Do you have the impression that everyone is talking about sustainability and singling out Industry 4.0 and digitalisation as means to boost companies' competitive power without getting into the nitty-gritty specifics? If yes, then you are not alone. Many companies find themselves challenged by both the digital transformation of process technologies and the objective of satisfying the requirements of sustainable production. Is sustainable production and/or digitalisation of process technologies a focus area for your company? Or have you already initiated such projects? Or is the acquisition of a new process technology the decisive factor for developing and producing a new product? Or are the current process technologies an impediment to the competitive positioning?

If your company lacks the resources to analyse the above challenges and identify solutions based on thorough knowledge of technology management and process technology opportunities, we have students who possess state-of-the-art knowledge within the field. During the course of the project, the students can screen for process technology opportunities, prepare road maps, analyse and compose requirement specifications as well as suggestions for acquisition and implementation. If relevant, it will be possible to test and qualify potential solutions in one of our labs, for instance through modelling and simulation.

The objective is that, after the project, the student will be better equipped to identify, formulate, communicate and, if relevant, implement the proposed solution. The communication aims to illustrate the feasibility of the proposed solution as well as the financial and business-related consequences of completing the project.

What can the company expect from this project?

• Practice-oriented analyses and solution development: The student works with issues defined by the company with the purpose of developing realistic solutions to current process technology challenges. In addition to optimisation of process technologies, analyses can be made in terms of screening, road maps, determination of requirements and preparation of acquisition specifications.
• Result: Analysis and solutions in the form of a presentation and a report (and lab tests, if relevant).
• New colleagues: The company has the opportunity to find students for new projects as well as future employees.

What is required by the company?

• The company's perceived challenges and its desire to improve performance or uncover new opportunities form the basis for a process technology project.
• Conduct of meetings with the student during the course of the project.
• Availability in terms of answering questions from the student by email or phone.