastic Waste in 2019. To protect our planet’s resources, we need to transform the way we live and do business. Oceanworks is a great addition to achieve our ambitious targets."

The pair will continue to look into new technologies to make plastic recycling more efficient and able to handle higher loads, which will help divert even higher volumes of plastic away from the oceans.

Visit: www.basf.com

EU beefs up dangerous chemicals laws to protect workers

by Steven Gislam

E

U ministers have passed a raft of amendments to the carcinogens and mutagens directive, a piece of legislation that protects workers from harmful substances.

The aim of the amendments is to make further improvements to workers' protection by setting exposure limits to dangerous chemicals like acrylonitrile and nickel compounds and lowering existing limits for benzene.

The beefed-up directive will also offer better protection against a set of chemicals called reprotoxins, which have a detrimental effect on the human reproductive system.

These were previously covered under a different law, but as part of the changes, repro-

24 Industry Europe

toxins are set to be transferred to the stricter carcinogens and mutagens at work directive, which will be renamed accordingly.

According to Commission data, more than one million workers are exposed to acrylonitrile and nickel compounds and benzene, and 52% of

occupational deaths in the European Union each year are due to cancer.

As part of the EU's drive to tackle cancer, healthcare workers who deal with carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic drugs, and hazardous medicinal products, will receive better training on how to handle them safely. The new law stipulates that the Commission must issue guidelines on training, surveillance and monitoring of these products.

According to the revised directive, the Commission must present an action plan to achieve new or revised occupational exposure limits values for at least 25 substances by the end of the year and present legislative proposals, where appropriate.

Member states have two years following the new directive's adoption to comply with the changes.

CHEMICALS & BIOCHEMICALS NEWS

INDUSTRYNEWS

Rossi opens new biofuel plant in Hungary

by Romana Moares

R

ossi Biofuel inaugurated a new plant in Hungary, significantly increasing biofuel production in the country and launching a technology in Europe that can boost greenhouse gas savings by more than 85%.

Rossi, which is a joint venture of Hungarian multinational oil and gas company MOL Group and Envien Group, is one of the largest and

most significant groups of companies in the CEE region active in the production of biofuels.

With a capacity of 50,000 tonnes per year, the plant is the first in Europe to use the RepCat technology offered by Austrian firm BDI-BioEnergy International GmbH, which is highly flexible in terms of raw materials.

It allows the processing of greasy wastes of different types and origins, such as used cooking oils, trap grease, animal fats or residues from vegetable oil production.

Biodiesel produced in this way is one of the most climate-friendly fuels.

“We have brought a unique technology to Europe that allows us to produce biofuel from almost any type of fats. This is a huge success for all of us, as the circular economy is one of the cornerstones of MOL Group’s updated strategy," said Oszkár Világi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of MOL Group.

"We have made a commitment to recycle waste in an efficient way and to meet the

This carbon-absorbing, self-raising chair is made from recycled plastic

world’s growing energy needs with increasingly sustainable solutions.

The energy transition is a long and complex process, but this investment clearly shows that conventional fuels can be turned into more environmentally friendly with the right technology and by using waste."

With the construction of the plant, the MOL Group and Envien Group are aiming to respond to both consumer and regulatory demands: the aim is for Rossi Biofuel to comply with EU rules on renewable transportation fuels. Rossi Biofuel’s product is used as a bio-component in the production of diesel at Danube Refinery and Slovnaft refinery.

“This new modern plant is the Envien Group’s first major investment in the production of advanced biofuels, where waste is processed into useful products," said Ing. Robert Spišák, PhD., Chairman of the Board of Rossi Biofuel.

Due to the Hungarian subsidies, we decided to locate the plant in our production base in Komárom, Hungary, and we are confident that this is not our last project of this kind," he added.

Visit: www.rossibiofuel.hu

Lasse Virén citting on the Virén chair in a promotional photo.

by Ash Jones

T

o demonstrate the versatility of recycled plastics, Finnish energy firm Fortum designed a chair that can raise itself up made using recycled plastic waste.

The Virén Chair is named after Finnish long-distance runner Lasse Virén and was inspired by his experience in the 1972 Munich Olympics where he fell over and picked himself up again.

Despite the odds not being in his favour, he still managed to get the gold, and secured a new world record in the process.

By "self-raising", the firm doesn't mean that the chair builds itself like an automotive flatpack chair, rather it has specifically designed to pick itself and return upright should it tip over.

“The story of Lasse Virén – and especially his legendary win in the Munich Olympics – is still inspiring for many of us. Our ambition was to honour comebacks, progression and resilience through the Virén Chair and to show what can be achieved with recycled plastics today", Fortum brand manager Jussi Mälkiä said in a statement.

"The Virén Chair pays respect to Finnish design with characteristics of plastic furniture developed in the 1960s by Finnish designers".

2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the Munich Olympics, which the Finnish firm wanted to honour with a new product.

The chair was developed alongside a variety of professionals, from engineers to physicists and researchers.

Resuing or recycling plastic waste has become very important with so little of it being recycled. Based on current data, as much as 91% of plastic waste isn't recycled, leaving it free to clog up landfills or the world's oceans.

Despite this, much of the problem lies with improper waste management systems rather than the materials themselves.

Fortum is hoping to expand the use of recycled plastics by developing compounds to enhance the qualities of the recycled product, which could provide opportunities for reuse outside of what it was before.

Specifically, the team hopes the polymers can be used for more technical or challenging products.

Anniina Rasmus, Brand Sales Manager at Fortum Recycling and Waste said: “Plastic is in many ways a superior material that is hard to substitute.

The consumption of plastic is growing globally all the time; the discussion around plastics should instead focus on how to increase recycling.

"We should make sure that the value of the material is preserved by recycling the plastic and converting the waste into reusable material whenever possible".

The compound used in the chair's creation is a special formula developed by Fortum reinforced with cellulose fibre to strengthen the material while aiming to lower emissions during production.

In addition, the cellulose fibre in the chair also reportedly absorbs carbon from the air.

Visit: www.fortum.com Industry Europe 25

NEWS

New developments in Chemicals & Biochemicals

Evonik to build a new plant in Darmstadt

by Romana Moares

E

vonik is investing a double-digit million euro sum in a new production facility for its high-performance foams for fibre composites made in Darmstadt.

At the same time, parts of the original production plant, which went into operation in 1972, will be shut down or extensively modernised. These measures will enable Evonik to continue to meet growing demand for its structural foams, for example from the aerospace industry.

Evonik’s original production facility in Darmstadt has been manufacturing Rohacell structural foam, which is used as a core material for sandwich composite materials, for 50 years.

Sales have risen steadily in recent years due to increasing market demand for lightweight components in a wide range of industries, including medical technology and sports applications to parts for the electronics industry and automotive and aircraft construction.

With modern, state-of-the-art buildings and a production environment that meets the latest safety standards, Evonik is well equipped to meet growing customer demand and the high-quality requirements of industries such as aerospace and automotive.

“With this contribution, Evonik continues on its path of investing in products that support sustainable solutions for our customers,” says Dr. Claus Rettig, head of Evonik’s Smart Materials Division. “Manufacturers in many industries want to efficiently produce high-performance lightweight components. Our high-performance foams for composites make this possible.”

Production will continue at the existing plant in Darmstadt during the construction and modernisation phase. The first new production plant will start operation in April 2022, and further plants will follow over the course of the year.

Visit: https://corporate.evonik.com

3 Scottish firms team up to turn whisky into biofuel

by Ash Jones

B

iomass represents an untapped market for the energy transition, and three Scottish companies have teamed up to turn one of the nation’s major exports - whisky - into a renewable energy source.

Ardnamurchan Distillery, Woodlands Renewables and Scotland’s first biorefinery, Celtic Renewables, are set to bring a potentially revolutionary biofuel technology to the market.

The plant will use Celtic’s processes to convert around 50,000 tonnes of biological material into renewable chemicals, green biofuel, and other commodities essential in the energy transition.

It has already brought in over £43 million (€51.1 million) in funding since its inception and will supposedly be able to produce one million litres of sustainable biochemicals annually.

In addition, five other large-scale biofuel refineries are planned for launch globally over the next five years.

26 Industry Europe

“Biofuel” simply refers to any fuel generated from plant material or animal waste. It is estimated to be able to save as much as 130 million tonnes of CO2 by 2030. But it is, as of yet, a relatively undervalued market.

Because feedstock for biofuels can be replenished readily, it is considered to be a form of renewable energy. However, critics of the tech often remain sceptical about scale-up opportunities and the scope for expansion as well as the costs associated with the development and potentially taking away arable land from food production.

Some plant material, such as wood, has long been used as a biofuel and generated heat, which can be used as an energy source.

The partnership was influenced by Ardnamurchan Estates investor Donald Houston, who owns stakes in each company.

“Celtic Renewables needs a byproduct of whisky distilling called pot ale to assist in its testing process before starting full production of its biochemicals and biofuel”, he said. The Whiskey by-product for the project is supplied by Ardnamurchan distillery.

“The pot ale is piped over the hill from the distillery to the neighbouring Woodland Renewables, a local business set up to repurpose the distillery’s byproducts whilst adding value to the local economy”.

He added that the whisky byproduct is combined in draff - another distillery by-product - and turned into an animal feed at the Woodlands Renewables plant and used to feed local livestock, with some of the pot ale stock being supplied to Celtic.

“Since their launch, sustainability has been a major component of Ardnamurchan Distillery’s overall strategy. Looking at new ways to improve their sustainability and circular economy, this innovative technology developed

by Celtic Renewables fits perfectly with the distillery’s objective”, he concluded.

The Ardnamurchan Distillery is designed to be as sustainable as possible, with all energy coming from local renewable sources, primarily hydropower and biomass. Products co-developed by the other partners will be supplied to Woodland Renewables.

The biomass could be entirely self-sufficient, as some of Celtic’s animal feed is supplied to the distillery.

“These tests we will be conducting with the whisky residue are the culmination of the lab work we started at Edinburgh Napier University in 2008 which led to the formation of our company in 2012”, Celtic Renewables’ President Martin Tangney said in a statement.

“Once in production, we will have contracts for consistent supply of significant volumes of pot ale from the Scotch whisky industry. With the plant being commissioned we needed an ad hoc supply of pot ale on demand. Donald has stepped in to meet that need, to get us through to the full production phase”, he concluded.

It is likely the project will still need a significant investment wave before any returns will be seen.

As such, the team are looking to commission the plant soon, considering it a “long-term investment” at odds with the kinds of tech startups that dominate the modern market.

CHEMICALS & BIOCHEMICALS NEWS

INDUSTRYNEWS Solvay & Mitsubishi to recycle end-of-life medical components

by Romana Moares

B

elgian chemical giant Solvay is partnering with Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials (MCAM) to recycle end-of-life medical components in a new sustainability initiative.

Medical equipment made using Solvay’s Udel high-performance polysulfone (PSU) thermoplastic will be recycled at the end of their useful lives in a new partnership that the company has embarked on with MCAM. In line with Solvay’s One Planet sustainability roadmap and Mitsubishi’s KAITEKI vision designed to preserve resources and contribute to safer, cleaner and more sustainable products, both companies are currently investigating the implementation of logistics for recovery, recycling, and reprocessing of Udel PSU medical components, with the aim of recycled material being suitable for reuse in the original applications.

“The agreement with Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials is the latest demonstration

of Solvay’s commitment to helping customers achieve ambitious sustainability targets,” says Antonella Di Meo, Product Sustainability Manager at Solvay.

“It is part of our long-term commitment to develop sustainable solutions from bio-based or recycled resources. With this project, we

want to show, in a practical way, that it is possible to recycle high-value Udel PSU parts used in the medical field, yielding important savings in CO2 emissions along the production and supply chain.”

The project involves using a combination of the expertise developed by MCAM to wash and mechanically purify the material, together with Solvay’s ability to evaluate the chemistry of the end-of-life polymer, to develop a robust recycling strategy that will provide customers with materials that fully meet all specifications.

Together with Solvay’s polymer chemistry expertise, MCAM’s’ mastery of mechanical recycling will help overcome the special challenges customers face to recycle and reuse such polymers in demanding applications in support of the circular economy.

Visit: www.solvay.com

Tessenderlo plans French organic fertliser plant

by Romana Moares

F

rance’s Tessenderlo is planning to construct a new production line for organic fertilisers in Vénérolles, France, in response to the rising demand for organic fertilisers.

The new line will focus on the production of organic pellets for its growth unit Violleau and is scheduled to be operational with effect from Q1 2023.

Violleau is able to offer products with a high concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus, which are particularly appreciated in the sector of organic farming.

Tessenderlo Group is a diversified industrial group that focuses on agriculture, valorising bio-residuals, energy, and providing industrial solutions with a focus on water. Its products include value-added speciality liquid, solid and soluble fertilisers and crop protection products with a focus on precision agriculture applications.

The new growth unit Violleau was commissioned in 2021 to support the growth of organic agricultural solutions in Europe. Violleau specialises in the production of organic amendments and fertilisers from animal and vegetable matter as well as the commercialisation of biocontrol products.

Violleau’s organic and organo-mineral formulations that are made in France in compost or pellets can be used in organic and conventional agriculture for applications in field crops, vineyards, arboriculture, market gardening, or green spaces.

“With the new production line in Vénérolles, we are further expanding our local presence in the organic fertiliser market. Our new production line

responds to the growing demand for organic fertilisers from the European market, which is in line with the European Union’s Farm to Fork Strategy,” said Didier Coppieters, GU Director of Violleau.

“At the same time, we will also ensure a better service to the agricultural market in northern France and Belgium thanks to the strategic location in Vénérolles,” adds Dominique Billard, General Manager Violleau France.

Visit: www.tessenderlo.com

Industry Europe 27

MAXIMISING THE BENEFITS

OF PNEUMATIC AUTOMATION Camozzi Automation has stood out from the crowd for more than five decades not only by offering the highest possible product quality but also by providing a comprehensive range of services in over 70 countries.

28 Industry Europe

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING

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he company’s strategy is to distinguish itself as a true partner for its clients and to develop integrated solutions which bring high added value to their businesses.

The company was established in 1964 by three brothers who began manufacturing components for industrial automation in their small village in Lumezzane, northern Italy. Decades of hard work, commitment, dedication, and passion have turned the former small family-owned business into a strong industrial group, leading the way with new ideas and focused research and development, while anticipating and meeting new market requirements.

Today, Camozzi Automation is part of Italian Camozzi Group, which operates in a variety of sectors ranging from machine tools to textile machinery as well as providing raw material processing solutions.

Over the years, continuous investment has enabled the company to build and consolidate its international presence and broaden its product offering.

The first branch was set up in Germany in 1980 and since then 21 branch offices and workshops have been established worldwide.

Today, the company has 29 subsidiaries and service centres and runs 14 production sites, employing over 2,000 people.

Precision and Flexibility The company makes a complete range of actuators that includes mini-cylinders and ISO profile cylinders.

Innovative options include compact cylinders, stainless steel construction guided cylinders, rod-less cylinders, rotary actua-

Industry Europe 29

tors, products integrated with position transducers and products for handling. Completing the range are sensors, guides, brakes, rod-locks, shock absorbers, accessories for fixing and all the tools needed to optimise a pneumatic circuit.

For industrial automation, Camozzi Automation offers a complete range of components, systems, and technologies, designing targeted solutions for any application as required.

Camozzi’s solutions for the control of actuation and the management of different types of fluids include linear actuators and grippers, valves, and solenoid valves, plus components for air treatment, connection elements, and vacuum systems.

Ongoing R&D in mechatronic solutions has led to the integration of sensors and diagnostic systems that are capable of processing information on the operating parameters of the system.

30 Industry Europe

For the life sciences sector, Camozzi offers components and customised solutions for the control of fluids – both liquids and gases – with high performances in terms of efficiency and reliability.

Its miniaturised solenoid valves, components with proportional technology and solutions with separation diaphragm for aggressive fluids are used for laboratory diagnostics, molecular analysis, genomics and oxygen therapy, as well as dental units.

Camozzi’s customers from the transport sector rely on the company’s expertise in creating high-quality components and systems designed for use on the chassis, the body, the mobile automation or powertrain of a vehicle. Solutions for the airbrake, fuel supply, cooling, exhaust treatment, lubrication or mobile automation, are validated according to standards and customer specifications and are designed and made to meet and exceed the highest of expectations.

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING

To guarantee the highest possibility quality in all production phases, Camozzi has created controlled atmosphere environments and an ISO 7 cleanroom for the assembly of products and solutions that require extreme cleanliness and elimination of all organic and/or inorganic contaminants.

Smart solutions By taking a multi-technology approach, Camozzi is able to analyse each individual application and develop solutions based on selecting the most appropriate pneumatic, electric or proportional technology.

This analysis is built on unrivalled expertise in product and technology specifications, and a thorough understanding of the functional characteristics of the specific applications.

“Our value offering arises from the combination of industrial domain skills with the implementation of the most advanced technologies, aimed at industrial excellence for full satisfaction of

the customer in many application sectors.” says Marco Camozzi, Managing Director of Camozzi Automation.

He points out that Camozzi Automation has recently extended its offering to include even more IoT products and solutions, working on both the digitisation of production processes and the creation of real cyber-physical systems. The aim is to enable the integration of mechanical, electronic and digital elements, constantly improving process performance and management of the data chain.

“One of our main strengths in developing smart solutions for Industry 4.0 lies above all in the ability to transform, in real time through sophisticated proprietary algorithms, the information gathered by enabling technologies into detailed diagnostic reports. In this way, customers can constantly monitor the performance of production processes, planning maintenance activities more effectively and efficiently, while significantly reducing downtimes and operating n costs,” he affirms. “That is the value we bring to our clients.”

Industry Europe 31

MACHINED TO PERFECTION TOS Varnsdorf, the world-renowned horizontal boring mill manufacturer from the Czech Republic, has again achieved sound financial results, and is ready to celebrate its 120th anniversary next year in excellent shape and form.

32 Industry Europe

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING

W

ith its extensive experience in machine tool production, TOS Varnsdorf, located in the west of the Czech Republic near the German border, has become a trusted manufacturer of medium-class horizontal milling and boring machines supplied to clients across the globe.

Exports account for over 85% of total output; while approximately 50% of TOS Varnsdorf’s customers are based in Europe, the company has a strong foothold in the US, South America, Southeast Asia, and particularly China.

The company boasts an impressive manufacturing tradition.

Established in 1903 as a manufacturer of general machine tools, it subsequently specialised in horizontal milling and boring machines, horizontal machining centres, and portal machine tools.

Today, its top-quality machines reflect the know-how and experience of generations of technicians and skilled workers as well as

the innovative focus of today’s company management. Characterised by high performance, progressive design, and reliability, they are used for the machining of components for the transport, mining, construction, and energy sectors, as well as for general mechanical engineering.

Alongside the machine range, the company offers a wealth of services to its customers; this includes training for operators and maintenance workers, programme training and technological studies, and a high-quality machine commissioning service, in addition to machine modernisation, general overhauls, medium-scale, and minor repairs to machines.

TOS Varnsdorf operates a network of subsidiaries in its key markets to provide spare parts, warranty and post-warranty service. “Service and spare parts availability tend to be the decisive factors for customers when choosing a new machine. The immediate availability of spare

Industry Europe 33

parts and the professional approach of our staff help to open doors to new customers as well as to satisfy the needs of existing customers,” explains the company’s Sales Director Miloš Holakovský.

Powerful, efficient, progressive The manufacturing programme includes four groups of products: table-type machine tools for universal purposes and high-performance parts machining; large WRD-series floor-type machine tools for demanding technological operations performed on the largest workpieces; machining centres with the most progressive modern tools; and gantry-type machining centres for general high-performance, high-precision machining of steel and cast-iron parts.

The WHN (Q) 13 CNC machine continues to be the company’s flagship product – this is a universal horizontal milling and boring machine designed for precise milling, line-coordinate drilling, boring and thread cutting of box- and board-type workpieces as well as complicated workpieces from cast iron, steel cast iron and steel with a weight of up to 25,000 kg. The first model of the machine was produced in 1968 and so far, nearly 2,700 units have been sold to global markets. Last year the WHN (Q) 13 CNC machine accounted for 40% of all production.

The latest additions to the portfolio include a new dual-type WHT 110/130 – a milling and boring machine – a powerful, efficient representative of the company’s advanced generation, which responds to the need for modern progressive technology.

“We have great ambitions for these machines and would like to see their sales gradually reach the level of the WHN (Q) 13 CNC. 34 Industry Europe

With this combination, we can offer our customers a classic, powerful, horizontal machine and a modern, fast, and highly productive machining centre. We believe that with today’s trend for using higher cutting speeds and feed rates, customers will be looking specifically for these machines,” says Miloš Holakovský.

Digital future The pandemic has further accelerated the trend of digitisation, and TOS Varnsdorf has responded quickly and professionally – the company has devised new ways of inspecting all machines virtually, at all sizes, equipment levels and technological accessories, and has even launched virtual handover of machines.

Holakovský says: “Since the coronavirus pandemic did not halt production, new, completed machines accumulated and were stored in-house during the first few months of 2021. As result of border closures, our customers could not collect their machines.

Moreover, at that time nobody could reliably predict how long the pandemic and the lockdowns would last, and when travel would once again be possible. That is why we agreed with our customers on virtual handovers of their machines.”

He explains that customers could remotely check the machine’s operation for the individual applications uploaded into the machine’s control systems. The handovers also included measuring the accuracy of the machine’s positioning and culminated with a machining test for a NASA item. All the handovers accomplished in this manner were successful.

“The last two years have clearly shown the benefits of Industry 4.0, and we have included remote diagnostics and maintenance in

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING

the services offered to our clients: TOSwide Service, a modern tool for increasing productivity, enabling the diagnosis of all machine functions, monitoring of the status of inputs and outputs, and a check on active machining parameters.”

By now the company already has 500 machines with remote diagnostics in operation in various countries, connecting the customer’s machine with the manufacturer’s service department online.

This enables the diagnosis of possible failures of the machine or system immediately after the report from the customer and thus significantly shortens the service intervention time.

Proud of its ability to deliver a complete customised solution to customers, the company is set, post-pandemic, to continue this tradition for delivering satisfaction by maintaining a focus on enhancement both of its products and of its services. n

RETOS VARNSDORF s.r.o RETOS VARNSDORF s.r.o. is a traditional Czech company. We are located at the premises, where in 1915 under the name „Arno Plauert, Maschinenfabrik“ the first horizontal boring mills were produced. In 1993, RETOS VARNSDORF was founded as a remanufacturer for TOS VARNSDORF machines. Our products benefit from the experience, know-how and the network in the region. Today, we also produce and sell world-wide horizontal boring mills of our own design. We have specialised in specific boring mills including table type, floor type and T-type machines in CNC or conventional versions, among them the famous solid conventional W100A.

Industry Europe 35

NEWS

New developments in Construction & Engineering

EU green-lights €209m Hungarian aid for new EV battery plant

by Elizabeth Gregory

H

ungary has gained EC approval for a €209 million investment aid in a new ‘SK On Hungary’ power plant.

The new plant will be built in Iváncsa, in the Közép-Dunántúl region and will manufacture lithium-ion battery cells and battery modules for electric vehicles. It is set to have an annual capacity of 30 GWh and will create at least 1,900 jobs.

According to the European Commission, Hungary first announced its intentions to grant the €209 million in December 2021.

Under the rules of Regional State aid, aid must have a real ‘incentive effect’ – as well as meet a larger roster of measures. On Tuesday, the EC announced it found the grant proposal was in line with these rules.

The commission said that without the investment, the project would simply take place in another more developed European region than Central Transdanubia. So as well as boosting jobs, the aid was seen as the minimum necessary amount to boost Hungarian investments.

SK On Hungary’s own investment in the plant is €1,623 million. SK On Hungary is subsidiary of SK Innovation, a South Korean industrial company active in energy, chemicals, logistics, services, semiconductors and information and communications technology.

EC State Aid is given to certain companies as support, but because of the overwhelming benefits it provides, it needs to be heavily justified.

Although the €209 million Hungarian investment seems like a huge figure, on Monday a €2 billion Austrian aid scheme, to help with the rollout of broadband networks, was approved by the commission. Similarly, on 16 March, a €1.4 billion Czech scheme to partially compensate energyintensive companies was approved.

How 3D printing is inspiring the next generation of engineers

by Ash Jones

T

housands of schoolchildren in England and Northern Ireland have been given a chance to learn the potential of additive manufacturing in STEM training thanks to an initiative by Shropshire 3D. The firm has supplied printers to 275 schools, which will allow the children to gain first-hand experience in the fields of engineering, computeraided design (CAD), measurement and other skills essential for a career in manufacturing.

One school the company worked with was the Hadley Learning Community Secondary school, which saw a member of the team deliver a twohour session with 24 students on reverse engineering being exposed to real-world design problems.

This led to the creation of a STEM club in the school, which saw over 60 students arrive for the first event, and has seen them visit major manufacturing hubs, such as a Jaguar Land Rover plant and the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry, where the students got to use a state-of-the-art 3D printer which has since been delivered to the International Space Station.

“My aim was to ensure that students can see the latest technology in action, and how it works in real life,” Natalie Stewart, who led Hadley Secondary School’s STEM club, said.

36 Industry Europe

“There are highly skilled, highly paid jobs which need STEM knowledge, and exposure to additive manufacturing in school has introduced our students to this technology while at the same time enabling them to compete for highly sought-after careers,” she added.

Shropshire 3D says equipping students to understand potential technologies associated with Industry 4.0 is essential for a career in modern manufacturing.

In addition, teachers will always have the offer of intensive training of products to ensure they are fully up to speed on how to use them.

Shropshire 3D was founded in 2014 specifically to focus on education and the use of 3D printing, eventually choosing to work with the MakerBot 3D range.

These printers reportedly offer opportunities to learn about various STEM subjects, helping create links between mathematics, design and physics, biology and engineering.

“I am passionate about creating awareness and training to schools across England and Northern Ireland on the MakerBot printer range of products to assist teachers and learners in the development of engineering and design,” Shropshire 3D’s Director Paul Brewer said.

He added that “an ageing workforce means that hundreds of thousands of skilled technicians and professional engineering roles will need replacing over the next ten years”, meaning it was imperative that the next generation is trained in the fields of STEM and manufacturing.

Visit: www.shropshire3dprinters.co.uk

CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING NEWS

INDUSTRYNEWS New Epson 3D printer can use commonly-found materials

by Ash Jones

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imited access to materials is currently considered one of the barriers to the adoption of 3D printing, but a new printer unveiled

by Japan’s Epson could help these difficulties become a thing of the past.

Epson’s flat screw design can reportedly better control temperature and regulate how much material is used in production. Credit: Seiko Epson Corporation Reportedly able to make use of commonly found third-party materials, such as resin or metal pellets, the team designed the printer to fabricate the “strength and accuracy” for industrial use, which could present more versatile applications compared to other 3D printers.

Commercial 3D printers typically require the use of special modelling materials, which can limit applications in the real world. By utilising more common materials, the printers could see more widespread use.

Epson 3D printer that uses common materials. Credit: Seiko Epson Corporation A full-body shot of the 3D printer. Credit: Seiko Epson Corporation

It also uses a unique method of printing that involves a flat screw, in line with similar processes developed by the firm, which it claims both increases the number of materials it can print and supposedly tightly controls the amount of material used during printing.

“In addition, the amount of material injected is precisely controlled by regulating the pressure within the head and by regulating the action of a valve in concert with the modelling speed.

The temperature at the surface of a piece being printed must also be controlled in order to obtain the required strength”, the company claimed in a statement.

The temperature is tightly controlled by a “mechanism” to achieve the desired strength and accuracy during the printing process.

Epson claims these more common materials are available for a cheaper price than typical materials, which could stand to lower another major barrier for entry in the sector.

Outside of metal and resin, the printer also offers the ability to use biomass pellets and thermoplastics, which can provide much-needed heat resistance to final products.

Holcim & Eni explore new ‘green’ cement tech

by Romana Moares

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wiss-based building materials producer Holcim is partnering with Italian oil and gas company Eni to repurpose CO2 from its operations into green cement.

Eni is putting its carbon capture and mineralisation expertise to work to store CO2 into olivine, a widely available mineral. Researchers at Holcim’s Innovation Centre are exploring the use of this carbonated olivine as a new low emission raw material for the formulation of its green cement.

Holcim and Eni’s global operations, combined with olivine’s broad availability worldwide, would make this Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) solution highly scalable. It would enable the permanent sequestration of CO2 into building materials for greener construction, adding to Holcim’s broad range of innovative low emission raw materials. This partnership is in line with Holcim’s net-zero journey as well as Eni’s commitment to decarbonise its sector.

Edelio Bermejo, Head of Holcim’s Innovation Centre, said: “The world needs transformational technologies to accelerate our transition to netzero. With the storage of CO2 in new minerals like olivine, we are expand-

The use of common materials could see more widespread industrial use for the creation of parts, the company claims.

“It is ideally suited to mass customisation, as it can produce small batches of parts tailored to customers’ needs with higher quality, shorter lead times, and at a fraction of the cost of traditional manufacturing processes”, it added.

In the near-future Epson will be looking to work on any hitches the printer may have before looking at commercialisation.

This new design was first unveiled at the International Robot Exhibition 2022 on March 9, alongside demonstrations of other Epson 3D printers.

Visit: https://global.epson.com

ing our range of green cement solutions, to make sustainable construction a reality around the world, while reducing the footprint of our operations.”

Holcim is currently mapping its most relevant sites in Europe to conduct industrial-scale pilots, to decarbonise its operations while expanding its green cement range. Its research team will focus on characterising the mechanical properties of carbonated olivine in concrete production as a new breakthrough raw material.

This new partnership adds to Holcim’s Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage portfolio, with over thirty projects across the US, Canada and Europe, ranging from recycling CO2 for crop growth in greenhouses, all the way to using it as a source of alternative fuel for aviation.

Visit: www.holcim.com

Industry Europe 37

SMART THERMAL SOLUTIONS Baxi has a proud tradition of developing and producing boilers and heating systems to the highest technological standards, while anticipating market trends such as the current focus on hydrogen.

38 Industry Europe

CONSUMER GOODS

B

axi needs no introduction - the name is associated with boilers and heating solutions that are used by millions of consumers around the world. The Italian company, a member of the Netherlands-headquartered BDR Thermea Group, has utilised the synergies of one of Europe’s largest manufacturers and distributors of domestic and commercial water and space heating systems to further strengthen its business worldwide.

The company has a strong foothold in its native Italy, where it operates the largest plant in the sector in Europe for the production of wall-mounted boilers, focusing on continuous improvement and lean production, and practicing a zero-defect policy.

The state-of-the-art Baxi plant in Bassano del Grappa occupies an area of 100,000 m2 and houses 14 production lines producing up to 3,000 boilers a day, warehouses and a large area dedicated to logistics management.

Around 30 trucks pass through every day to bring Baxi boilers to customers in Italy and over 70 other countries around the world.

The green boiler A pioneer in the concept of hybrid systems, Baxi offers a complete range of energy-efficient products to ensure maximum comfort and savings, which has evolved over the years from offering a single product to an integrated system with renewable sources.

The product portfolio includes hybrid systems, domestic boilers, high-power condensing boilers, heat pumps and air conditioners for both residential and commercial settings, fan coils, kettles, water heaters, solar systems, user modules.

Baxi has invested considerable resources in researching sustainability and environmentally-friendly options. Its integrated hybrid system is a solution that offers substantial benefits both in terms of

Industry Europe 39

energy efficiency and cost savings for each kWh of energy produced, as well as reduced emissions.

The latest new product with zero-emissions by Baxi is the first premixed domestic boiler with pure hydrogen produced using renewable energy without CO and CO2 emissions.

Conceived and developed at Baxi’s Bassano del Grappa R&D centre, which is BDR Thermea Group’s main research facility for hydrogen boiler technology. Its pilot installation was implemented

in 2019 in Rozenburg (Netherlands) and later also in Great Britain, France and Germany.

Now, the premixed domestic boiler is ready for series production and large-scale distribution.

Joining forces Although the roots of the company go back many decades, a decisive milestone for the Italian business came in 2010, when Baxi merged with De Dietrich and Remeha to form BDR Thermea, soon to become a major manufacturer and distributer of sustainable, smart climate and sanitary hot water solutions and services.

Operating on a global scale, the Group offers innovative, cuttingedge solutions reflecting market developments and customers’ preference for smart thermal comfort solutions that are efficient, cost effective and, increasingly, environmentally friendly.

BDR Thermea continues to be committed to the development of new heating technologies that can play a major role in tackling climate change. Its range now includes biomass boilers, solar collectors and heat pumps, as well as unique developments in what will be the favoured heating solution in the future - microcogeneration (mCHP).

The Group is also at the forefront of developments in hydrogen boiler technology, and is the first company in Europe to receive certification for the use of hydrogen admixture in domestic boilers in the Netherlands.

An exceptional year Against all odds imposed by the global pandemic, Baxi achieved an outstanding performance in 2021. The Bassano del Grappa-based company exceeded the milestone of 600,000 boilers produced, and 40 Industry Europe

CONSUMER GOODS

achieved a turnover of €345 million, with a year-on-year growth of 30% in the global market and 40% in Italy.

“An incomparable satisfaction” stated the General Manager, Alberto Favero. “2021 inherited the unknowns of 2020, with the now-familiar difficulties of finding components, encouraging commercial exchanges, and of promoting new products through face-toface meetings.”

“But the supply chain has held up well, thanks above all to the tax incentives, which have sustained the high level of demand for improved building energy efficiency. Hence the increased demand for Baxi condensing boilers. Our hybrid systems, i.e., integrated systems with renewable sources sold already assembled, also contributed significantly to our business growth,” he added.

He affirms that behind Baxi’s successes is also the strength of a Group that holds world leadership in the heating sector.

With 6,300 employees, BDR Thermea is now present in over 100 countries. In 2021, the Group exceeded €2 billion in turnover thanks to increased sales achieved by all its subsidiaries but in particular of Baxi SpA that recorded the greatest growth.

“We are honoured to be part of the BDR Thermea Group and to be recognised internally as the research and development centre of excellence,” said Favero. “We are perfectly aligned with the commercial strategies, the strategic visions and, above all, the values shared by all the sister companies: attention to the customer, the ability to work as a team and the will to build a sustainable future,” n he concluded.

Industry Europe 41

NEWS

New developments in Consumer Goods

Plastic packaging increases pollution & food waste, research finds

by Steven Gislam

F

ood retailers and suppliers should ditch plastic packaging and start selling fresh fruit and vegetables loose, a new study has recommended, arguing that it does not make them last longer and contributes to food waste and pollution.

Conducted by UK-based sustainability charity Wrap over a period of 18 months, the study looked at sales of apples, potatoes, broccoli, bananas and cucumbers and its findings appear to debunk the idea that plastic wrappers help prevent food waste.

Instead, the research found that packaging often forces people to buy more than they need, increasing the problem of wasted food, as well as adding to plastic waste.

Marcus Gover, Wrap’s CEO, said that while packaging was important and does play a critical role in protecting food, the research had found that plastic wrapping “doesn’t necessarily prolong the life of uncut fresh produce”. “It can in fact increase food waste in this case,” he added.

Every year, almost half a million tonnes of fresh vegetables and salad, as well as a quarter of a million tonnes of fresh fruit, is thrown away in the UK alone, amounting to around £2.1 billion. With around a third of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions come from food and drink, it is also bad for the environment.

While many supermarkets sell many of the items examined in the Wrap study loose already, the charity says the research presents compelling evidence to sell more fresh fruit and vegetables in this way.

With both energy and food prices rising, there is also a strong economic argument for making the changes.

“This helps save the planet and us money at the same time,” said Gover.

Wrap said while it accepts that it would take time for things to change, it will begin consulting the UK government, the Food Standards Agency, and the wider food industry to make loose produce a reality in British supermarkets by 2025.

Visit: https://wrap.org.uk

Unilever to “set new standard” for nutritional transparency

by Steven Gislam

C

onsumer goods giant Unilever has revealed its plan to set a new standard for transparency in the nutritional content of food products, becoming the first major player to publicly report its products’ performance, following a successful campaign by shareholders.

Unilever said that it will publish assessments annually with the first to come in October this year. These reports will cover around 25,000 of its products and will see how they measure up against six different government-endorsed Nutrient Profile Models (NPMs).

NPMs are a tool used to differentiate foods and drinks on the basis of nutritional content.

This can then be used by regulators, with an aim to restrict the advertising of products with high fat, salt or sugar to children.

The NPMs that Unilever will use are the High Fat Salt Sugar from the UK, Nutri-Score, which is used in a number of European countries, Health Star Rating, used in Australia and New Zealand, Front of Pack logos from Chile, Singapore’s Healthy Choice, as well as Choices International, a global nutritional science foundation.

The 16 markets in which the company’s products are to be assessed against NPMs are the United States, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, France, DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), UK & Ireland, Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Turkey, South Africa, Indonesia, India, China and Australia.

42 Industry Europe

The announcement comes after what Unilever described in a statement, as “extensive, constructive engagement” with responsible investment charity ShareAction.

In January 2022, ShareAction and over 100 institutional and individual investors co-filed a shareholder resolution urging Unilever to significantly increase sales of its healthier food and drinks.

It said that while Unilever - often seen as a poster child for sustainability among global corporations had a “crucial blind spot” with regard to the health profile of its foods and drinks.

The Access to Nutrition Initiative, a major benchmarking organisation for food companies and their investors, last year found that just 17% of Unilever’s food and beverage sales were derived from healthier products.

This was a smaller proportion than many of its competitors, including Danone (61%), Nestlé (43%), Kraft Heinz (36%), General Mills (29%) and Kellogg (26%).

The resolution was due to be voted on at the company’s AGM in the Spring but has now been withdrawn.

In a press release, Unilever said it would “set stretching nutrition targets for its portfolio” including timebound plant-based sales and salt, sugar and calorie reduction targets.

It added that the new targets will be published in October 2022 and it would be “guided by” the latest Access to Nutrition Initiative’s

assessment and recommendations when considering improvements.

Hanneke Faber, Unilever’s President of Foods & Refreshment, said: “We [and ShareAction] share a common belief in the importance of having an ambitious long-term strategy for nutrition and health, and that companies should publish ambitious targets to deliver against.

“I am confident that with these new initiatives, we will set a new benchmark for nutrition transparency in our industry and accelerate our positive impact on public health.”

The company has said that, going ahead, it will engage quarterly with ShareAction and investors in 2022 and 2023, and biannually thereafter.

Catherine Howarth, CEO of ShareAction, welcomed Unilever’s new commitments, saying that the company has the power to improve the health of millions worldwide.

She said: “The transparency promised sets a new standard for the industry. We hope and expect that others will follow. ShareAction and the Healthy Markets investor coalition looks forward to working closely with Unilever as the company sets stretching new targets to sell healthier food and improve people’s health.”

The announcement from Unilever comes on the heels of a similar situation with UK supermarket giant Tesco. Last year ShareAction coordinated the first health-based resolution filed at a FTSE100 firm when it made similar demands of Tesco. The resolution was withdrawn after Tesco agreed to the requests.

Visit: www.unilever.com

CONSUMER GOODS NEWS

INDUSTRYNEWS The EU wants to end fast fashion by 2030

by Steven Gislam

T

he European Commission has revealed its plans for taking on fast fashion, textile waste and the destruction of unsold garments as part of a strategy to make textiles more durable, repairable, reusable and recyclable.

European textile consumption ranks number four in terms of environmental impact in the bloc, after food, housing and transport. The sector is also the third-highest for water consumption and land use, and fifth for use of raw materials.

Used in clothing, household goods, furniture, medical and protective equipment, textiles weave an integral part of everyday life, and the production and consumption of textile products continue to grow, along with the environmental impact.

According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, between 2000 and 2015, global textile production almost doubled and the European Environment Agency (EEA) has projected the consumption of clothing and footwear to grow 63% by the end of the decade, from 62 million tonnes now to 102 million tonnes in 2030.

Clothing accounts for some 81% of the EU’s textile consumption and the rising trend of buying cheaper garments, which are used for a shorter period of time before being thrown away is contributing to what the Commission describes

as “unsustainable patterns of overproduction and overconsumption,” better known as fast fashion.

Some 5.8 million tonnes of textiles are discarded every year in the EU - approximately 11kg per person - and every second somewhere in the world a truckload of textiles is landfilled or incinerated.

On top of the environmental consequences, the global textile value chain is fraught with social problems, such as the use of child labour and sweatshops, which are largely a result of the pressures to minimise production costs to meet consumer demand for affordable clothing.

It is to this backdrop, amid rising concerns about the lack of sustainability and social justice, that the Commission released the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles. The Strategy aims

DW Reusables acquires Croatian converter

by Romana Moares

D

W Reusables, a manufacturer of injection moulded beverage crates, pallets and other reusable packaging is expanding eastwards in with the acquisition of Croatian injection moulding and extrusion company.

The purchase of Stražaplastika will further expand DW Reusables’ portfolio of reusable crates, pallets, and containers for the beverage industry, with an extended range of trays, totes and carriers for the food, agriculture, construction, and automotive market among others.

With 227 employees in Hum na Sutli and two other facilities located in Probištip Macedonia and Subotica, Serbia, this acquisition will strengthen the company to further develop the tremendous potential of reusable packaging for customers in Europe, Africa, Asia and North & South America.

DW Reusables Chief Executive Paul Baeyens said: ‘We see this as a great opportunity for the further development and expansion of our product portfolio. With the growing demand for reusable packaging, the extra capacity comes at the right moment, and will help us meeting our customers’ demand all over the world.’

DW Reusables is a major provider of injection moulded returnable packaging. With its headquarters in Bilzen, Belgium, and four manufacturing

to ensure that by 2030, textiles placed on the EU market are “long-lived and recyclable, made as much as possible of recycled fibres, free of hazardous substances and produced in respect of social rights and the environment”.

In terms of specific measures, the Strategy includes ecodesign requirements for textiles, clearer information, a Digital Product Passport, as well as a compulsory extended producer responsibility scheme.

Plans also contain measures to tackle the release of microplastics from textiles, provide a boost to circular business models including reuse and repair services, and tighten controls of greenwashing.

To take on fast fashion, the Strategy calls on businesses to reduce the number of collections each year and to take further action to minimise their environmental impact. EU Member States are also being urged to push through favourable taxation measures to encourage the growth of the reuse and repair sector The bloc says the new measures will ultimately be of benefit to consumers, despite the higher prices of clothing that would likely come if the proposed Strategy becomes law, with longer-lasting and higher quality garments.

The Commission also presented an outline with a number of possible scenarios for a textiles ecosystem transition pathway and invited stakeholders to express their views on how best to realise the transition.

sites strategically located in Europe, they are worldwide leader in the field of returnable packaging such as beverage crates, pallets, trays and totes.

Looking to the future the company is well-positioned to capitalise on growing environmental concerns and interest in sustainability with their ‘Loop Ready Packaging’ (robust, re-usable, returnable, and fully recyclable packaging options) ideal for closed-loop systems.

Visit: www.dwreusables.com

Industry Europe 43

NEWS

New developments in Energy & Utilities

New Microsoft data centre could heat Helsinki homes

by Ash Jones

E

xcess heat generated by a new Microsoft data centre in the Helsinki area may be used to warm nearby buildings owing to a new partnership between the tech giant and Finnish energy firm Fortum.

The plant, which is set to run on 100% renewable energy, will see waste heat transferred from the building’s systems to supply up to 250,000 users in nearby homes, businesses and service stations.

The location of the data centre was specifically chosen with this service in mind and makes use of around 900km of underground piping provided

by Fortum that runs under the Helsinki metropolitan area into the cities of Espoo and Kauniainen and the town of Kirkkonummi.

Data centres are important for tech companies and serve as a hub for servers, storage or telecoms. They, therefore, require a lot of power.

“Developing solutions for the global climate challenge together with partners is a strategic priority for Fortum, and we are proud to embark on this exceptional journey together with Microsoft”, Markus Rauramo, President and CEO of Fortum, said in a statement.

“Sometimes the most sustainable solutions are simple ones: By tapping into waste heat from data centres, we can provide clean heat for homes, businesses and public buildings in Espoo’s and the neighbouring communities’ district heating network in Finland, and reduce about 400,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

“This is a significant step for a cleaner world, made possible by our joint ambition to mitigate climate change”.

District heating is a common method of heating homes in Finland, with some sources claiming it is by far the most common form of heating in the nation.

In essence, it is a heating system popular in cities that generates, captures and distributes heat on a large scale.

Traditionally, the heat is transferred through hot water and is pumped through underground pipes.

These networks often make use of fossil fuels, and newer systems are looking to phase these out by using renewable electricity, heat pumps and utilisation of waste heat. Fortum also claims AI will be used to “optimise” operations.

Once the new data centre is up and running, as much as 60% of the area’s heating will be generated through waste heat, the company claims.

Of this, 40% will be from the data centre region and the remaining from other heat sources such as purified wastewater.

Finland’s Prime Minister described the decision to capture surplus heat and use it to power local homes as a “win-win”.

“It will aid Finland’s digital growth while making our energy system greener. I also hope that this collaboration can serve as a model to other countries and cities looking for means to achieve the double transformation of climate neutrality and digital competitiveness”, PM Sanna Marin said.

Visit: www.microsoft.com

Ultra low-carbon fuels project underway in Texas

by Steven Gislam

C

lean fuels specialist Infinium has teamed up with US energy firm Denbury to develop ultra-low carbon fuels in the US state of Texas.

Infinium electrofuels facilities, currently under development in Brazoria County, Texas, will convert renewable power into green hydrogen. This will then be combined with industrially-sourced CO2 to produce ultra-low carbon fuels using Infinium technology.

“The transportation industry is responsible for a significant portion of global carbon emissions, and Infinium’s ultra-low carbon electrofuels solutions are a powerful tool to combatting climate change,” said Robert Schuetzle, CEO of Infinium.

“Infinium fuels are instant replacements for traditional jet and diesel fuel that may be used directly in planes, ships and truck fleets without changes in infrastructure or engine design. We are thrilled to enter into this strategic alliance with Denbury and to have the opportunity to reuse industrial CO2 waste for clean fuel production.”

44 Industry Europe

For its part in the partnership, Denbury will source and transport CO2 to the Infinium facilities, which are planned to be located near Denbury’s existing and planned CO2 pipeline infrastructure.

Denbury has estimated that the necessary pipeline infrastructure will be ready by 2025.

It is anticipated the facilities will use utilise 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 per year that would otherwise have entered into the atmosphere.

“Our agreement with Infinium is another exciting opportunity for Denbury to partner with a company that is aligned with our strategy to develop worldleading carbon solutions, and we welcome the

opportunity to potentially invest alongside Infinium in these projects,” said Chris Kendall, Denbury’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

“This innovative and highly scalable utilisation of industrial-sourced CO2 will be an important element in the spectrum of solutions that Denbury can offer to industrial CO2 emitters. Infinium’s ultralow carbon intensity electrofuels produced using industrial-sourced CO2 will provide a powerful tool to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation in our country and the world.”

“Reducing the emissions profile of the Gulf Coast, and around the world, is a tremendous opportunity and the right thing to do for our economy and environment,” added Schuetzle.

The partnership announcement came less than a month after Infinium revealed a similar partnership in Dunkirk, France.

The company is teaming up there with Italian energy giant Engie on a project to convert hundreds of thousands of tonnes of CO2 emissions per year from an ArcelorMittal steel plant into electrofuels for aviation and shipping.

Visit: https://infiniumco.com

ENERGY & UTILITIES NEWS

INDUSTRYNEWS Europe is exceeding its renewable energy targets

by Ash Jones

R

enewable energy in Europe has more than doubled since 2004, while taking up a larger percentage of the electricity mix year-on-year, according to the latest report from the EU’s own stats office Eurostat.

Electricity generation through renewable sources accounted for a 37% share in 2020, up from 34% in 2019 and represented 22% of the total energy consumed in the bloc - shooting past the 2020 target of 20%, hinting the EU is surpassing its targets and is on its way to becoming net-zero by 2050.

Wind and hydropower accounted for two-thirds of renewable generation in 2020 with a 36% and 33% share, respectively, followed by biofuels and solar energy with 8% and 14%.

Eurostat claims solar is currently the fastest growing method for generation on the continent. In 2008 it only accounted for 1% of the energy mix.

The share of energy from renewable sources used in transport activities in the EU reached 10.2 % in 2020.

In April 2021, EU leaders enshrined the bloc’s net-zero targets into law. It has also announced the “Fit for 55” package to help slash greenhouse gas emissions.

Among the EU Member States, more than 70% of electricity consumed in 2020 was generated from renewable sources in Austria (78%) and Sweden (75%).

The generation of electricity from renewable sources was also high and accounted for more than half of the electricity consumed in Denmark (65%), Portugal (58%), Croatia and Latvia (both 53%).

On the other end of the spectrum, less than 10% of electricity generation was done through renewa-

Wind and solar reach 10% of global electricity in 2021

by Elizabeth Gregory

A

newly released analysis shows that for the first time, wind and solar electricity account for 10% of global electricity generated, twice the amount compared to 2015, when the Paris Climate Agreement was signed.

The findings, published by independent energy think tank Ember, also showed that 38% of global electricity came from clean power in 2021.

“Wind and solar have arrived,” said Dave Jones, Global lead of Ember.

“Even as coal and power emissions hit another all-time high, there are clear signs that the global electricity transition is well underway.”

In order to meet global heating targets of 1.5 degrees, wind and solar need to keep high compound growth rates of 20% for the next eight years, but Ember said that “this is now eminently possible”.

Wind and solar are the cheapest source of electricity on a levelised basis, and countries around the world have increasing experience in harnessing natural power.

This optimistic news follows a year of increasingly ambitious global climate policies, as well as concerning data. In February the UN’s 2022 IPCC report found that 3.45 billion people are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, one in three people around the world are currently exposed to deadly heat stress and that one billion people are going to live in a flood-prone coastal zone by 2050.

Governments around the world have been responding to these mounting threats: This week Germany said it would be investing €4 billion in “natural climate protection”, and Canada set out a C$9.1 billion (€6.55 billion) plan to meet its 2030 climate change targets.

bles in Malta (9.5%) and a little more in Hungary and Cyprus (both 12%).

In terms of raw renewable energy consumption, another data set from Eurostat shows several countries exceeding their renewable energy targets.

Norway, Iceland and Sweden all overachieved on their energy mixes by a significant margin, while the data set hints that only France did not reach its goals, being 3.9% under target.

In total, 26 countries exceeded their targets in some form, while the Netherlands and Belgium are meeting but not exceeding their energy mix targets.

However, Greece’s data is only provisional and is therefore subject to change, while Poland’s was underestimated due to an increased role for biomass in its energy mix.

The coronavirus pandemic saw a slump in fossil fuel demand across the world, but the end of lockdowns saw consumption levels exceed normal levels, putting a dampener on environmental hopes coming out of the crisis.

However, a number of countries have started to pledge net-zero goals in line with expectations both before and after the COP26 summit in Glasgow.

Find out more: https://ec.europa.eu/

At COP26 in November, 137 countries from around the world committed to “halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation” by 2030, and signed the Glasgow Climate Pact and Paris Rulebook – agreements which detailed a set of targets to keep the world within 1.5C of global heating.

However, a BloombergNEF (BNEF) analysis released on Tuesday, said that climate policies of G-20 economies – which account for approximately 80% of global greenhouse gas emissions – have not been implemented in any real way.

The analysis said that despite comprehensive COP26 commitments, “Meaningful domestic efforts to achieve CO2 reductions remain elusive”.

BNEF head of policy Victoria Cuming said, “Talk is cheap – none of the G-20 countries has implemented sufficient concrete incentives and regulations to achieve what’s been promised.”

While the Ember report suggests real headway has been made in green power there is still much room for progress: despite this year’s record rise in wind and solar power generation, the renewable energy sources only covered 29% of the global rise in electricity demand in 2021.

Visit: https://ember-climate.org

Industry Europe 45

NEWS

New developments in Energy & Utilities

Huge new €100m green hydrogen valley planned for Portgual

by Ash Jones

A

collection of some of Portugal’s largest companies have come together to announce the €100 million Nazare Green Hydrogen Valley (NGHV) in the country’s Marinha Grande region.

The consortium, led by Rega Energy and including cement companies Cimpor and Secil, among others, represents nearly 10% of the country’s emissions and offers a significant breakthrough in its attempts to tackle the climate crisis and implement net-zero goals.

This partnership brings together companies across some hard-to-decarbonise sectors such as “cement, waste, glass, fertilizers and ceramics” and could “revolutionise the way Portuguese industry approaches decarbonization through mature and scalable technology”, according to a statement issued by the group.

By utilising renewable energy sources such as solar energy and green hydrogen and blending them with aspects from the circular economy such as recycling wastewater, the NGHV hopes to make a dent in worldwide emissions.

In total, 13 companies form the coalition.“Green hydrogen” refers to hydrogen generated from renewable energy. It is separate from other forms, such as “black hydrogen”, which is generated through fossil fuel use and “pink hydrogen”, which is generated through nuclear energy.

It will include a dedicated energy grid, integrated solar power for electricity generation that will feed the green hydrogen production facility. Intial installed capacity is expected to be around 40MW, with the potential to reach 600MW. By 2025, the project could employ some 1,700 people, the NGHV claims.

The project will start in the Marinha Grande region, scaling into other parts of the Leiria District and into Coimbra, the consortium added.

Portugal is aiming to achieve carbon-neutrality by 2050 in line with general European goals, with an initial goal of reducing emissions by 55% by 2030.

The country has seen other green hydrogen projects, although this is the first on this scale. The country is also breaking ground by becoming the fourth EU country to quit coal, closing its final plant in November. Environmentally-focused political parties have also proposed a total ban on fossil-fuel-powered vehicles.

“With its vast renewable resources, exporting premium products, and recruiting new low-carbon companies, Portugal has the potential to become one of Europe’s low-carbon industry powerhouses,” said Rega Energy CEO Thomass Carrier.

He believes that sobriety, recycling, efficiency and electrification alone are not enough to aid in some heavy industries’ decarbonisation, which is where projects such as the NGHV “come into play”.

“We see the Nazaré Green Hydrogen Valley initiative as the first step toward decarbonizing Portugal’s industry, and we look forward to expanding the concept across the country”, he added.

The plan could ultimately aid in many, if not all, of the major players significantly lowering their emissions, and potentially becoming net-zero by 2050.

The statement put out by the consortium also hinted that excess hydrogen produced could be used to feed other industries, through the infrastructure of natural gas supplier GGND, which is also part of the project.

The hydrogen for the project will be generated through electrolysis and solar will be used to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen.

Construction and implementation of infrastructure is set to commence in 2023, with operations planned for 2025, pending public financial support.

Vist: www.nghv.pt

German “green gas” terminal fast-tracked due to energy crisis

by Ash Jones

G

ermany’s energy transition may have gained a guiding hand due to the ongoing energy crisis thanks to Tree Energy Solutions (TES) deciding to bring its plans for a “green gas” importing hub forward two years due to rising fuel costs.

Soaring energy prices and the Russia-Ukraine war will only continue to threaten European energy prices, and the company confirmed its new terminal - which forms part of its larger green hydrogen hub - was being adjusted to accommodate liquefied natural gas (LNG) in a bid to stem the crisis.

The H2 Import Terminal is part of a €25 billion scheme over the next ten years and could operate 10% of Germany’s gas by 2045.

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The project was set up in 2019 and could start by transporting around 25TWh of green gas per year, with plans to scale this up to as much as 250TWh annually by the time the hub hits full swing.

The company hopes the first phase of the project will be up-and-running by 2025.

“In view of our planned full scale, we are planning 6 independent tanks combined with 6 ship-berths using a novel approach with minimal environmental and visual impact. We are also willing to constructively accommodate any alternative gas importers and still ensure third-party access in line with current DG Energy regulations and practices”, TES’ managing director Paul van Poecke said.

“We believe that managing the current crisis should be done in such a way that long-term climate targets will and do not need to be compromised. The TES-Wilhelmshaven project is a unique project that can exactly do this”, he added.

The hydrogen for the hub will be generated using solar, wind and hydropower in countries with abundant renewable energy infrastructure through

electrolysis, before being shipped to Wilhelmshaven on a fleet of specially-designed ships.

The company reports the generated hydrogen will be turned into so-called “green methane” which will be used as an energy carrier. It will be converted back into hydrogen - by removing the carbon dioxide added during the development process via carbon capture - when it arrives at the hub.

The captured carbon will be returned to the countries where the hydrogen was produced, which TES hopes will form a closed-loop system.

“The primary objective of the European Union’s decarbonisation policy is to achieve the fastest possible reduction of CO2 emissions at the lowest possible cost”, Otto Waterlander, Chief Commercial Officer at TES, said.

“Green hydrogen imported by TES will significantly accelerate the energy transition in Germany and help the mobility, industry and power sectors achieve their decarbonization targets and solve the energy storage problem.

It will make an immediate impact on CO2 emissions and eliminate customers’ exposure to significant CO2 costs”, he added.

Visit: https://tes-h2.com

ENERGY & UTILITIES NEWS

INDUSTRYNEWS Ukraine war has “turbocharged” green hydrogen sector

by Steven Gislam

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reen hydrogen is becoming ever more feasible as an affordable and secure renewable energy source as rising fossil fuel prices push up the cost of its blue and grey counterparts, new research from energy analysts Rystad Energy has predicted.

Green hydrogen was already set to take off this year and pass the 1 GW milestone, but Rystad says the war in Ukraine has “turbocharged the sector”.

This potential boost for green hydrogen would come at the expense of its fossil fuel-related grey and blue alternatives, the costs of which have shot up by 70% since the war began.

Both grey and blue hydrogen are produced using natural gas or a process known as steam reforming. The difference is that while the carbon emitted during the production of blue hydrogen is captured and stored, this is not the case with grey hydrogen.

The EU has announced plans for a €300 million funding package for hydrogen as well as the Hydrogen Accelerator initiative from REPowerEU which aims to reduce the bloc’s dependence on Russian gas. It is also widely expected that a further raft of support packages for green

hydrogen is likely to emerge. Member states have also accelerated their national plans.

“Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the economics of green hydrogen have become increasingly attractive with lower production costs of $4/kg (particularly in the Iberian Peninsula) compared to $14/kg for blue and $12/kg for grey in other parts of Europe,” Rystad said in a press release.

Green hydrogen is produced using only renewable energy, meaning that not only is it emissionsfree but it provides a level of energy security, and offers the potential for growth in regional economies.

Rystad predicts that we may be looking at a fundamental shift in the energy sector, and moving from a world where energy is sourced in a few key regions, to one where production is more spread out.

The research described the decade ahead as being “make or break” for the green hydrogen sector. If the industry is to become a permanent fixture of the global energy mix, Rystad says it will need to increase production to more than 10 million tonnes worldwide by 2030 and cut costs to $1.5/kg.

“While industry and governments are heading in the right direction, their challenge is to lower the risks for green hydrogen investors and create incentives necessary to scale up quickly

Disused New Hampshire landfill could help a town reach net-zero

by Ash Jones

A

disused New Hampshire landfill could soon become the site of a 2.2MW solar farm thanks to a partnership between the town of Derry and US energy company Encore at zero cost to local taxpayers.

If successful, the project could highlight the potential for disused industrial areas and brownfield sites as potential hubs for renewable energy, making land use in towns and cities across the US more space-efficient and saving the town itself around $3.5 million in energy bills annually.

Derry, New Hampshire, as a local authority, had pledged to have all of its electricity generated through renewable energy by 2025, and the project could meet a significant amount of this goal. It is currently contracted to go on for 25 years.

Encore is set to foot the bill for the entire project, which is estimated to cost $5 million. It will also be paying $20,000 per year for the 7-acre plot of land to the town.

Construction is expected to commence in 2023. When finished, it will be the third-largest wind project in the entire State. ”Moving forward with this solar project is a major win for our community and our state,” said Joshua Bourdon, Derry Town Councilor-at-Large and founder of the town’s Net Zero Task Force (NZTF).

“I ran for re-election with a promise to reduce our taxes while maintaining

both the demand and supply. Fundamentally, a world where green hydrogen fulfils the role currently played by oil, gas and coal will look very different,” said Minh Khoi Le, head of hydrogen research with Rystad Energy.

Green hydrogen is increasingly being seen an attractive alternative, with Germany already planning to produce 25 GW by 2040 and Spain on track to produce more than 4 GW by 2030.

However, besides industry applications where hydrogen is already a key feedstock, the amount of hydrogen required to replace gas and coal in Europe’s power sector is enormous – its own gas and coal usage is set to represent 1,020 TWh and 602 TWh in 2030 and 2040, respectively.

If this was to be generated by hydrogen alone it would require about 54 million tonnes of hydrogen in 2030. Europe is currently on track to produce 3 million tonnes of green hydrogen every year by 2030 so the gap is considerable.

In its research, Rystad also identified ammonia as “standing out as one of the key carriers for hydrogen” with the fertiliser industry facilitating trade. Hydrogen carriers store hydrogen in some other chemical state rather than as free hydrogen molecules making them easier to transport.

services through creative solutions. Achieving Net Zero Energy through the efforts of the Task Force and Derry Public Works Dept. contributed to that creative solution”, he added.

“This project is the culmination of 6 years of planning and engineering work”, according to NZTF Chairman Jeff Moulton.

“In advance of this project, the Task Force benchmarked the energy use of all 40 town and school buildings, implemented a number of energy initiatives that are currently saving the Town over $900,000/year”.

In 2018, Derry installed an 86-kW solar project at the Town’s transfer station, which Moulton claims is exceeding its targets.

The task force brings together a number of people and institutions in the town, including schools, planning boards, conservationists and members of the public.

Encore was selected among seven candidates back in September 2021. The company claims the site will be designed to allow for expansion in the future.

The company specialises in converting landfills and brownfield sites into renewable energy generators. By converting them, additional space is not taken away from local communities, which can be used for other purposes, such as building housing or infrastructure.

Developing traditionally undervalued or ignored properties such as landfills is part of the “DNA of the company”, according to Encore CEO Chad Farrell.

“We’re excited to bring our deep expertise in the reuse of landfills as host sites for community-scale solar arrays to Derry to help support the community’s transition to the clean energy economy”.

For more info about the project, visit: https://encorerenewableenergy.com Industry Europe 47

NEWS

New developments in Healthcare

Artificial pancreas could automate insulin levels

by Steven Gislam

T

he idea of an automated insulin pump has always been a dream of diabetics worldwide, and the invention of a new artificial pancreas could bring this idea a step closer to reality.

Developed by Kerala-based Jothydev’s Diabetes and Research Centre (JDC), the artificial pancreas has entered its “fourth stage of testing”, being successfully trialled on a human patient and could lead to insulin shots without the need for expensive or intrusive surgery that can be controlled via your smartphone.

Codenamed the “780G”, it can regulate hormone needs and can increase or decrease insulin dosage when based on glucose levels in the blood, which happens every five or so minutes independent of the user.

Should a dose be calculated incorrectly, the firm also claims it will monitor and administer a corrective dose should it be required.

“The results are amazing. In our first patient, the glucose is remaining within normal range consistently for more than 90% of the time. This is an incredible achievement”, said Dr Jothydev Kesavadev, the clinic’s head and namesake, who led the team that administered the pancreas to its first patient.

Patients with uncontrolled diabetes can develop complications in the heart, kidney, eyes and nerves due to persistently high glucose or can even develop fatal conditions due to dangerously low glucose levels and keeping with level stable is key.

The volatility of glucose levels can lead to patients or their relatives continuing to worry endlessly about the wellbeing of the patient and tackling and automating glucose levels could make living with the disease far easier.

However, JDC states that not all diabetics will require modifications like the 780G. It will be primarily used in type 1 diabetics - which it estimates 75-80% of patients “could require”. As many as 90% of diabetic women

looking to have children and as few as 5% of type 2 diabetics may require the procedure.

Also, despite JDC warning that getting the artificial pancreas installed doesn’t require surgery, the tech could still be prohibitively expensive for the time being.

However, no information on a price range is currently available.

The first trial was conducted on a 26-year old man who wished to remain anonymous. He said: “For several reasons, I haven’t slept peacefully for the last 16 years ever since my diagnosis of diabetes. The new automated insulin delivery device is giving me peaceful sleep and has completely transformed my life for good”.

The pump itself is also waterproof, which could reduce the need to remove it for bathing or make it less likely to perish in bad weather.

Visit: www.jothydev.net

New UK pilot to pioneer digital cancer treatment

by Ash Jones

A

new scheme to tailor-make treatment for cancer patients with a digital twist has been launched by UK healthcare charity Nuffield Health in partnership with Careology with the goal of improving the overall treatment experience.

Through the Careology app, up to 50 cancer patients at Nuffield’s Derby hospital will be able to monitor their health, check for symptoms, vital signs and employ wellbeing measures.

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Healthcare workers will also be able to use the app to monitor those on the ward, removing a potential barrier for communication and allowing them to cater care to the needs of the patient.

“We are committed to providing our patients with the latest technologies and we are excited to see how the piloting of this technology and partnership with Careology progresses”, David Richardson, Hospital Director at Nuffield Health Derby Hospital.

“People undergoing cancer treatment have many different experiences and we hope using this Careology app will provide them with extra support and knowledge so they can understand their treatment pathway”.

As the digital transition comes into focus it could offer new and improved ways of tackling problems in older industries. Digital cancer care could play an important role in better supporting people during and after their treatment.

To aid in the treatment, hospitals and cancer care teams will receive real-time insights through patient-reported data and clinical questionnaires, such as needs assessments, which could support improving health outcomes.

Initial deployment of the app started on February 14.

A cancer diagnosis can be a scary and daunting process. The app could guide healthcare workers in counselling patients or catering to the specific dietary needs that traditionally accompany chemotherapy.

Steve Winton, Head of Digital Services at Nuffield Health said: “At Nuffield Health we understand the important role digital technology plays in healthcare. Providing greater visibility through ‘virtual wards’ supports how complex conditions, like cancer, are treated most effectively.

“We believe the digital cancer care technology Careology provides is truly best in class and will help us to better support our patients, clinical colleagues and hospitals”.

Visit: www.nuffieldhealth.com

HEALTHCARE NEWS

INDUSTRYNEWS New research could pave way for targeted cancer treatment

by Ash Jones

A

new chemical technique discovered by researchers at the University of Leicester could unlock hyper-focused treatments for cancer and other diseases.

The team used proteolysis - the process of breaking proteins down into amino acids - targeting chimeras (PROTACs) as a sort of bridge to aid in the degradation of proteins linked with cancer, which could allow for targeted applications of drugs and other treatments.

In effect, this allows medical experts to manipulate the effectiveness of any cancer treatments by making changes to elements of this PROTAC bridge.

An illustration of a PROTAC, the centre of this new technique.

In medical terms, a “chimera” is anything, be it a person, organ, or tissue that contains cells with different genes than the rest of the person, organ or tissue.

The work, which was published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, describes how the researchers applied this technique to degrade histone deacetylation enzymes (HDACs) with more precision than was previously possible.

The team states that HDACs play an important role in gene regulation, in which genes are switched ‘on’ or ‘off’, and are associated with a range of diseases, from cancer to Alzheimer’s.

Using this method, treatment for diseases could allow for drugs to reach specific structures within a cancerous cell, opening the door for precision treatment.

Hyper-focusing drugs could also stand to increase potency in the required area while also lowering the rest of the body’s exposure, which could limit potential side effects, the researchers state.

“We are really excited about what these new molecules are capable of in cancer cells and their

potential future development in medicines”, said Dr James Hodgkinson, an associate professor in organic chemistry at the university and one of the report’s lead authors.

“Our next steps will involve optimising [targeted cells] chemical structure and biological properties so that one day they can be used to improve the lives of cancer patients”.

The team have received a patent from the European Patent Office for the technique, which will now be fine-tuned.

The research has allowed the team to spearhead research that could lead to a vaccine for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s.

“This work has been the result of a productive three-way collaboration between chemists, biologists and biophysicists - an exciting combination to deliver interdisciplinary research”, said John Schwabe, a professor for structural biology at the University of Leicester and co-author of the study.

“The potential of using specific degrades of therapeutic targets is very powerful”.

This robot performed surgery on a pig without human aid

by Ash Jones

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medical robot has performed laparoscopic surgery on pig tissue without the need for human intervention, marking a breakthrough in the field of autonomous robotics in healthcare.

Designed by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, the Smart Tissue Autonomous Robot (STAR)’s groundbreaking new process was laid out in the Science Robotics Journal on January 28.

More specifically, the robot performed a surgical technique known as intestinal anastomosis, a procedure known for being highly repetitive and needing peerless precision which involves allowing passage between two formerly disjointed parts of the intestine, usually due to a bowel condition or blockage. It is often considered one of the most difficult to perform surgeries in the field.

Even the slightest error can cause a tear or leak, with potentially catastrophic results.

“Our findings show that we can automate one of the most intricate and delicate tasks in surgery: the reconnection of two ends of an intestine”, said senior author Axel Krieger, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Johns Hopkins’ Whiting School of Engineering.

“The STAR performed the procedure in four animals and it produced significantly better results than humans performing the same procedure”.

For the project, the team worked alongside the Children’s National Hospital in Washington DC and other scientists at the university to

perfect the design for suturing soft tissue. It was based on an earlier 2016 design that performed a surgery that successfully repaired a pig’s intestines.

The team equipped STAR with new features for enhanced autonomy and improved surgical precision, including specialised surgical tools and high tech interfaces that provide a more detailed picture of the surgical field.

The team reports that soft tissue surgery is often difficult for robots due to unpredictability - perhaps due to the increased precision required with less overall or softer matter - which requires adaptability and lightning reflexes to handle unexpected obstacles.

The authors claim it is the first robotic system to plan, adapt, and execute a surgical plan in soft tissue with minimal human intervention.

Jin Kang, a Johns Hopkins professor of electrical and computer engineering, who helped design the STAR system, said: “We believe an advanced three-dimensional machine vision system is essential in making intelligent surgical robots smarter and safer”.

He added that a light-based 3D endoscope and a machine learningbased tracking algorithm helps guide the STAR during the surgery.

“Robotic anastomosis is one way to ensure that surgical tasks that require high precision and repeatability can be performed with more accuracy and precision in every patient independent of surgeon skill”, Krieger said.

“We hypothesize that this will result in a democratized surgical approach to patient care with more predictable and consistent patient outcomes”.

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NEWS

New developments in Healthcare

BioNTech has created a mobile vaccine factory for rollout in Africa

by Steven Gislam President Nana AkufoAddo of Ghana

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ioNTech, the German biotech firm that co-developed the first Western Covid-19 shot, has unveiled a mobile vaccine factory to aid the vaccine rollout across regions with limited access to supplies.

Housed in shipping containers, the factories will consist of two separate modules called BioNTainers. The units, consisting of 12 containers in total, will produce around 50 million doses of the mRNA vaccine on a not-forprofit basis in developing countries.

Transportable by road, rail, air or sea, the modules will also be capable of producing future BioNTech mRNA-based vaccines such as malaria and tuberculosis shots, as well as treatments for cancer that are currently undergoing clinical trials.

While no figure was given for the overall cost, BioNTech said that it would cover the cost of the factories’ development, manufacturing and shipping.

According to the company, such mobile factories could help boost the medicine manufacture for poorer communities in remote or underdeveloped regions. At present, vaccine mass production is largely reliant on sophisticated laboratories in industrialised countries.

The modular nature of the factories will also make scaling up of production much easier by adding more modules and sites to the network.

BioNTech also said that it would work alongside local labs on quality control, one of the most critical parts of the manufacturing process, to make sure the composition, strength and purity are up to standard.

The BioNTainer was unveiled at a meeting at the BioNTech manufacturing plant in Marburg, Germany.

Attendees included BioNTech CEO Prof. Ugur Sahin, the presidents of Ghana, Rwanda and Senegal, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and Germany’s Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Svenja Schulze.

Ghanian President Nana Akufo-Addo praised the modular factories, saying: “Today represents a momentous day for Mother Africa. Another step in the process towards self-reliance has been taken.

“We want to achieve self-sufficiency in vaccine production to meet future national, regional and continental needs for health security. Ghana reaffirms her determination to make this Pan-African vaccine project work and succeed.”

Prof. Ugur Sahin, CEO and Co-founder of BioNTech, added: “Today’s milestone brings us one step closer to our goal of improving healthcare by making our innovations accessible worldwide.

“I am grateful for the support of the great leaders and experts who joined us today. It is an honour to work with them to make a difference and to support sustainable vaccine access, establishing regional manufacturing facilities in Africa – with the people on the African continent. I am optimistic that the next time we meet in front of BioNTainers, it will not be in Europe, but in Africa.”

Visit: https://biontech.de

Doctolib becomes France’s most valuable startup

by Ash Jones

O

nline portal Doctolib has become France’s largest tech startup thanks to a recent wave of funding that brought its value soar to around €5.8 billion.

Its latest wave of funding raked in €500 million in “both equity and debt” which will supposedly allow the firm, which provides a platform to book medical appointments, including consultations and vaccines, from a smartphone app to create 3,500 employees across 30 cities in France.

This will see the app more than double its current workforce, with the planned expansion expected over the next decade.

“I am convinced that digital technology is an essential partner in the daily lives of caregivers and patients and that we can have a humanistic approach to health innovation”, the company’s CEO Stanislas Niox-Chateau said in a post on LinkedIn.

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“This is what we have been trying to prove since the creation of Doctolib, almost 10 years ago now. And this is only the beginning”, he added.

Founded in 2013, the platform operates a software-as-a-service model for doctors and medical professionals which rose to prominence during the pandemic. Its service has prevented the need for people to go out and book medical appointments, which could risk transmitting the virus.

The platform claims to have over 60 million users, which will have direct access to an apparent pool of 300,000 healthcare professionals through a network of European cities.

The system boasts 250 hospitals under its network, 50% of which are university hospitals.

700 new positions have already been opened for 2022, the CEO revealed in the post.

Its expansion plans include “dematerialising” prescriptions, likely meaning they will become entirely digital or through direct messaging with healthcare professionals.

Given one-in-five users of the platform are over 55 - nearly 90% in top urban areas - this could greatly increase accessibility to healthcare and decrease the risk of transmission among the most vulnerable in society.

However, with a subscription coming in at €129 per month, its price could be a hurdle for some.

Like much of the developed world, France operates a universal healthcare system that is considered among the best in the world, and has seen particular praise for its efficiency. 96% of the country uses its public healthcare system.

It does offer a higher tier for those able to pay, and not all services are covered by the mandatory insurance.

For more info, visit: https://about.doctolib.com

HEALTHCARE NEWS

INDUSTRYNEWS FIND launches $7m support scheme for Covid testing in poorer countries

by Ash Jones

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eneva-based nonprofit FIND has unveiled a new $7 million (€6.31 billion) support package for poorer countries that could stand to increase their ease of access to Covid-19 testing kits.

The organisation is teaming up with ACON Biotech, Osang Healthcare, BioPerfectus and Premier Medical Corporation to manufacture as many as 60 million tests per year in low-tomiddle income nations.

If the project is successful, these nations could get the tests for anything from $1-2 per (€0.90-€1.81) test.

According to the World Bank, to classify as a “low-income” country, GDP per capita must be less than $1,026 (€926), meaning the average person earns less than this amount per year. To qualify as “middle income”, GDP per capita must be between $1,026 and $12,353 (€11,149).

As such, even the lower bracket could still be considered relatively expensive in lowerincome nations.

The response was set up due to reportedly overburdened healthcare services in many of these countries. Some have also had difficulty accessing vaccines due to perceived hoarding by developed nations, despite schemes designed to increase jab rollout in hard-hit areas such as Africa.

FIND also suggests greater decentralisation and community-based testing models, including in non-traditional settings, such as schools and workplaces, and at border crossings to allow for greater levels of testing and a current lack of affordable tests limiting self-testing.

“Self-testing can uniquely empower people to take control of their health, and has proved an important tool in the pandemic response in the Global North – but multiple barriers to access in LMICs means the Global South is being left behind yet again”, FIND’s CTO Marta Fernández Suárez said in a statement.

“The packages that these four companies are committing to are a major step towards making self-testing more accessible in LMICs, with volume commitments totalling at least 60 million tests per month and EXW pricing that is half that of current HIV self-tests”.

Of over 80 applicants to the programme, four main companies have been selected by a FIND panel all of which have COVID-19 self-tests in the final

stages of commercial development. More companies are expected to join the fold in the future.

The investment is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) by way of grants. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is currently drafting up guidance on Covid-19 self-testing and FIND will be supplying data to it to support the development of frameworks and future regulations.

“We are very honoured to cooperate with FIND to bridge the gap between the LMICs and HICs (high-income countries) in COVID19 self-testing”, said Jin Wei, the general manager of JPT’s R&D Centre.

“The [programme] means a lot to us and bolsters efforts in future R&D, manufacturing, quality control, sales & marketing of the COVID19 self-testing kits”.

FIND is set to supplement the grants given to it by offering technical support, and will conduct an independent evaluation of the performance and usability of the tests in the settings of intended use.

“Self-testing is an extremely important tool in long-term healthcare for all individuals, from all backgrounds, and we are extremely happy to help in bringing that vision to life”, Premier Medical Corp’s CEO Nilesh Mehta said in a statement.

Visit: www.finddx.org

EU calls on tech giants to help address healthcare talent crunch

by Steven Gislam

A

new EU-backed initiative has been launched in a bid to find new talent in the increasingly digitalised and data-driven healthcare, pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing sectors.

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology’s healthcare arm, EIT Health, is looking to partner with tech giants and industry players at the WorkInHealth Foundation, a Europe-wide initiative that aims to secure new talent and ready the healthcare sector for an ever-more connected future.

Covid-19 has greatly accelerated the transition towards the use of AI and jobs that are more data-driven and digitally-based. The WorkInHealth Foundation was launched to tackle concerns about a possible labour shortage in the sector over the next decade.

It is estimated that over 120,000 new jobs could be created over the next ten years, replacing half of all existing jobs in the medical manufacturing and pharmaceutical sectors

that are predicted to become automated in that same time frame.

Meanwhile, biomanufacturing companies are struggling to recruit bioprocess engineers, automation engineers, and manufacturing science and technology staff.

Despite the impending talent crunch, EIT Health says that only around one-third of companies in those sectors have begun efforts to reskill their workforce, with the average investment far lower than the likes of AT&T or Amazon, which spend as much as €27,000 per employee.

The WorkInHealth Foundation will launch an AI-powered platform that can match skilled talent with roles in the European healthcare sector and is looking to raise €2 million from tech companies and corporate sponsors. The money will be used to fund campaigns attracting new recruits as well as upskilling or reskilling the existing workforce as Europe shifts towards digitally-focused healthcare.

EIT Health says that it will seek sponsors from within its existing partner network, which

includes companies such as Atos and Sanofi, as well as corporate backers from outside, including some of the biggest names in tech like Apple, Amazon and Microsoft.

“If Europe is to maintain a vibrant and sustainable healthcare sector that can lead in innovation, we must rise to the challenge of recruiting and educating the best talent. It’s clear that there is an urgent need for the industry to attract and retain different forms of talent as well as accelerating, upskilling, and reskilling,” said Celine Carrera, Director of Education at EIT Health and chairperson of the WorkInHealth Foundation.

“It’s going to take a collective effort to develop flexible and exciting career paths and find the best talent to fill them, and we are proud to be pioneering a long-term collective solution that can strengthen our approach.”

Upskilling, especially in digital skills and R&D, has formed the core of many national and EUbacked post-Covid recovery plans.

Visit: https://eithealth.eu Industry Europe 51

THE GOLDEN ASSET Dundee Precious Metals is a Canada-based, international gold mining company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development, mining and processing of precious metals. Its flagship asset is Chelopech, a gold, copper and silver mine in Bulgaria

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METALS & MINING

T

he Chelopech underground gold-copper mine has a strong track record of delivering sound, consistent operational performance. Chelopech is a centre of excellence for innovation and the company continues to optimise performance through its focus on opportunities with the potential to enhance revenue and reduce costs.

The Chelopech mine is located in central-western Bulgaria, approximately 70 kilometres east of Sofia, the national capital, on the southern flank of the Balkan Ranges. The mining licence covers an area of 266 hectares, including the Chelopech mining operation itself and the surrounding area.

Dundee Precious Metals owns the land where the facilities are located and operates under a concession agreement that was

granted by the Bulgarian government in 1999 for a period of 30 years. Proven and probable mineral reserves at Chelopech are currently over 45 tonnes of gold and over 150,000 tonnes of copper, supporting an eight-year mine life.

High-quality, low-cost asset The mine began operations in 1954, then as part of several stateowned enterprises. Dundee Precious Metals (DPM) acquired the Chelopech mining operations in 2003 and since then has invested considerable amounts to transform it into a high-quality, optimised mine that generates strong operating results while meeting international standards for worker safety, environmental protection, and sustainable development.

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Today the Chelopech mine is an industry-leader in Bulgaria.

Chelopech has good infrastructure due to its proximity to major roads, power lines, communication facilities, water sources and the town of Pirdop. The principal rail and road links between Sofia and the country’s largest port Bourgas, located on the Black Sea, pass through the village of Chelopech.

The mine is recognised as a leader in digital innovation with 100% reliable wi-fi coverage at 600 metres below ground and real-time data transfer systems. The commissioning of the first deep learning autonomous drone in an underground environment in 2019 established the Chelopech mine as a technological leader in the global mining industry.

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Environmentally responsible operation The company has developed a comprehensive programme to ensure the protection of water, air, soil, biodiversity, and to reduce its use of energy.

Investment and improved management have resulted in large-scale innovations in production and significant benefits to the environment.

Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the use of renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency as well as effective management of mining waste are all important topics for the company. The process efficiencies and improved management systems introduced since 2004 have substantially reduced DPM’s environmental impact and its carbon footprint.

METALS & MINING

In 2004, the company embarked on a project to reclaim land affected by historical mining, to restore the land as far as possible to its original natural condition. Indigenous tree and shrub species have been planted, to reclaim the habitats of several animal species.

Since then, a total of 22.3 hectares of land has been reclaimed and more than 150,000 trees and shrubs have been planted.

Updated mineral reserve Over the last year, activities in the mine progressed as planned and in March 2022, Dundee Precious Metals announced a life of mine (LOM) extension to 2030 and an update to mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates of 10%.

The updated LOM plan reflects changes relative to the previous mine plan that include improved metallurgical recoveries, concentrate terms and a reduction in the cut-off value, which maximises net present value. Production increased by approximately 8 tonnes of gold and 21,300 tonnes of copper between 2022 and 2031, reflecting higher recoveries for gold and copper.

The updated mineral reserve estimate is in line with the Company’s previously issued 2021 guidance and three-year outlook for Chelopech, with the all-in sustaining cost per ounce of gold sold for

2023 and 2024 expected to trend toward the lower end of the range as increased volumes of Chelopech concentrate are processed by third-party smelters.

Improved potential A significant drilling programme is planned for 2022, including 44,000 metres of in-mine drilling and 50,000 metres of brownfield drilling to support a commercial discovery application.

“The optimised life of mine plan at Chelopech results in higher gold and copper production and allows us to extend the mine’s life to 2030,” said David Rae, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dundee Precious Metals.

“Our updated mineral reserve estimate is an indication of Chelopech’s consistent track record of replacing mineral reserves, and we believe there is strong potential to continue this trend going forward.”

He affirmed that DPM will continue to focus on extending Chelopech’s mine life through its successful in-mine exploration programme and a growing brownfield exploration programme, which for 2022 includes in-mine drilling for mineral resource development as well as brownfield exploration in other near-mine targets in the n mining concession area.

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NEWS

New developments in Metals & Mining

Controversial Swedish iron mine gets go-ahead after 9 years

by Steven Gislam

T

he Swedish government has given its approval to allow a UK company to dig a controversial iron mine in the country’s far north, sparking criticism from climate activists and the indigenous Sami people.

The remote site at Kallak, near the town Jokkmokk in Swedish Sápmi, better known as Lappland, contains the country’s largest reserves of untapped quartz-banded iron ore as well as rare earth minerals.

London-based Beowulf Mining has been pushing for approval for the mine - which has an estimated 389 million tonnes of iron mineralisation - for nine years but has faced heavy opposition from the indigenous Sami and environmentalists.

The Jokkmokk iron mine has become something of a symbol in Sweden for the tensions between business, government and the Sami, whose culture has a protected status.

Economics Minister Karl-Petter Thorwaldsson said it was a “historic decision”.

He pointed out that the government decision does not give Beowulf permission to begin operations immediately and that it contained “far-reaching and unique conditions”, but added: “I think there will be a pit here.”

Beowulf still has to receive approval from Sweden’s environmental court, a decision on which could still be years away.

While the company said the goal is to build the most sustainable mine possible, and that much of the estimated 389 million tonnes of iron will “contribute to decarbonisation efforts in steel”, the project has drawn the ire of climate activists, including Greta Thunberg, who denounced the decision in Stockholm as “racist”, “colonial” and “nature-hostile”.

The government said that the mine would create local employment and aid in regional development. Thorwaldsson added that the Sami concerns over the impact on reindeer herding - which requires vast amounts of land

- would be minimised thanks to conditions limiting initial construction to certain times of the year.

Some of the other “many and comprehensive” conditions include a requirement that the mine take up as little space as possible, compensation for affected reindeer herders, annual impact reviews and a commitment to restoring the area to allow for herding once the mine was depleted.

In a tweet, Beowulf CEO Kurt Budge said the concession was a “longawaited milestone” and that the company was looking to build “mutually respectful relations and productive partnerships with Jokkmokks Kommum, local entrepreneurs, landowners and reindeer herders.

“I believe there is space for us all to be part of Jokkmokk’s future, one that is sustainable, diversified and thriving,” he added.

Visit: https://beowulfmining.com

Northvolt to set up third gigafactory in Germany

by Romana Moares

S

wedish battery manufacturer Northvolt has announced its third gigafactory will be established in Germany’s clean energy valley, to start production in 2025.

Powered by the cleanest electricity grid in Germany, Northvolt Drei is positioned to produce

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the cleanest batteries in continental Europe.

Located in Heide, Schleswig-Holstein, in northern Germany, Northvolt Drei, with an annual potential production capacity of 60 GWh, will deliver a supply of sustainably produced lithiumion batteries to the European market, sufficient for some one million electric vehicles.

Northvolt Drei is expected to employ 3,000 persons and produce its first batteries in late 2025, increasing Northvolt’s pipeline of battery manufacturing capacity under development to over 170 GWh. ”We’re excited to announce Northvolt Drei – a project which fits well into a promising future cluster of clean technology ventures emerging in northern Germany and advances the wider European transition towards a sustainable society within which Germany plays a crucial

role,” said Peter Carlsson, Co-Founder and CEO of Northvolt, in a press release.

The selection of Heide, Schleswig-Holstein, is – according to Northvolt – key to the fulfilment of this objective. The region is said to host “the cleanest energy grid in Germany”, one which is characterised by a surplus of electricity generated by onshore and offshore wind power and reinforced by clean energy provided through grid interconnections to Denmark and Norway.

In addition to being centrally positioned in the emerging European battery supply chain connecting Scandinavia and continental Europe, the region also provides the space required to establish a battery plant of adequate size to leverage the economies of scale in production.

Alongside battery production, The company says that the new German Gigafactory will target an on-site battery recycling plant.

Visit: https://northvolt.com

METALS & MINING NEWS

INDUSTRYNEWS This robot could make sustainable seabed mining a reality

by Steven Gislam

I

mpossible Mining (IM), a California-based startup with the aim of being the world’s first sustainable mining company, has revealed a technology it says allows the responsible harvesting of battery metals on the seafloor.

The company says that it is “shaping a multitrillion dollar industry” with its robotic collection system which it claims can selectively pick up small, battery metal-rich nodules from the ocean floor without damaging the marine ecosystem.

After being sent to the bottom of the ocean, the robots activate machine vision cameras and robotic arms on its underside, which then harvest the metals. The vehicle then “hovers” above the seabed, which IM says avoids disturbing the sediment. The cameras “see” rocks that are home to animal life and leave them untouched. Once full, the robot then ascends to the ship above, unloads and is recharged to be sent back down again.

IM also announced that it will be looking at “integrating its robotics” on vessels run by Dutch offshore contractors Boskalis for “selective harvesting of nodules” in the Cook Islands in the South Pacific.

“We are showing the world that a nimble innovator like Impossible Mining can make big changes in the mining industry. By partnering with global leaders like Boskalis, we are paving the way to widespread uptake of our technology that will disrupt the mining industry on both land and underwater - making it more sustainable, more economic, and more secure,” said Oliver Gunasekara, CEO & CoFounder of Impossible Mining.

Metals such as manganese, copper, zinc, cobalt and nickel are vital for the manufacture of electric vehicle batteries, and companies and governments are racing to secure supplies of these valuable elements.

Supply chain disruptions in recent years - both pandemic and Ukraine-Russia related - have led to louder calls for more regional supply chains.

While all these metals are also mined on land, there have been reports of the use of child labour in the so-called “artisanal mines” of the mineral-rich Democratic Republic of Congo, a country holding over 70% of the world’s cobalt.

In 2020, five of the world’s largest tech companies including Google-parent Alphabet and Tesla were accused of complicity in the death of children in the DRC in a lawsuit filed in the US. Deepsea mining is seen by some as an effective way of obtaining these metals and other rare earth minerals while avoiding unstable supply chains and working in countries with poor human rights records, and the sector is growing rapidly.

According to figures published last year by London-based market research company Trends Market Research, the global deepsea mining market from mineral retrieval alone is projected to grow more than 37% - from $650 million (€590 million) in 2020 to $15.3 billion (€13.9 billion) - by the end of the decade.

A similar report also published last year by Dublin’s Research and Markets suggested the market for the technology and equipment necessary to make deepsea mining possible would fare even better, predicting a 61.4% increase from $811.9 million (€736.4 million) in 2020 to $728 billion (€660.3 billion) by 2030.

The subject of deepsea mining is a contentious one, and the practice can be devastating for marine ecosystems through dredging, emissions and noise pollution.

IM says that their tech avoids the destruction associated with traditional deepsea mining practices, and claims to have signed over $500 million (€453.5 million) in Letters of Intent with battery manufacturers.

“Demonstrating that our robotics manipulator can deliver the throughput required for economic production, while also preserving the seafloor ecosystem, answers the major question our competitors raise about the viability of selective harvesting,” said Renee Grogan, Chief Sustainability Officer and Co-Founder of Impossible Mining.

“We are well on the way to showing that no longer does mineral production have to come at the cost of sustainability.”

Visit: https://impossiblemining.com

German steel giant to end use of blast furnaces “by mid-2030s”

by Steven Gislam

G

erman steelmaker Salzgitter wants to end the use of blast furnaces and switch to low-emissions technologies by the middle of the next decade, the company’s CEO has said.

In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Gunnar Groebler said that doing so would mean a 95% reduction in CO2 emissions from steel production - equivalent to around 8 million tonnes per year.

He added that restructuring the group’s entire production method would require an investment of €3-4 billion and that he expected government support.

Salzgitter is Germany’s second-largest steel producer, accounting for 1% of the country’s total CO2 emissions.

Groebler said that he hopes the new coalition government in Berlin would support the transformation of the steel sector, which produces 6% of Germany’s emissions overall.

The global steel industry is one of the world’s largest emitters and is considered one of the harder-to-abate sectors. At present, steel production relies heavily on coking coal to smelt iron ore, making emissions unavoidable.

There are, however, a number of green steel producers emerging across the continent that use hydrogen in the smelting process including HYBRIT and H2 Green Steel in Sweden, and Primetal’s HYFOR project in Austria.

He also urged for a fast pace of change, and pointed to the bureaucratic hurdles and perceived lack of political will that has hampered the offshore wind sector in the North Sea. He pointed out that not a single wind turbine had been installed there in 2021.

“That’s not due to a lack of investors. It’s about an over-regulated auction system and a lack of permits, i.e. the political will. We can’t afford another year lost like that,” said Groebler.

The new German government headed by Olaf Scholz has made the decarbonisation of the country’s heavy industry a priority in its push for climate neutrality by 2045.

Plans include the use of carbon contracts for difference (CCfDs), a strategy against carbon leakage and the introduction of an EU-wide carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM).

Visit: www.salzgitter-ag.com Industry Europe 57

NEWS

New developments in Metals & Mining

Europe’s first major lithium project completes pilot

by Ash Jones

I

n its first major milestone since its acquisition, Zinnwald Lithium has completed a pilot test into the creation of lithium hydroxide for use in electric vehicle batteries at its site in Germany.

Zinnwald’s site, roughly 35 km outside of Dresden on the GermanCzech border, has been billed as the first major lithium project in Europe - receiving significant funding as electronics and automotive companies continue to be battered by the chip shortage.

Industry Europe first covered the Zinnwald project back in July 2021, when the site entered its feasibility stage, speaking with the company’s CEO Anton du Plessis about its plans and timeframe for work.

Du Plessis confirmed the company would be working on the production of lithium hydroxide for the time being in a bid to plug a market gap in Europe.

This pilot suggests scale-up and production of “economically significant” amounts of lithium is possible at the site and could play its role in ramping up

the production of electric vehicles in a world where Germany’s goals could be scuppered due to geopolitical events such as the Russia-Ukraine War. Zinnwald has suggested that it will be primarily focusing on lithium hydroxide due to it “better aligning” with European needs.

The test work was conducted in Germany and was verified by a thirdparty laboratory, which ran chemical and physical analyses.

It concluded the zinnwaldite concentrate produced was around 99.9% purity, and commercial analysis performed indicates that annual lithium hydroxide production above 10,000 tonnes could be viable from the core Zinnwald license.

The tests managed to convert several tonnes of zinnwaldite into roughly 50kg of lithium hydroxide and the company claims the impurities were similar or below similar battery-grade lithium products.

“I am delighted that we have completed the pilot-scale test work necessary to demonstrate that the Zinnwald Lithium Project is capable of economically producing meaningful quantities of lithium hydroxide”, du Plessis said in a statement.

“This is consistent with our strategy of pivoting the project to focus on the production of mainstream lithium products that is in increasingly high demand by the European EV and battery sectors.

“Notably, the ability of the Project to deliver domestic European supply of important co-products such as potassium sulphate further strengthens our investment case, while equally importantly, the test work indicates that the process does not generate environmentally harmful side products”, he added.

The results from the pilot will be applied to its basic engineering processes and utilised in an updated feasibility study on the site.

Zinnwald first acquired the site in 2020 for €8.8 million. A preliminary feasibility study into the production of lithium on the site was conducted by the project’s previous owners in 2019.

Visit: www.zinnwaldlithium.com

Bilfinger & Rock Tech Lithium partner on Europe’s first lithium refinery

by Steven Gislam

I

ndustrial services provider Bilfinger and cleantech company Rock Tech Lithium have teamed up in a bid to construct Europe’s first lithium hydroxide converter.

The plant will be built in Guben, Germany, and when completed will produce 24,000 metric tons of lithium hydroxide annually - enough for around 500,000 electric car batteries.

Currently, at the advanced planning stage, Bilfinger will provide engineering and procure-

58 Industry Europe

ment services as well as construction management for the Rock Tech project.

Lithium hydroxide is an essential ingredient of electric vehicle batteries and will be more and more necessary as the continent moves towards its net-zero by 2050 target.

Rock Tech first announced the project last October as part of its overarching goal to produce lithium hydroxide over the entire value chain in a way that it says will have the “lowest possible impact on the environment”.

The company said in a statement that this will be achieved through the zero-waste strategy that it developed alongside the German Lithium Institute ITEL, which relies heavily on the recycling of the byproducts created by the production of lithium hydroxide.

The goal is also to recycle the lithium itself at a later stage.

Christina Johansson, Interim CEO and CFO of Bilfinger, said: “The production of lithium hydroxide as a component of electric car batteries is essential for a climate-friendly mobility transition. The concept developed by Rock Tech Lithium for the construction of the lithium refining plant is innovative and technologically convincing. We look forward to helping shape the further steps towards the implementation of the project.”

Markus Brügmann, CEO of Rock Tech Lithium, said: “The cooperation is another significant milestone for Rock Tech Lithium on its way to becoming a leading clean-tech company supplying the automotive industry with high purity lithium hydroxide.

“Together with Bilfinger, we want to drive the battery era forward,” he added.

Visit: www.bilfinger.com

METALS & MINING NEWS

INDUSTRYNEWS Australian mining heritage reform may be just around the corner

E

ver since the Juukan Gorge crisis, the rights of the traditional owners of the land used in mining projects has become something of a heated topic, with many believing the aboriginal population of Australia should have more of a say in the mining that happens on their property.

A joint commission by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) and the First Nation Heritage Protection Alliance recently released a discussion paper looking at potential heritage reforms of the country’s mining sector.

The traditional owners - sometimes referred to as “first nation” individuals - have long been concerned about what they consider a lack of protection over their cultural heritage.

Obviously, since this discussion began, they have always advocated in favour of reforms, while also wanting a greater say in the operations of mining companies.

While this debate has been raging for decades, the events of May 2020, where a 40,000-yearold cave system was blasted, ensured the topic became lodged in the public’s consciousness.

Over the past 26 years, various reports have gone into detail about the feasibility of Commonwealth legislation protecting heritage reforms.

On 29 November 2021, Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley joined with aboriginal groups to sign the very first agreement with the First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance for reforms. This new white paper is a result of these talks.

It finally looked like the government would work with aboriginal groups to work towards protecting sacred sites and giving traditional owners more power over where miners can and cannot set up new projects.

Technically, the government has been able to intervene should a specific project infringe on a place sacred to the aboriginals under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984, although the service must be specifically requested by a person involved with the specific group.

Since the crisis, several reports on the subject of first nation cultural heritage have been released, and while this has seen investigations on a federal level, state and territory governments are soon set to undertake their own reviews and implement their own legislation.

Many individuals or organisations associated with the traditional owners have already presented their views and submissions to the

topic at hand which could guide future legislation or standards.

However, the joint committee has pledged to actively tackle the threat of future events from happening again.

“It should be made clear that this process is not about just identifying problems, which to a large extent have already been examined, but is about finding real and tangible solutions”, the report claims.

Similarly, the traditional owners have highlighted the ineffectiveness of territory and state, as well as Commonwealth protections of cultural heritage sites.

The Australian government has also suggested reform may be necessary in order to protect the land and ensure future catastrophes do not occur in the future.

Various stakeholders have also expressed the importance of working together with first nations people and continuing dialogue, particularly during the scoping and design of new projects.

Perhaps the most immediate effect of the Juukan Gorge crisis was on Rio Tinto itself. The crisis sparked public outrage and the mining giant has continued to be embroiled in controversies involving traditional owners, and further controversies and past infractions continue cropping up.

The crisis saw a complete shakeup of its corporate structure, its CEO and two other executives were dismissed. A parliamentary inquiry was conducted into the events at Juukan Gorge and many major human rights legal firms threatened class-action lawsuits.

Naturally, the miner has come out in favour of heritage reforms. Since the crisis, it has publicly supported working with aboriginal groups to prevent similar crises.

However, aboriginal group reactions to this have been more mixed.

“We have heard the call for Rio Tinto to play a greater role in the strengthening of state and

Commonwealth cultural heritage protection laws”, Rio Tinto chief executive Kellie Parker said in a statement following the reveal of the white paper.

“This call has been made by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Committee that inquired into the destruction of the Juukan Gorge rock shelters, Traditional Owners, the National Native Title Council, the First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance, and our investors. The call is reinforced in the Dhawura Ngilan Vision Statement.

“We firmly believe a co-design process with Traditional Owners will strengthen cultural heritage management and protection to ensure it is valued and celebrated for its intrinsic worth.

“There are and will be differences in views on how this will be best achieved but we will continue to work in close consultation with Traditional Owners and their representative organisations to better understand and protect their cultural heritage and ensure mining is done in the right way.”

While overall action towards working with aboriginal groups has seen mixed results, some positives have come out of the crisis, in a way.

Australian iron ore group Fortescue partnered with the Wintawari Guruma Aboriginal Corporation (WGAC) in a contract that should give the traditional owners more of a say in the company’s mining operations in Western Australia.

At the least, it could help the miner avoid potential cultural heritage zones during operations.

Rio Tinto itself also claims to have reached an agreement with the Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation, which claims to “ensure the protection of significant social and cultural heritage values”, and prevent another Juukan Gorge.

The discussion paper is currently only at its first major stage. It is likely more reports will be released as discussions with traditional owners deepen.

Industry Europe 59

NEWS

New developments in Politics & Economics

EU accused of putting profit before people in Covid vaccine row

by Steven Gislam

T

he sixth European Union-African Union Summit in Brussels came to a close last week with promises of a “renewed partnership” and pledges of major investments, but the event was marred by major disagreements over Europe’s refusal to waive the patents on Covid vaccines.

During the summit - the first since 2017 - Brussels pledged €150 billion in public and private investments in Africa over the next seven years as it seeks to challenge encroaching Chinese and Russian influence across the continent.

In her closing speech, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the investment would be focused on key infrastructures such as green hydrogen, connectivity, transportation, healthcare and education, though she did not go into further detail.

The EU also repeated its promise to donate 450 million Covid vaccines to Africa by the middle of the year, as well as €425 million to aid health services in the delivery of the jabs.

However, the summit was overshadowed by the ongoing dispute - headed

by South Africa - about a temporary waiver of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), which would allow for the manufacture of generic vaccines and treatments at a fraction of the cost.

In October 2020, South Africa and India co-authored a proposal at the World Trade Organization (WTO) calling for a temporary waiver of intellectual property rights on “diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines for Covid-19”.

A revised proposal was later submitted by the two countries in May 2021, with a large number of WTO member countries supporting a TRIPS waiver.

At the time, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said that vaccination against the virus should be “a global public good”.

“A situation in which the populations of advanced, rich countries are safely inoculated while millions in poorer countries die in the queue would be tantamount to vaccine apartheid,” he wrote in his weekly newsletter.

The proposal also received support from the United States, with the country’s Trade Representative Katherine Tai announcing Washington’s support for the idea.

There is a precedent for waiving patents on vital medications - also involving South Africa. In 1997, Pretoria passed legislation that would enable the country to import cheap generic versions of HIV/AIDS medication without obtaining permission from the pharmaceutical companies that held the patents.

60 Industry Europe

South Africa was one of the hardest-hit countries during the height of the AIDS crisis in the 1990s, and today the nation still has one of the highest rates of HIV in the world with 17% of the population aged between 15 and 49 being HIV+.

In 1998, the South African government was sued by 39 pharmaceutical companies with the backing of the then Clinton administration in Washington. The companies claimed the new law was a violation of the South African constitution and that patents were necessary to generate the money needed for research.

By the time the case reach the court in 2001, the negative publicity had reached an unprecedented scale with thousands of demonstrators outside the courts and the US Embassy. Six weeks later, following negotiations with the government, the lawsuit was dropped.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), only 11% of the African population had received both jabs at the start of February 2022.

This means that if it were to meet the target of 70% by the middle of the year, the vaccination rate would need to increase sixfold.

The EU, which is home to several of the major vaccine-producing companies, opposes the idea, arguing that the build-up of production capacity in poorer nations should be a higher priority.

In a statement, the EU said the transfer will be “delivered through a centre of excellence and training – ‘the mRNA-vaccine technology hub’ in Afrigen, Cape Town”, and that it “will share techniques with local producers and the WHO”.

The mRNA technology transfer hub will also “provide training and financial support to build the necessary human capital for production know-how, quality control and product regulation, and will assist, where needed, with the necessary licences”.

President von der Leyen said that future talks would be held in Brussels between EU and AU officials to find a solution to the TRIPS waiver dispute.

Brussels’ stance on the waiver has been echoed by the UK - home of AstraZeneca. In December 2021, the UK Mission to the WTO issued a statement saying that the abundance of vaccines in development was evidence that the current Intellectual Property framework supported innovation.

It also said that a TRIPS waiver “would not increase the number of vaccines reaching people’s arms”.

The EU’s refusal to waive TRIPS has been criticised by several African leaders and NGOs. President Ramaphosa told journalists that without the waiver, Africa would be getting “crumbs from the table” from the West, adding that it meant the two sides “were not able to find each other on a matter of life and death”.

He went on to say that the EU had caved in to pressure from pharmaceutical companies and as a result, European leaders were prioritising profit over lives and that without a solution “some of us would walk away from here feeling that this summit has failed”.

Peter Kamalingin, Oxfam Pan Africa Programme Director, also condemned the refusal to waive, accusing the EU of “siding with Big Pharma” and describing the decision as “shameful” and “an insult”.

“EU leaders continue to make a song and dance about the importance of their relationship with the African continent. Yet they once again put the interests of their profit-hungry pharmaceutical corporations first,” said Kamalingin in a press release.

POLITICS & ECONOMICS NEWS

INDUSTRYNEWS Developed nations must end oil & gas production by 2034

by Ash Jones

T

he 1.5°C goals laid out by the Paris Climate Agreement may not be possible unless developed nations end new oil and gas production by 2034, according to a top climate scientist from the University of Manchester.

Professor Kevin Anderson from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research warns that there is no room for nations to increase production of new fossil fuel projects in the coming decade, but poorer countries may be given until 2050 to phase out fossil fuels entirely, depending on wealth, development and economic reliance on oil and gas.

His report proposes different phase-out dates for oil and gas projects in line with the Agreement’s goals and commitment to a “fair” transition.

However, the world’s richest countries should seek to end new oil and gas projects immediately.

Developed nations currently produce around one-third of the world’s oil and gas and should cut output by 74% by 2030, the report claims. The poorest, which only account for around one-ninth of the global supply, must try to cut back by 14%.

“Responding to the ongoing climate emergency requires a rapid shift away from a fossil fuel economy, but this must be done fairly”, Professor Anderson, who also lectures at Manchester, said.

“There are huge differences in the ability of countries to end oil and gas production while maintaining vibrant economies and delivering a just transition for their citizens.

“We have developed a schedule for phasing out oil and gas production that – with sufficient support for developing countries – meets our very challenging climate commitments and does so in a fair way”.

This call to end new fossil fuel projects echoes a similar report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) back in May 2021, which suggested “radical change” was needed en route to net-zero.

The report was conducted before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has already begun negatively affecting energy markets and could “turbocharge” the European green hydrogen sector as the bloc looks to wean itself off Russian gas, which accounts for 40% of all the gas imported to the continent.

Anderson warns the war could cause further market turmoil and only exacerbate the energy crisis that has seen prices skyrocket since the winter.

“Had we spent the last twenty years establishing an efficient and sensible use of energy alongside a massive roll-out of renewables, we would not now be scrabbling around for alternative oil and gas supplies and facing the impacts of volatile prices. Now is exactly the time we should be planning for a renewable twentyfirst century rather than reliving the oil-based twentieth,” he added.

The report was commissioned by Canadian think tank, the International Institute for Sustainable Development. It found some poorer nations are so reliant on fossil fuel revenue that instantly phasing them out could threaten their economic and political stability.

Countries like Brazil, South Sudan, CongoBrazzaville and Gabon have little revenue outside of fossil fuel streams.

The “highest capacity” nations - effectively the richest - include Ireland, Denmark, the UK, the US, Japan and New Zealand and should stick to the 2034 goal.

The second bracket, the “high capacity” countries, which includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Kazakhstan, should aim to phase out oil and gas by 2039 at the latest. Medium (China, Brazil, Mexico etc) and low capacity (Indonesia, Iran, Egypt etc) should aim for 2043 and 2045, respectively.

The “lowest capacity” countries, which includes all the developed nations reliant on fossil fuels for economic independence should gradually phase out use over the next decade before kicking it into overdrive in the 2040s, with the ultimate goal of being fully green by 2050.

Failing to adjust economies to meet the PCA’s goals may have catastrophic climate effects.

Extreme weather, from flooding to drought, could displace hundreds of millions of people.

Current estimates suggest global temperatures could surpass this threshold by 2035, with others warning that even the 2°C target will not be feasible under current conditions.

When the PCA was signed, it was generally accepted that wealthier nations should attempt to phase out high-emission energy as quickly as possible, although many of these countries pointed the finger squarely at coal.

As of writing, four EU nations have quit coal, with the Czech Republic having set a deadline of 2033 to remove it from its energy mix, and Germany bringing forward the date from 2038 to 2030.

“There is very little room for manoeuvre if we want to limit warming to 1.5°C,” said Dan Calvery, who co-authored the study. “Although this schedule gives poorer countries longer to phase out oil and gas production, they will be hit hard by the loss of income.

“An equitable transition will require substantial levels of financial assistance for poorer producers, so they can meet their development needs while they switch to low-carbon economies and deal with growing climate impacts,” he added.

The report also offers two more scenarios of reaching the PCA’s goals. The first, which is more “ambitious” and offers a “67% chance of meeting 1.5°C” required the richest countries to phase out fossil fuels by 2031 and the poorest by 2042.

The second, which has a projected 50% chance of limiting temperatures to around 1.7°C - still below the PCA’s less ambitious 2°C goal, would still mandate an end to oil and gas projects by 2045 in the richest nations.

This target is generally accepted to be the breaking point, when the effects of climate change may begin to spiral out of control.

It may still be up in the air as to whether the world’s richest nations can band together to phase out oil and gas projects to keep even the 2°C alive, let alone its more ambitious 1.5°C counterpart.

The proposed schedules for winding down oil and gas production depend on a rapid global phase-out of coal. Many of the world’s poorest nations rely on coal for energy needs, with nearly three-quarters of the world’s coal being produced and consumed in developing countries, the report suggests.

2022 must be the peak of coal production in the poorest countries, the report concludes, with it being gone from the global energy mix by 2040 in order to meet the PCA’s targets.

Industry Europe 61

NEWS

New developments in Politics & Economics

What the EU’s Digital Markets Act means for tech giants

by Ash Jones

T

ech giants such as Meta, Google and Amazon are now privy to new regulations, as the EU enshrines rules to curb anti-competitive practices by the world’s largest tech companies nearly one year after they were announced.

The Digital Markets Act (DMA) will primarily look to tackle growing monopolies, partially to allow for EU companies to compete in a market dominated by US-based firms.

These tech giants will be subject to regulations, obligations and prohibitions not present for smaller companies, while also offering a way for EU officials to enforce these rulings. The current threshold for these regulations is for companies with a market value of over €75 billion.

This, alongside the Digital Services Act, has reportedly been created to increase transparency in the tech sector and make online markets fairer.

The European Commission has been looking to clamp down on so-called “big tech” companies for a few years, focusing on their ability to corner markets and buy out or flush out competition.

Internally, these companies are known as “gatekeepers” and are the main focus of the bill.

The EU has also looked to stem the spread of “fake news”, particularly regarding misinformation about the Covid-19 pandemic that easily spreads through social media.

In recent years, the Commission has been embroiled in several antitrust lawsuits against

companies such as Google and Amazon over unfair business practices.

“What we want is simple: Fair markets also in digital. We are now taking a huge step forward to get there - that markets are fair, open and contestable,” EC Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager said regarding the ruling.

In a speech to the European Parliament following the ruling, Vestager talked about the road the Commission has been on in securing the Digital Markets Act. “The thing is that what we have learnt over these years is that we can correct in specific cases, we can punish illegal behaviour, but when things become systematic, then we need regulation as well,” she revealed “For companies that play a role as gatekeepers, now the Digital Markets Act will set the rules of the game. This is similar to what has been done a long time ago in sectors such as banking, telecoms,

energy, transport where regulation and competition rules work hand in hand.

“I am pleased to be here with co-legislators and satisfied that they’ve kept the main architecture of our proposal – the centralised enforcement at EU level, a designation process to identify “gatekeepers” that are in scope and a series of do’s and don’ts imposed on them,” she added.

The DMA is set to be enforced both at national and EU levels. This means any breaches within one member state can be tackled by the government of that state and brought to the EU. New interoperability requirements have also been added to the Act for messaging services such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. The term ‘interoperability’ pertains to the ease with which a system can exchange information and data with other systems and external hardware.

In this case, it is likely that these messaging services will be required to share some information.

The DMA also mandates bans on the gathering of private data for targeted advertisements, an allegation that has long been associated with social media platforms such as Facebook.

In addition, the scope of sanctions available to companies that do not comply with EU rules has been widened. Previously, the worst punishments dished out to tech giants were hefty fines, although Vestager did not elaborate on how they had been extended.

EU takes UK to WTO over “discriminatory” green energy practices

by Steven Gislam

I

n a statement released on Monday, the EU challenged the UK over what it called “discriminatory practices” as part of Britain’s green energy subsidy scheme.

According to the EU, the criteria the UK uses to hand out subsidies for offshore wind energy projects has been favouring the UK over other competing import companies. The EU has argued this goes against World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations.

In the statement the bloc said it had tried to raise this issue with the UK several times “to no avail”. As a result, it has filed for initial formal consultations with both the UK and the WTO. The UK has 60 days to settle the dispute before the issue is escalated.

Depending on Britain’s response, the EU challenge may become its first WTO dispute case since Brexit.

The Contracts for Difference scheme is the UK’s main way of supporting the growth of its low-carbon energy sector. The idea of the scheme is

62 Industry Europe

to financially support developers who face heavy upfront costs and long periods of time before they see returns on investments.

In the Contracts for Difference scheme, renewable companies apply for funding in a ‘sealed bid’ process, and so far there have been three rounds of this bidding.

The EU’s criticism falls on the way the UK has been appraising these financial bids declaring that the UK, “applies a local content criterion to determine the eligibility of operators” which “ incentivises operators to favour UK content in their applications, to the detriment of imported inputs”.

The EU then said this alleged preferential treatment also slows down the rollout and expansion of green energy.

The UK is not a part of the WTO’s Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA) - a system for settling WTO disputes which has been active since March 2020.

POLITICS & ECONOMICS NEWS

INDUSTRYNEWS “Made in Europe”: EC President focuses on industry’s role in twin transitions

by Ash Jones

O

pening the third day of EU Industry Days 2022, EC President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the importance of the relationship between industry and legislature and urged for cooperation to deliver the European Green Deal and make the bloc stronger through innovation.

The focal point of the speech was a call for pride in the “Made in Europe” brand, as a symbol for products that are better for the environment and workers being paid a decent wage - a push for a “continent that has modernised its economy towards sustainability”.

She reiterated her belief that industry will be an “indispensable ally” in the road to net-zero and in creating a better future for all.

The first item on the agenda was the EU Chips Act. We recently did a rundown of the Act, but von der Leyen presented fresh information about the primary goals and ambitions and the levels of investment required to, in her words, “make Europe a global leader” in semiconductor R&D. She estimates that roughly €30 billion has already been invested into chip production in the EU, and the new wave of funding laid out under the act will be backed by Next Generation EU, the EU’s recovery programme, Horizon Europe and national budgets.

She also stated that European companies in the semiconductor sphere are investing roughly €6 billion per year on average.

Von der Leyen laid out five main focal points for the Chips Act. “We will invest in a field where we are already punching above our weight, such as focusing on transistors below 3 nanometres and in disruptive technologies for artificial intelligence”, she revealed, talking about a big push into research and development for chips, which the Commission hopes Europe can become a global leader in.

“Thus, with research, Europe can go from strength to strength”, she added.

The Commission believes that cutting-edge research must translate into industrial innovation under a scheme colloquially referred to as “from the lab to the fab” - the second main point. The third point stressed that production capacity must be scaled up significantly, which will require huge upfront costs, she warned.

These costs will require public support for private investment, and so the EU will be updat-

ing state-aid rules under strict conditions for the first time ever to spur private investment into infrastructure that could benefit “all of Europe”.

However, not just chip giants will be targeted, the EU will also support smaller, innovative companies in accessing advanced skills and technology, cement partnerships and receive the necessary funding.

Lastly, the primary focus of the EU Chips Act is to make supply chains more resilient and create inter-dependencies and cooperation between trading partners.

The Commission President then shifted her focus to the green transition.

“Europe is the most ambitious continent when it comes to climate goals”, von der Leyen said.

“We are looking to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, and for that, we need to reduce CO2 emissions by 55% by 2030, and industry will be a closer partner in this transition”.

She pointed out that EU-based entrepreneurs seized the opportunities to become more environmentally friendly before anyone else, and pointed to platforms such as the EU Industry Days event as ways to “continue the debate” and share ideas about how the goals of the European Green Deal can be met.

She also claims the EU supports the transition with “never-before-seen” levels of investment, backed by the €800 billion Next Generation EU programme that will aid in delivering a sustainable and digital future.

The scheme will also look to tackle structural challenges of the EU’s economy, be it through electric vehicles, green hydrogen or a wave of renovation that will make homes and offices more climate-friendly and heating cheaper.

“450 million Europeans are demanding these changes, and it presents a golden opportunity for industry to profit”, Von der Leyen said.

Von der Leyen’s final point targeted the topic of strategic dependencies, which have become a heated topic at this year’s event, by focusing on the surging energy prices across the continent since Autumn.

Europe current imports around 90% of its natural gas, and von der Leyen fired some shots at Russia, which accounts for 41% of all imported gas.

She pointed the finger at Gazprom, claiming its storage in Europe is nowhere near the level it

should be and accused them of intentionally not increasing supply despite rising demand.

“Current geopolitical tensions come at a price... corporate interests and politics seem to be closely intertwined”, she said.

Europe has “done its homework” since the Russian annexation of Crimea, she said. Europe has more than 20 large liquefied natural gas facilities at EU ports and gas infrastructures are deeply interconnected.

It appears the goal is to reduce overall dependence on Russian gas and engage with other partners such as the US, Norway, Azerbaijan and Qatar to diversify supply, which can shield against future crises.

The Commission has goals of becoming a major player on international gas markers and hopes to build up gas reserves, such as those seen with oil.

These along with other measures will be shared and proposed to the Member States.

However, Von der Leyen suggests that implementing the European Green Deal remains the only real way to shield against future energy shocks as it is only the CO2heavy energy sources - oil, gas, and coal - that are seeing price increases, while renewable prices continue to drop.

“Every kilowatt-hour that Europe generates from solar, wind, hydropower and biomass makes us more independent from Russian gas and other energy imports. This is why we have to accelerate the development and deployment of renewable everywhere in Europe”, she revealed.

Recommendations on how to speed up the approval process for new projects will soon be passed to the Member States.

“I know I can count on industry in this transition – on your innovative spirit. On your support for our European project and proven dedication to strengthening European players as some of the world’s most innovative companies”, she concluded.

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ELECTRIC PERFORMANCE Italian company Amisco, a specialist in the design, development and production of encapsulated electric coils and solenoids for many applications, has secured its global footprint. The company now runs five subsidiaries on four continents to better serve its customers around the world.

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TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

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or more than 50 years Amisco has been designing and manufacturing customised coils for several different applications such as industrial pneumatics and hydraulics, truck pneumatics, mobile hydraulics, fluid controls, automotive, heating and refrigeration.

The company also designs and manufactures complete solenoids for solenoid-operated valves, and pneumatic pilot valves for industrial pneumatics.

Amisco’s roots go back to the 1930s, when Italian engineer Alessandro Novellone founded Novaradio, a company specialising in the production of transceivers. In the 1950s, part of the business was divested and entered the market under the name of Amisco.

In 1992, Amisco became one of the first Italian companies to receive ISO:9001 certification. Given the top quality of its products, the company continued to grow both organically and by means of acquisitions.

In 1998, Amisco acquired a new, large factory in Paderno Dugnano, where it established its headquarters, and three years later added two new production units to the existing factory. Paderno has remained company’s main location until the present day.

The new millennium brought a period of further expansion. In 2002, Amisco acquired Italian manufacturer Sali Abele in northern Italy, dedicated to low-volume products.

In 2006 the company opened a new Chinese plant in Shenzhen to best tailor its coils to the local market and the Far East. And to better serve the markets of eastern Europe, in 2015 a subsidiary in Brno, in the Czech Republic, was established.

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Solid track record Amisco offers a standardised product range for hydraulic and pneumatic applications, and offers the design, development, and production of customised products, made with purpose-built tooling and equipment.

The standardised product range consists of standard pneumatics (coils, solenoids, and pilots) and standard hydraulics (coils), while the customised products include coils, solenoids, and valves.

Competence in the design and development of customised products sets Amisco apart as a world-wide partner for companies

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who needs development of special products to meet their specific requirements across a variety of sectors and countries.

About 40% of the company’s products are applied in pneumatics – both standard solenoid operations and pilot valves as well as OEM-designed products – and the rest are supplied to the automotive, fluid control and hydraulics sectors.

Amisco’s pneumatic valves are installed in trucks and commercial vehicles; its coils, solenoids and magnets are used in several applications, such as industrial automation, processing, refrigeration, medical and many others.

TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

The company’s customer base is impressive and includes renowned names such as Bosch Rexroth, Parker, Festo, Metalwork, Airtec, Airtac, Mindman, Knorr Bremse, Danfoss and many more.

Lean and green The company employs the principles of lean manufacturing at its facilities. Final quality as well as product reliability over time are critical factors, and Amisco performs tests on 100% of its products.

In addition to the ISO 9001 certification, the company has obtained ISO-TS 16949 certification, and complies with the globally recognised quality management standard for the automotive industry, bringing together standards from across Europe and the US, that provides a framework for achieving best practice in respect of the design and manufacture of products for the automotive supply chain.

Safety at work is another critical aspect for Amisco, and its facilities are run under strict protocols to ensure a safe work environment for all staff. With the same dedication, the company promotes sustainability and the protection of natural resources – fundamental parts of Amisco’s operations that are managed under the ISO 14000 standard.

Amisco has recently invested heavily in the Americas (US and Brazil) and the Far East (India, Taiwan, China). This expansion has been implemented both by localising production and by creating a global network of sales and distribution agents.

In the wake of the global pandemic that has brought about unprecedented market changes, Amisco remains robust, ready to serve its customers, offering the same quality and reliability as before.

To sustain continuous improvement, the company has reinforced its focus on comprehensive training, which involves all personnel at every level, from management to the latest recruit.

The aim is to empower employees to grow and adapt seamlessly in a rapidly changing business climate, increase productivity, and enable knowledge-sharing across different communities.

With a strong, dedicated and committed workforce, Amisco is set n to face the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Continuous improvement Today, Amisco’s products are sold in more than 30 countries on all continents and while Italy remains an important market, some 90% of Amisco’s turnover is generated in export markets. European markets currently account for 46% of the company’s output, followed by Asia (25%) and the Americas (20%).

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NEWS

New developments in Technology & Innovation

Meet the robot barista that could be coming to a café near you

by Ash Jones

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novel concept, a robot barista found at the Rozum Café in Minsk, has become the basis for a fully-fledged franchise thanks to Rozum Robotics extending its reach into the Middle East and beyond.

The Cubo Coffee House chain is set up at five locations across Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with an additional one in Dubai for a total of nine units. The hubs will be set up by local engineering firm EMC with the parts needed to be supplied by Rozum.

The new locations will build upon the successes found at the Rozum Café, an autonomous coffee room where a robotic barista being is in charge of making the world’s favourite hot drink 24/7, which was set up back in 2018.

However, the onset of the pandemic highlighted the importance of autonomy in a world of social distancing and hygiene.

“We love coffee - we are coffee addicts, and this project is our way of reinventing the wheel, so to speak,” Rozum Robotics CCO Eugene Kovalenko told Industry Europe.

“This is our way of providing high-quality coffee to fellow coffee lovers across the world without any dependency on errors, recipes violates, fatigue and so on.”

The robot uses a Rozum Pulse arm, which was designed to fulfil a number of tasks from educational to industrial, to perform much of the handiwork.

The robotic arm can reportedly whip up six classic hot beverages as well as three iced coffee drinks without the need for human assistance.

The Belorussian developer claims the robot can serve up to 400 drinks per shift, can serve one drink per minute, with the automation ensuring “consistent” flavour and quality.

Rozum claims the arm has “six degrees” of motion freedom, similar to those found in a human arm, potentially being able to able up to 95% of any task a human could perform.

Eventually, it hopes the tech could be rolled out internationally to aid in places such as hospitals where people may be at risk of infection or contagion while offering a safer experience for all involved. Due to it not needing water or sewage links, it is also perfect for busy locations such as airports and shopping centres.

The company also claims it could help plug a skill and labour shortage found generally in the food and beverage or hospitality sectors, with companies constantly struggling to maintain adequate worker numbers - which can lead to staff being underpaid and overworked.

“We hope the robot will be able to fill certain niches - we’re definitely not interested in replacing current baristas and the conventional coffee shops, but this is a specialised alternative to the types of coffee you may get from something like a vending machine”, Kovalenko added.

Outside of the Middle East, the company is also looking at opening more hubs across Europe and internationally over the coming months.

Kovalenko concluded: “We are currently in the process of setting up a robot in Ukraine, and we have just shipped a robot off to Cyprus and are in talks to set up hubs in Poland and Germany.

“In the late Spring or early summer, we are also planning on launching a barista in the US, either in Miami or Los Angeles. The patent has been sorted, but its location has yet to be finalised”.

Visit: https://cafe.rozum.com

EU launches plans for satellite-based high-speed internet

by Steven Gislam

T

he EU has set out a €6 billion plan to provide high-speed internet access via a space-based secure satellite system which it says will “safeguard the efficiency and security of EU assets and develop European cutting-edge space technology”.

The bloc’s space programme is already an important source of data used in applications ranging from transport to agriculture as well as crisis response and climate change.

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“Our new connectivity infrastructure will deliver high-speed internet access, serve as a back-up to our current internet infrastructure, increase our resilience and cyber security, and provide connectivity to the whole of Europe and Africa,” said Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton.

“It will be a truly pan-European project allowing our many start-ups and Europe as a whole to be at the forefront of technological innovation.”

Brussels is viewing so-called “space-based connectivity” as an important strategic asset for digitalisation. The Commission has said that the planned communication system has two main purposes.

Firstly, it says the system will ensure long-term worldwide access to satellite communication services and offer support to critical infrastructure.

It also says the system will allow the private sector to offer a range of new commercial ser-

vices such as internet access in remote areas and former “communication dead zones”.

The system will also be used to connect regions that are of strategic interest to the bloc, such as Africa and the Arctic.

Of the €6 billion total cost, Brussels says the EU’s contribution will be €2.4 billion between 2022 and 2027, and that the funding will come from different sources of the public sector including the EU budget, Member States, the European Space Agency and private sector investments.

In a statement, the EU said that the initiative will “boost the competitiveness of the space ecosystem” as well as bring in a gross value added €17-24 billion and new jobs in its space industry.

It added that the project will also be of benefit to EU citizens, due to provisions of more reliable high-speed internet connections.

TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION NEWS

INDUSTRYNEWS 1/5 manufacturing staff involved in cyber breaches

by Ash Jones

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anufacturing is at high risk from cybercrime and a new report from Impero Software suggests one-in-five manufacturing staff have been involved in a breach while at work.

The report found that more than a quarter of respondents lack the confidence to recognise and report cybersecurity threats, yet more than half use their personal devices to access company systems or sensitive work-related information.

Breaches can range from relatively minor, where data is stolen, to major events which can result in processes and supply chains being ground to a halt.

Cyberattacks are often done purely for monetary gain, as a 2020 Verizon report indicates.

In all, 400 manufacturing employees were quizzed about cybersecurity as part of Impero’s research, which found that 24% of the companies that respondents were part of did not have a strict security policy for the use of personal devices at work.

On average, an employee may access company data on a personal device four times a week,

employee data three times a week and customer data twice a week. Without a solid security detail or plan in place, each access leaves them open to a cyberattack, which could lead to data being stolen.

A loss of customer data could shake trust in a firm, and a loss of company data could cause severe damage to operations.

In general, the availability of cybersecurity infrastructure shows significant room for improvement, the report states.

Only around half of respondents reported having access to critical security tools such as secure remote access, virtual private networks (VPNs) or authentication processes with multiple stages.

“Although many think of manufacturing as more analogue-driven, this is simply not the case anymore. The modern manufacturing environment is underpinned by a complex and often diverse network of connected devices, from cloud-based data storage systems to automated assembly solutions and, increasingly, AI and robotics,” Impero CEO Justin Reilly said.

Here’s why Japan is now the world’s biggest robot maker

by Ash Jones

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he robotics sector has seen veritable growth in the past two years despite a number of key challenges facing all suppliers, but one country stands tall above the rest in the field of industrial robotics - robots used in the manufacturing sector.

Japan has become the world’s number one producer of industrial robots in recent years, being responsible for 45% of the global supply and coming well ahead of its nearest competitor, according to a report from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

The exports of robotics used in manufacturing shot up 78% in 2020 alone to 138,069 units, 36% of which were destined for China. The parts are both shipped directly from Japan or manufactured at plants in China and taken directly to buyers.

“Exports of Japanese industrial robots on average had a compound annual growth rate of 6% in the last five years”, said Milton Guerry, President of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

“At the same time, imports of robots have always been extremely low.

In 2020, only 2% of Japanese installations were imported. The domestic Japanese robot market is the second-largest in the world after China”.

The report dropped on March 10 as the International Robot Exhibition (iREX) in Tokyo was well underway. The event has been held every two years since 1974 and present exhibitions from robot makers from around the globe.

Japanese developers were able to benefit greatly from a post-pandemic boom China went through in the second half of 2020.

“While important for the sector’s evolution, this proliferation of devices has made it especially vulnerable to malicious attacks. Without adequate training to help staff spot and react to cyber threats, or clear device security policies and tools in place, many manufacturers will be left exposed to significant risk,” he added.

Cybersecurity threats continue to evolve and become more dangerous with each passing day.

To deal with this, companies must keep their systems up-to-date.

Back in May 2021, Industry Europe spoke with Ian Bramson from ABS Consulting about this very topic and how best to protect operational technology in the evolving tech landscape.

Many of the parts that make industry run are all interconnected which means that one breach can potentially place an entire company at risk.

With the advent of concepts such as Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things, as data and businesses become more interconnected, the potential threat only rises.

Visit: www.imperosoftware.com

Robotics is a highly-skilled and interdisciplinary field that offers a wide range of uses, from healthcare to personal use, but by far their most used application is in manufacturing.

With the rise of social distancing due to the pandemic, many companies opted for spatial automation to keep production levels normal while workers took shifts to contain to spread of the disease.

The US market share in Japanese exports came to around 22% in 2022, the IFR claims. However, the report predicts the US and China - which both represent massive markets - are set to further bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic and present major export opportunities for Japan.

“Japan is a highly robotised country and a global frontrunner in the use of robots for everyday life”, said Dr Susanne Bieller, General Secretary of the International Federation of Robotics.

“This year´s iREX exhibition in Tokyo will focus on ways towards a friendlier society, bridged by robots. iREX will display how robots are increasingly shaping our daily lives, e.g. by improving the quality and availability of the products we receive, the reduction of carbon emissions, health outcomes or care for elderly people.”

China’s latest five-year plan will also attempt to see it become a “global leader” in robotics and its position as the largest market in the world gives it a strong basis from domestic companies.

Foreign robotics manufacturers currently make up 73% of the Chinese automation market. In 2020 alone, imports from Japan, Korea and Europe increased by 24%, according to another IFR report.

Domestic Chinese robot manufacturers primarily cater to their own market, where they held a 27% share for 2020.

China’s domestic market supply is expected to continue to climb going forward.

Visit: https://ifr.org Industry Europe 69

ON THE RIGHT TRACK Greenbrier, US-based international supplier of equipment and services to global freight transport markets, has not only achieved significant growth in its core North American market, but has successfully ramped up its European manufacturing capability. Romana Moares reports.

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reenbrier experienced another successful year in 2021, with orders of 2,900 new railcars valued at $345 million. Its highquality backlog and manufacturing flexibility demonstrates Greenbrier’s leadership in core markets.

The new railcar orders continue to reflect a broad range of railcar types including gondolas, tanks, covered hoppers and automobilecarrying units, indicative of broader industry trends that reveal a resurgent North American freight railcar market.

William A. Furman, Chairman and CEO said: “Railcar orders received during the first two months of the second fiscal quarter demonstrate Greenbrier’s strength in our core North American rail business.

“Almost all the orders originated from North America, where we have scaled our flexible manufacturing footprint to address the increasing levels of demand that we began preparing for months ago. Order activity for Greenbrier and industry-wide validates our

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recent investments in working capital to support the early stage of an extended recovery cycle for new railcar demand.”

European performance On the other side of the Atlantic, Greenbrier has also achieved remarkable progress. Freightliner UK, the British subsidiary of Genesee & Wyoming Inc., has received 40 new flat wagons of the FFA-G type from the consortium of Wabtec Axiom Rail and Greenbrier Europe.

The FFA-G series wagons were developed as a result of cooperation over more than two years between Freightliner, Wabtec and Greenbrier. This is the first batch of a 230-unit order placed by the British rail freight operator. The flat wagons were manufactured in Poland, specifically at the Wagony Świdnica plant, which is a part of the Greenbrier Companies, and the largest exporter of rolling stock in Poland.

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The Polish-Romanian consortium Wagony Świdnica – Astra Rail PKP has been busily working on another large contract: the Polish logistics operator Cargo S.A. has recently received the first batch of intermodal platforms intended for the international transport of containers and will pick up 220 more units this and next year. Świdnica and Astra Rail wagons are implementing this contract as part of the “Multi-system locomotives and wagons for intermodal transport” project, which is co-financed by EU funds from the Operational Programme Infrastructure and Environment.

Solid operational base Greenbrier, headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, is a leading international supplier of equipment and services to global freight transport markets. Through its wholly-owned subsidiaries and joint ventures, Greenbrier designs, builds and markets freight railcars and marine barges in North America, Europe and Brazil. The company is a major provider of freight railcar wheel services, parts, maintenance and retrofitting services both in North America and in Europe.

The US company’s European operation was established in 2017 when Greenbrier’s European business in Świdnica, Poland, and Astra Rail’s manufacturing operations in Arad, Romania, were brought together to form an end-to-end freight railcar manufacturing, engineering and repair business, serving customers across Europe and in the nations of the GCC (Gulf Co-operation Council).

Greenbrier Europe has now six high-performance production sites for freight wagons and bogies in Romania and Poland. The most recent addition (under Astra Rail) is the Caracal factory, with its products destined for export to the CIS countries, France, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia. With a covered area of 114,000 square metres, Astra Rail’s Caracal factory is one of the largest freight wagon manufacturing facilities in the world.

In 2018 Greenbrier Europe significantly extended its reach across the continent with the acquisition of a majority interest in the Turkish railcar builder Rayvag. The Turkish company now operates as an

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integral part of Greenbrier Europe, together with Poland’s Wagony Świdnica and Romania’s Astra Rail. As well as manufacturing railcars, Rayvag also provides maintenance services, and manufactures bogies and spare parts for railcars in the region.

The green way Continuously enhancing quality is one of Greenbrier Europe’s most important strategic goals. To achieve this objective, the company draws on its own expert department dedicated exclusively to quality assurance. The Greenbrier Europe Quality Management System has been certified in accordance with ISO 9001:2015, EN 14025, EN ISO 3834-2 and EN 15085. This is a field where Greenbrier Europe works together with TÜV (the German Technical Inspectorate).

The management is focused on promoting the sustainable and long-term development of the Group in its evolution into a technologically and financially strong market leader in Europe’s rail industry. Its long-term thinking takes precedence over short-term profit-driven considerations.

Prospects look good in Europe, where rail is increasingly seen as a ‘green’ transport mode. This is reflected in the European Commission’s strategy for sustainable and smart mobility which sets an objective to double rail freight traffic by 2050.

Given the current market climate, Greenbrier Europe can expect increased demand, and building on its solid track record, the Group will be an active participant in the move towards the EU’s longer n term sustainability objectives.

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In the beginning there was a logging site, a frame saw and the dream of a 14-year-old boy from central Finland. Now, Ponsse makes the best forest machines in the world. Romana Moares reports.

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innish forest machine manufacturer Ponsse is a textbook example of how a business can grow from a machine entrepreneur’s dream into an international export company.

The company was founded by Einari Vidgrén, the son of a small farmer from Northern Savonia in central Finland, who at the age of 14 started working at logging sites using a frame saw. Einari was carried away by forestry and at the end of the 1960s, he had developed a load-carrying forest tractor in a local village workshop, naming the machine after a mixed breed dog that roamed the village: Ponsse.

In 1994, Ponsse was the first forest machine manufacturer in the world to be awarded the ISO 9001 quality certificate. This led to intensified machine development work and an expansion of the product range. When the export market opened up, the company was listed on the stock exchange in 1995.

Today, Ponsse plc is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of cut-to-length forest machines, operating in harvesting markets in 40 different countries. Nearly 80% of its net sales come from exports, but the roots of the family-owned company lie deep in the Finnish countryside and the business is still based in Vieremä, in the same location in which it was founded in 1970.

From forest to forest Claimed to be ‘the logger’s best friend’, Ponsse provides its clients with the best tools for all tree species and harvesting environments.

Ponsse forest machinery is based on environmentally friendly cut-tolength (CTL) logging, where trees are felled, delimbed and cut into various log assortments before they leave the forest.

The product range covers all size categories of forest machinery, from thinning and harvesting of forest energy to heavy-duty regeneration felling, as well as for all logging sites, from soft soil to steep slopes.

The machines and their key components are designed and manufactured in-house, which guarantees that the company remains at the forefront of development and that its products meet the requirements of forest professionals.

Ponsse’s flagship product is the Scorpion harvester, first introduced to the public in 2013. The Scorpion harvester range, which became a global sales success and an international symbol of responsible forestry, was thoroughly modernised last year, setting a new standard for the operator’s working environment.

The new Future Cabin included in the PONSSE Scorpion launched in February 2021 won a product design award in the internationally acclaimed Red Dot design competition. This was the high-

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est recognition that could be achieved in the competition, granted to the best products of the various award categories.

Expanded footprint The difficult years of the global pandemic have not slowed the company’s expansion, both in terms of new regions and new products.

In January 2022, Ponsse opened a new 1,000 m2 service centre in Joensuu. This €2.5 million investment, which includes field and information system maintenance, spare parts and machine sales, technical support as well as a well-stocked spare parts storage and a Ponsse Shop, is the result of Ponsse’s growing market share and machine base in Eastern Finland as well as a desire to better serve its customers.

In February 2022, Ponsse moved to strengthen its operations in the Czech Republic. The company acquired all shares of Křenek Forest Service, its Ponsse forest machine and service dealer in

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the Czech Republic. The new entity will from now on operate as a subsidiary wholly owned by Ponsse.

Further afield, Ponsse has invested more than €2 million in the construction of a new service centre in Tomsk, Western Siberia.

Large stocks and an efficient logistics system guarantee customers short service times and fast spare parts deliveries. The investment supports the company’s continued growth in that region.

Most reputable company On the product side, the company has invested in further innovation.

In early 2022, Ponsse launched a completely upgraded Ponsse H8 harvester head. Active Speed is available for the harvester head as a new feature, giving the harvester head a superior performance.

Given the impressive achievement over a period of a global crisis, it comes as no surprise that in the minds of Finnish people, Ponsse

was recognised, yet again, as Finland’s most reputable company.

This honour has been collected for the fourth year in succession.

“We accept this recognition with a humble and grateful mind. It feels great that our story bears fruit and our thoroughly customerdriven way of working is ranked so highly. I would like to thank our entire Ponsse family: every Ponsse employee and customer, and their families, as well as our stakeholders across the world. No one can do this alone – we are in this together, both during good days and bad ones,” says Jarmo Vidgrén, Chairman of Ponsse’s Board of Directors.

He affirms that a good product range and confidential customer relationships are Ponsse’s foundation stones, together with its strong values, committed personnel, as well as its history and traditions.

Ponsse continues to follow the path cleared by Einari: “We manufacture the best forest machines in the world.” n

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NEWS

New developments in Transportation

How the Ukraine crisis could scupper Germany's EV targets

by Steven Gislam

T

he Russian invasion of Ukraine could prevent Germany from meeting its target of 15 million electric vehicles (EV) on the roads by 2030 says market analyst GlobalData.

Germany, like most countries, has a plan for cutting its greenhouse gas emissions with a 2045 target for net-zero. Increasing the number of EVs on the roads was an important element for how the country was to achieve this target.

According to Global Data, the crisis in Ukraine has led to an 18% rise in the price of Nickel - a key element in EV batteries - since the end of 2021 to over $24,000 (€21,800) per metric tonne. As a result, Germany could see stunted growth for EVs in the coming years.

Figures from the German Environment Agency, Umweltbundesamt (UBA), show the country's transportation sector accounts for 20% of total emissions.

Two of the major driving factors for EV adoption have been the central government subsidy and the battery prices. With battery prices set to increase and uncertainty on the central subsidy level from 2025, Germany may not be able to meet its EV target.

Mohit Prasad, Practice Head of Power at GlobalData, said: "Russia is the world’s third-largest nickel producer. Nickel is a significant ingredient that is used in lithium-ion battery manufacturing.

Batteries are the most important component of the electric vehicle. The Ukraine-Russia crisis has led to the highest increase of nickel prices in a decade."

Automakers in Germany have already been affected by the crisis. Volkswagen, which had sold

over 20% of the country’s EV sales in 2021, has suspended production at two factories in eastern Germany because the crisis has interrupted deliveries of critical components from western Ukraine.

GlobalData warns that if this continues, other manufacturers could also potentially suspend their operations.

"Germany has set an interim target of 48.1% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions coming from the transport sector from the 1990 level by 2030. The growth of the electric vehicle market is important for this. The country has already crossed one million electric cars on the roads. Half of these are Battery Electric Vehicles and the remaining are Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles. To reach its 15 million target only for EVs by 2030, the market should grow at a CAGR of 35%," Prasat added.

"Considering the issues and delays related to the procurement of raw materials, which would be further amplified with the Ukraine-Russia crisis, the country could expect a muted growth in the EV sector. This might dent the country’s preliminary target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions coming from the transport sector by 2030."

Nickel is not the only commodity necessary for car production that is set to be hit by the war. According to a report in The FT earlier this week, Ukraine supplies around 50% of the world's neon gas, an essential part of semiconductor production.

Automakers have already been suffering from a yearlong shortage in semiconductors, and the Russian invasion looks set to further compound this problem.

Visit: www.globaldata.com

Historic new deal could secure Africa's automotive future

by Steven Gislam

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historic deal has been signed by 12 automotive associations across Europe and Africa with an eye to accelerating the development of the African auto sector.

While many across the continent and beyond view the automotive sector as playing a key role in African industrialisation, it comes with many challenges.

Nonetheless, the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) believes that trade between nations across the continent can be bolstered and diversified through the development of a Pan-African Automotive Pact. Such a pact would look to expand the continent's market for new vehicles from one to five million units as well as connect regions.

Infrastructure in some parts of Africa still resembles much of that built by the former colonial powers. Road links between competing European spheres of influence were often discouraged, and in newly independent nations, 78 Industry Europe

border controls tended to be tightened as a means of protecting internal trade.

Roads built by the former powers tended to lead from mineral-rich inland areas to ports and coastal towns for transport of goods back to Europe, rather than between neighbouring areas.

A number of modern major infrastructure developments, such as the Trans-African Highway network, are in place as a way to remedy this, but this must also be accompanied by a bolstering of the auto sector.

One of the catalysts that led to the signing of the automotive agreement was the launch of the AfCFTA – African Continental Free Trade Area in 2019, which aims to ultimately create the world's largest free trade area among all 54 African nations.

The MoU was initially pushed by the AAAM, along with the German car association the VDA, and the German-African business association Afrika-Verein, and has the support of both the European and African Unions.

According to the AAAM, the deal aims to "grow the automotive sector in Africa through integration into the global and European value chains".

Following the signing, Dave Coffey the CEO of AAAM, said: "The trade and investment climate in Africa can only be improved together. We are convinced that Africa has great potential to develop a promising automotive industry that will provide long-term employment.

"The fact that African and European associations have agreed on key points to further develop the industry on the continent is an important milestone.

Now political representatives are to support this by creating the framework conditions for the industry to develop and grow."

Visit: https://aaamafrica.com

TRANSPORTATION NEWS

INDUSTRYNEWS Origami e-bikes: "A dance between robots and steel"

The Stilride SUS1

by Ash Jones

O

rigami is the art of folding paper into shapes and is an ancient part of Japanese culture.

But what if this process could be applied to the manufacturing line?

This was the idea for Swedish design startup Stilride, which has unveiled a line of electric motorcycles and scooters created through a process they dubbed "industrial origami" robots that fold single sheets of recycling steel into intricate, lightweight and durable structures that could hit showrooms later this year.

The use of green steel and low-carbon robotics allows the active carbon emissions from the production of the motorbikes to be significantly reduced.

The robots take this renewable steel and fashion it into both the chassis and body of the vehicles to form a fleet of "next-generation" motorcycles that run entirely on electricity.

Known as the "Stilfold" technique, it is the brainchild of best friends Tue Beijer and Jonas Nyvang. Both have backgrounds in fashion and engineering and decided to meld the two into a fascinating new design.

The duo have ambitions to redefine how high-performance mobility products are manu-

factured and distributed using the cutting-edge of industrial technology: green steel, robotics and innovations in design. “[Our design] at the intersection of technology, mobility and design. My co-founder Tue first introduced the idea for the scooter to me at a dinner in 2019. He sketched out how it could be manufactured using origami folding and built a model out of paper," Stilride CEO Jonas Nyvang said.

He described the technology as a "dance between robots and steel" with the ambition of creating high-performance motorcycles that can stand up to their traditionally-fuelled cousins.

"It’s surreal to have now created a high-spec electric motorcycle that’s true to that original vision.

It meets our commitment to sustainability whilst also having a radical and distinctive design identity.

"Not only is it unisex, but it’s uni-age. It’s designed for everyone and we hope it can be an accessible entry point to the world of scooters and motorcycles for those with an eye for style and a love of nature," he added.

The first model due to hit shelves is the company's Sport Utility Scooter One (SUS1). Unlike

traditional scooters which consist of a tubular frame and plastic body, the entirety of this motorcycle is made using folded stainless steel over curves, mimicking the origami technique.

The company claims the major advantage of this design is a significant reduction in materials during production. The SUS1 reportedly required 70% fewer components, sees a 25% reduction in labour costs and a 20% reduction in material costs.

E-motorbikes are just the first step for the company, which will also be attempting to apply this design process in creating cargo bikes and trailers.

The company is also planning to refine its production process that will allow the steel to be flat-packed and shipped to local factories across Europe. These will be folded and fitted with a hub motor and a battery pack.

"We’re launching in Europe first as it’s a market that relies heavily on outsourcing and has much to gain from increasing its domestic manufacturing capabilities. Next, we will look to expand into other international markets. It’s an exciting time to be in the green mobility space and we’re ready to make our mark," Nyvang concluded The firm claims that, under current development, the creation of the chassis of these origami scooters has a climate impact 50% lower than traditional ones.

The SUS1 has reached 90,000 pre-orders and the first rollout is expected for Autumn 2022.

Visit: www.stilride.com

Autoliv joins Polestar project to create climate-neutral car

by Romana Moares & Ash Jones

S

wedish car safety systems developer Autoliv is to join Polestar in its initiative to develop a truly climate-neutral car by 2030.

The "Polestar 0" project aims to spur collaboration across automotive supply chains in a bid to change the view on sustainability in the sector, effectively making the vehicles fully sustainable across its value chain, and not just in its fuel use.

In addition, Autoliv has pledged to become carbon neutral in its own operations by 2030 and aim for net-zero emissions across its supply chain by 2040.

Autoliv and Polestar intend to research and develop technology aiming at finding climate neutral solutions and innovations related to automotive safety such as pyrotechnics, textiles, and new generations of materials for airbags and seat belts.

"We are happy and proud to join forces with Polestar. To reach our ambitious climate targets, we need to collaborate across the value chain. We are wellpositioned to continue to support our partners and customers in achieving their sustainability goals", says Mikael Bratt, President and CEO of Autoliv.

"It was clear from the start that this is not a solo mission and we are very excited to present such a strong line-up of interested partners, all leaders within

their fields, including Autoliv. We are leveraging innovation and collaboration to address the climate crisis", says Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO. The "Polestar 0" project unites companies across the automotive supply chain to leverage innovation and collaboration to address the climate crisis and change the view of how to manufacture cars in a sustainable way.

Visit: www.autoliv.com

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TRANSPORTATION NEWS

INDUSTRYNEWS

New developments in the Transportation

Maersk inks green methanol supply deal with Proman

by Steven Gislam

S

hipping giant Maersk has signed an agreement with the Swiss methanol and fertiliser company Proman which will see the development of green methanol for Maersk's new container vessels.

Under the deal, Proman is to supply Maersk with 100,000 to 150,000 tonnes of green methanol per year from its new 200,000 tonnes per year methanol facility, currently under development in Texas. The facility is scheduled to be up and running in 2025 and will produce bio-methanol from non-recyclable forestry residues as well as municipal waste.

The two companies will also collaborate on the development of further global projects that will produce and deliver green methanol to Maersk's ships. The aim is to optimise supply of the fuel at the shipping giant's key bunkering points and drive forward sustainability in the shipping and maritime sector.

Proman said it was also looking at and evaluating multiple potential future bio- and e-methanol projects in the UK, mainland Europe and South America.

These possible future projects would form part of a longer-term green methanol supply strategy for Maersk and the shipping sector more broadly.

Proman CEO David Cassidy said: "Maersk’s industry-leading commitment to green methanol is fully aligned with Proman’s belief that methanol

should be a key part of the energy transition. Methanol-powered vessels are already in use today, with a proven track record of reducing and even eliminating major emissions like particulate matter and sulphur oxides.

"We are excited to bring our deep industry experience to help deliver on Maersk’s bold ambitions, working together to deliver green methanol and clean shipping at a global scale."

Henriette Hallberg Thygesen, the CEO of Fleet & Strategic Brands at Maersk, said: "To transition towards decarbonisation, we need a significant and timely acceleration in the production of green fuels. Green methanol is the only market-ready and scalable available solution today for shipping.

"Production must be increased through collaboration across the ecosystem and around the world. That is why these partnerships mark an important milestone to get the transition to green energy underway."

Key challenges remain in securing competitively priced green methanol globally, however. In order to help decarbonise the global shipping industry, which has been calling for further legislative action that it says is necessary to help level the playing field and incentivise the adoption of lower-emission fuels.

Proman has also called for more consistent and transparent emissions calculations and accounting standards, which it says will be critical to allow like-for-like comparisons between future fuels.

It is widely believed in the sector that methanol is one of the most viable fuels for meeting the challenges associated with decarbonising the maritime sector.

Visit: www.maersk.com

The 16-tonne electric trucks coming to London & Paris

by Steven Gislam

T

he world's first fully-electric 16-tonne trucks are soon to be a regular sight on the streets of London and Paris after debuting in Madrid next month.

Swedish commercial EV startup Volta Trucks announced that the Volta Zero will debut in the Spanish capital on April 5 as part of Volta's European roadshow at the Circuito del Jarma, which hosted the Grand Prix between 1968 and 1981.

According to the European Commission, in 2020 trucks were responsible for around 75% of inland freight activity in the EU, making them an integral part of the economy. However, despite accounting for less than 2% of vehicles on Europe's roads, trucks represent around 23% of CO2 emissions from road transport.

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The company claims the Volta Zero was purposely designed with the objective of decarbonising last-mile logistics in mind and developed for city-centre distribution where air quality is often at its worst.

Volta Trucks plans to produce 5,000 vehicles throughout Europe in 2023 with the aim of 14,000 in 2024, and 27,000 in 2025. The 16-tonne vehicle is the first of the four models, which range between 7.5- and 18-tonnes.

The decision to launch the Volta Zero in London and Paris was down to both cities' "progressive legislation in favour of decarbonisation and the need for zero-emission full-electric commercial vehicles". The launch will then later be followed by a "strategic expansion" in other cities throughout Europe and North America.

Volta says that it is looking to eliminate around 1.2 million tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2025.

The announcement followed the conclusion of a Series C funding round which saw a total investment of €230 million into the company coming from existing New York-based investor, Luxor Capital Group, LP, which led the round, and Stockholm-based initial seed investor and co-lead, Byggmästare Anders J Ahlström.

Volta said the latest funding round will fund engineering and business operations until after the start of production in late 2022 including the development of the 7.5- and 12-tonne derivatives and the preparations for its manufacturing plant in Steyr, Austria to begin production by the end of the year.

"We are a revolutionary and innovative player in the field of commercial vehicles, and we are pleased that the successful and oversubscribed conclusion of our Series C funding round demonstrates the confidence placed by new and existing investors in the strategy and track record of Volta Trucks.

"They are top-level investors who share our vision and trust in the scalability of our business model, the future of electric commercial vehicles and the new value proposition in the commitment to a greener, safer and more sustainable city," said Volta Trucks CEO, Essa Al-Saleh.

In December, the company signed a preorder agreement for nearly 1,500 Volta Zeros with road transport company DB Schenker.

The Volta Zero has a range of up to 200 km (124 miles), with a top speed of 90 km/h (56 mph) and a payload capacity of up to 8 tonnes.

Visit: https://voltatrucks.com