PITCCH first corporate challenges in advanced technologies

Horizon 2020 INNOSUP funded PITCCH project is a recently established Pan-European Open Innovation Network that aims to build structured collaborations between big corporations (BCs) and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) leading to the acceleration of innovative solutions based on advanced technologies.

The first PITCCH challenges are introduced by big players such as Aptiv, EFACEC, Procter & Gamble, Repsol, Saint-Gobain, SPIE and Siemens Energy. All of them are brought together to the project with the scope of finding the best solution provider for their technological challenges and of pursuing technological breakthroughs through the open innovation approach more relevant than ever. At this round of corporate challenges, SMEs and Startups can submit their proposals until the 1st of March 2021. SMEs can get a 25K award and free consultancy services (up to 40h) in facilitation, negotiation, moderation, technology advice and positioning, to collaborate with big corporations by working together on one of the following challenges.

Challenge by APTIV “Eye See Glasses – Remote Support” in advanced manufacturing and digital technologies
Giving technical support to automotive customers in their factories worldwide is more and more demanding in terms of response times, quality of the information and efficiency. Aptiv is seeking for an SME or a startup that can develop the Eye See Glasses for remote and real-time technical support and guidance to solve product implementation problems, where the multi interaction becomes possible, increasing response quality and therefore customer satisfaction.

Challenge by EFACEC “Smart Digital Transformer Management Solution” in digital technologies and micro and nano-electronics
EFACEC is looking for a partner to co-develop a cost-effective and reliable IoT hardware for remote monitoring, to digitalize all oil-immersed transformers, allowing a faster advancement of smart grids to cope with the energy transition challenges. As a result, it is expected “one size fits all” off the shelf standard solution that can be fitted and retrofitted to all oil-immersed transformers.

Challenge by Procter & Gamble: “Plastic-free recyclable packaging for liquid detergents” in advanced materials and nanotechnology
We are all aware of how much plastic is polluting the earth and how many products still rely on this material. Procter & Gamble is one of the main sellers of liquid detergents. Their challenge is aimed to avoid the plastic use in liquid detergents packages by searching an SME or a startup that can propose an alternative material or a shaped package that can hold liquids. This material shall be compatible with paper streams, plastic-free and recyclable.

Challenge by Repsol “Bio-indole for gasoline octane booster” in industrial biotechnology
The EU committed to cut CO2 emissions from non-ETS sectors by 2030 by 30% and liquid fuels still represent 93% of all energy used in transport. One of the options is to raise the octane number of petrol to RON >100, which would help reduce 20 million tons of CO2 from petrol engine cars annually. Repsol's is searching for an SME or startup to achieve this goal through the development of a new family of more efficient Bio-additives alternative to Bio-ethers to raise the fuel octane number.

Challenge by Saint-Gobain “Tile grout as a ceramic” in advanced materials
The application of tile grout between ceramic tiles is used primarily as a complement to the mechanical behaviour of the tiles. However, consumer demand is now becoming more rigorous in terms of the aesthetic perspective. Saint-Gobain is searching for an SME or startup to collaborate on developing a tile grout that behaves as close as possible to ceramic in terms of colour stability, and mechanical and fungi/bacteria resistance.

Challenge by Siemens Energy “Climate-friendly process steam supply” in energy technologies
Siemens Energy manufactures highly efficient steam turbines. Even though their steam supply is already partly provided by climate-friendly energy supplies such as concentrated solar power or biomass, they also use fossil fuel-fired. Siemens Energy is looking for an SME or startup that will offer innovative technologies to establish a completely climate-friendly steam supply process.

Challenge by SPIE “Open Data systems for building environment” in digital technologies
SPIE is an international business specialised in the installation of electrical and other infrastructure systems. They have a vision for the integration, analysis and visualization of data stemming from those systems to inform users. SPIE is searching for an SME or a startup to co-develop an Open platform aimed to gather information/data, integrate, analyse and visualise them to facilitate the energy management and energy saving of users. The Challenge is focused on the building sector as 80% is currently underperforming in terms of eco-sustainability.