In the last 12 months, Danish manufacturers have seen multiple challenges; the need for environmental sustainability, COVID 19, changes in global trade and disruptive digital technologies. In the spring of 2020, the Danish manufacturing community launched the applied research and innovation platform MADE FAST (Flexible, Agile and Sustainable production supported by Talented employees) to develop new solutions and opportunities in face of these complex challenges.
MADE FAST addresses these challenges by building on the strong MADE ecosystem of SMEs, large manufacturers, universities, RTO’s and educational institutions. Together they will develop and demonstrate new solutions for flexible, agile manufacturing with a low environmental footprint, supported by new digital educational solutions. The broad investment in MADE FAST ensures a holistic approach to industrial innovation and implementation.
MADE FAST
Despite the challenges faced in 2020, industry has maintained its commitment to MADE FAST increasing the overall investment in the platform.
Initially some delays where experienced, however, by December 2020 the majority of the 48 Ph.D. and postdoc research projects were launched and the 26 innovation projects for SMEs initiated.
The commitment is enormous, says MADE’s Managing Director, who believes that the solutions from MADE FAST will support world-class manufacturing in Denmark.
Despite the current crisis Aalborg Portland and SME, Plastix have adopted a long-term strategy to address the climate challenges. Challenges that cannot be solved by a single organization. Solutions to these problems requires new knowledge, ideas, and innovation from a strong manufacturing cluster. This was the foundation for launching MADE FAST in April 2020.
Despite the challenges faced in 2020, industry has maintained its commitment to MADE FAST increasing the overall investment in the platform. Initially some delays where experienced, however, by December 2020 the majority of the 48 Ph.D. and postdoc research projects were launched and the 26 innovation projects for SMEs initiated.
We are experiencing a great deal of commitment, curiosity and willingness to cooperate. SME’s, larger manufacturers, universities, and RTO’s are working together to develop new solutions, products, and knowledge
Nigel Edmondson, MADE’s Managing Director
“We are experiencing a great deal of commitment, curiosity and willingness to cooperate. SME’s, larger manufacturers, universities, and RTO’s are working together to develop new solutions, products, and knowledge. Companies engage with each other to collaborate on productivity, sustainability, flexibility, and agility,” says Nigel Edmondson, MADE’s Managing Director.
Despite MADE FAST being launched in a year that was anything than business as usual, MADE is experiencing great support for the platform.
Enabling long-term solutions in a time of crisis
“We are really happy to be part of MADE FAST. Our efforts in MADE FAST go beyond the current COVID-19 situation. It is excellent that we at MADE can pursue long-term goals with research projects to contribute to climate efforts and at the same time run a good business,” says Jesper Sand Damtoft, Development Director at Aalborg Portland.
Denmark’s only cement producer from Aalborg has committed to reducing their CO2 emissions by 30 % compared to 1990. However, the company has a goal of achieving even more. It requires the development of new technologies, which require investment and are more expensive to operate than the conventional manufacturing methods. To achieve that, new business models need to be developed to pave the way for making a good business out of products that will cost far more than today.
“We saw MADE FAST as a good opportunity to establish a Ph.D. project, where we combine the technical and business areas with a focus on sustainability and CO2. To achieve our commitment, we need new technology that can capture and store CO2,” explains Jesper Sand Damtoft.
The large manufacturing company will develop new technology in MADE FAST. The goal is to set up a plant that removes CO2 from the flue gases in cement manufacturing.
“Can construction materials or fuel be made from CO2?” asks Jesper Sand Damtoft – the answer may be found in MADE FAST.
The construction industry is not affected greatly by the pandemic, but there have still been many challenges to address to maintain production under the COVID 19 restrictions.
“Recently, we had 70 employees in North Jutland who were not able to show up for work. It was not easy. We have paid attention to protecting the critical functions and avoiding travel,” says the development director, adding:
“For us – and the construction industry – the climate challenge is greater than the COVID-19 crisis. As I see it, it is also the strength of MADE, that we reach the finish line in the long run. It is good that companies are moving closer together. We have also received ideas and inspiration for new competencies at the academic level, which we hope we can use to develop the business.”
Small businesses are a big part of MADE
MADE FAST includes both large, global players such as Aalborg Portland, and small and medium-sized companies, where the majority of the 220 members of MADE are SME’s with less than 100 employees. One of the members active in MADE FAST is Plastix, located in Lemvig.
“For Plastix, it is absolutely central to be at the forefront, and to collaborate with established expert environments within research and development. We cannot solve everything by ourselves. MADE FAST gives us insight into, and access to technologies, and provides us with opportunities to show how recycled plastic can be integrated into virtually all products,” says Hans Axel Kristensen, CEO of Plastix.
The manufacturing company transforms, among other things, used fishing nets and ropes into new sustainable “Green Plastic” raw material for the industry, MADE FAST will scientifically document how to improve the quality, properties, and application possibilities of the new plastic raw material.
Both Aalborg Portland and Plastix are part of the MADE FAST work program Sustainable Manufacturing Business Models and Design of Value-chains, where the purpose is to produce sustainable products with the entire life cycle in mind – and Hans Axel Kristensen believes that collaboration is the key to solving the structural challenges we face in the transition to a circular economy.
Crisis time is the starting point for a 500-year plan
Plastix – like Aalborg Portland – want to develop new circular business models, and through MADE FAST, the SME will explore how recycled plastic can be used for food packaging.
“We are in the process of creating a completely new market for Green Plastic. We use this time of crisis proactively to change our self-understanding in relation to the entire value chain. We currently experience our partners being forced to stop and reflect on a sustainable future, and it is this which stimulates new development projects,” assesses Plastix’ CEO.
We use this time of crisis proactively to change our self-understanding in relation to the entire value chain
Hans Axel Kristensen, Plastix’ CEO
Plastix and Aalborg Portland are in complete agreement: The corporate vision must be long-term, to ensure circular products, and to help solve the climate challenges. And the COVID-19 crisis is an occasion to stop and look far, far ahead.
“We should operate with a 500-year plan. We must look very, very far into the future. Ultra-short-term companies will face a disruption if they do not join this agenda. The long term will, in a way, represent the “License to Operate””, Hans Axel Kristensen points out.
This is a contributing factor to the progress and traction of MADE FAST, despite the weekly changing conditions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Despite layoffs, reduced revenue, and COVID-19 related challenges across the industry, the MADE FAST collaboration is a priority. We are well aware that for many these are hard times,” says Nigel Edmondson.
