Sun smart power

• Industrial painting company turns to renewable energy
• Combined with smart technology, it cut energy consumption by 50 % 

The German painting company Lackiercenter Schulte uses vast amounts of hot air in its drying chambers. One chamber is for painting cars, where a constant airstream of 23° C is required. Another chamber, the drying chamber, needs a constant flow of 70° C.

Old meets new...

• Foundry explores new digital monitoring technology
• The new approach saves the company about 243 600 kWh of electricity per year

The German foundry Kemptener Eisengießerei has taken an important first step as it seeks to digitalise its manufacturing processes.

A sintering success

• Tool-maker investigates ways to cut its material waste and boost efficiency
• A type of 3D-printing technique proves effective 

The German company Jomatik GmbH produces prototypes and production tools using laser sintering techniques. One of its customers uses a mechanical gripper for packing medicinal products.

Forging ahead

• German engineering firm explores new technologies to save resources
• 3D printing and laser melting techniques are employed to great effect

Rosswag GmbH is a German metal-working company forging and cutting various products especially for the aviation industry and energy mechanical engineering.

Finnish businesses have developed several digital and smart technology-based applications and solutions to reduce food waste in restaurants.

A better 'grada' of plywood for eco-design

• An ecological thermos-formable plywood material is made for ecological designs
• Benefits of the material include a faster manufacturing process and opportunities for new kinds of designs

UPM Plywood is the leading plywood supplier in Europe, with production facilities in Finland, Estonia and Russia. Their thermo-formable wood material, UPM Grada, is an example of an ideal material choice for a designer that seeks to follow the principles of eco-design.

As good as new... or better

• A Finnish engine manufacturer has maximised material efficiency by combining modular product design to remanufacturing
• Remanufactured engines can be better than the originals

AGCO Power makes diesel engines for many of the world’s leading manufacturers of tractors, other farm machinery and off-road machines, such as harvesters. At the company's factory in Nokia, Finland there is a long tradition of remanufacturing engines. Currently, some 1 000 engines are remanufactured per year.

Guaranteed gearbox returns...

Shared table... a shared cause 

Bread salvagers

• Bread surplus from a Finnish grocery trading cooperative is used to produce bioethanol and animal feed
• Leftovers are collected from over 50 stores and bakeries in and around Helsinki

The Helsinki Cooperative Society Elanto - or HOK-Elanto - is a grocery trading cooperative operating in the Helsinki region.