Gold star for S&T centre

• Science hub rebuilds with recycled concrete
• Earns a 'gold certificate' for the sustainable efforts 

Heilbronn, a city in Germany, opened in 2015 a science and technology (S&T) centre which was funded by the European Union and the German state Baden-Württemberg. Besides the modern equipment in the restaurant and conference areas, the main feature of the construction project was the use of recycled concrete (RC concrete).

Colourful solutions

• German painting and coating specialist explores new techniques to boost quality
• Less faults translates into material and energy savings 

The German paint and colour company Karl Wörwag Lack- und Farbenfabrik GmbH & Co KG produces high-quality coating materials. The company tried to develop a new way to apply paint while reducing the faulty coating ratio, energy, and the use of paint during the process.

Recycled concrete (RC concrete) comes from construction waste which results from the reconstruction, demolition or dismantling of buildings, roads and other infrastructure using concrete.

A first step is to separate the concrete from 'contamination' materials like wood and plastics and to sort it into precise grain sizes. For the manufacturing process, it is important to consider the different material streams so the RC concrete can be used in different applications optimally.

A machine tool management system is used to collect data for efficient production planning. For example, it records the tools used to dliver specific orders and their operating condition at any given time. The monitoring is often done by RFIDs or barcodes.

Additive manufacturing includes many technologies, like 3D-printing, rapid prototyping, direct digital manufacturing, layered manufacturing, and additive fabrication. They all have one main thing in common; the addition of material layer by layer. Typically, apart from the additive manufacturing machine itself, a computer with modelling software is needed (e.g. computer assisted design, CAD). The layered material can include various kinds of metal (e.g high-grade steel, aluminium, titanium, alloyed metal) and plastics.

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.