RISE – Research Institutes of Sweden
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Ökad livsmedelsproduktion i Sverige – sidoströmmar blir nya produkter
No full textI detta Faktablad summeras några av de resultat som ett projekt finansierat inom EIP-AGRI (Europeiskt innovationsprojekt) Ökad produktion av livsmedel i Sverige – tillvarata sidoströmmar för innovativa produkter (projekt 2022-2445) har kommit fram till. Projektet har utforskat möjligheter att använda sidoströmmar; broccoliblad och grönkålsstjälk/stam, i olika steg från primärproduktion till nya livsmedelsingredienser och marknad för dessa. Målet har varit att ta fram lagringsstabila ”våta” (dvs inte torkade) ingredienser med god kvalitet, som kan användas som ingredienser i olika maträtter. Idag används inte stora delar av broccoli- och grönkålsplantor, trots att de är näringsrika, utan lämnas att plöjas ned i fält eller sorteras bort efter skörd. Metoder för skördehantering, skördeekonomi, lämpliga processtekniker, livscykelanalys, mikrobiologisk analys och riskbedömning, analys av näringsämnen och bioaktiva ämnen, sensorik och marknadsaspekter har undersökts för dessa sidoströmmar
Accounting for carbon capture solvent cost and energy demand in the energy system
No full textTechnical carbon dioxide removal through bioenergy with carbon capture or direct air capture (DAC) plays a role in virtually all climate mitigation scenarios. Both of these technologies rely on the use of chemical solvents or sorbents in order to capture CO2. Lately, concerns have surfaced about the cost and energy implications of producing solvents and sorbents at scale. Here, we show that the production of chemical sorbents could have significant implications on system cost, energy use and material use depending on how much they are consumed. Among the three chemical sorbents investigated, namely monoethanolamine (MEA) for post-combustion carbon capture, potassium hydroxide (KOH) for liquid DAC and polyethylenimine-silica (PEI) for solid sorbent DAC, we found that solid sorbent production for DAC represents the highest uncertainties for the system. At the high range of solid sorbent consumption, total energy system cost increased by up to 6.5%, while effects for other options were small to negligible. Scale-up of material production capacities was also substantial for MEA and PEI. While PEI has the advantage of requiring a lower sorbent regeneration temperature than KOH, the potential production cost may outweigh these benefits. There is thus a trade-off between the advantages and the additional cost uncertainty regarding sorbents. Implications of sorbent consumption for carbon capture technologies should be considered more thoroughly in scenarios relying on solid sorbent DAC.Funding from the SwedishEnergy Agency, Project Number 2021-00067</p
Towards Credible Simulators: A Validation Methodology for Safety-Critical Virtual Testing
No full textRecent advances in high-performance graphics and physics engines (e.g., Unreal Engine) have popularized simulators for safety-critical system testing, yet credible validation is essential for reliable outcomes. This paper introduces a novel methodology for validating simulation toolchains, combining principles from SAE and UNECE frameworks with validation cycles to accommodate evolving safety-critical requirements. We demonstrate this approach through a case study evaluating the color fidelity of an Unreal Engine-based perception toolchain for safety-critical applications such as human and obstacle detection. Comparative tests of real and simulated camera outputs show that Unreal Engine’s camera model achieves "Delta E" < 4 under controlled lighting, closely matching the reference colors, but complex real-world lighting and seasonal variations can introduce perceivable color discrepancies. Our iterative methodology enables progressive refinements (reducing "Delta E" variations) and establishes critical traceability links for assessors related to evolving system requirements, toolchain modifications, as well as validation evidence. The resulting framework provides assessors with a verifiable chain of evidence from initial discrepancies to compliance, bridging the gap between adaptive development and certification needs
Advancing Sustainability Through Industrial Symbiosis : A Technoeconomic Approach Using Material Flow Cost Accounting and Cost–Benefit Analysis
No full textIndustrial symbiosis (IS) involves transferring waste materials and/or energy flows between stakeholders to enhance resource efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. The success of these transactions depends on supply–demand matching, technical feasibility of waste integration into industrial processes, economic savings, and compliance with legal and environmental regulations. This paper presents a methodology for the technoeconomic assessment of IS projects, integrating material flow cost accounting (MFCA) and cost–benefit analysis (CBA) incorporating CAPEX and OPEX considerations. MFCA, traditionally used to identify hidden costs from inefficiencies, is adapted here to assess resource utilisation across industry networks. The methodology is applied to two real-world demo cases: a novel fertiliser production process in Escombreras (Spain), where IS focuses on process optimisation and by-product valorisation, and an IS process design in Frövi (Sweden), where CO2 and residual energy flows are exchanged between industrial sectors. The results demonstrate the potential of MFCA-CBA integration to enhance decision making in IS implementation. In Spain, process optimisation led to a 50% reduction in operating costs, whereas, in Sweden, CO2 reutilisation resulted in a 30% increase in resource efficiency. These findings highlight the economic and environmental benefits of IS and provide insights into cost allocation and pricing strategies.This research received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement no. 958337, CORALIS project.</p
How high feed-in tariffs impacted the capital cost of solar PV in Japan
No full textThis study investigates the impact of feed-in tariffs (FITs) on the capital expenditures (CAPEX) of solar photovoltaics (PV) projects in Japan. In 2012, Japan introduced a FIT scheme with the highest tariff levels in the world. Tariffs for a project were set at the time when the project obtained a qualification, but early projects had no deadline for starting operations, and many where not built until many years later. The installed capacity of solar PV in Japan surged under the scheme. However, Japan has suffered from high costs of solar PV compared to the global level. Using survey data from Japanese solar PV projects, and econometric modelling we leverage the fact that projects qualified at different points in time, with different FIT levels, have subsequently been built simultaneously. We find that higher FIT levels are correlated with increased CAPEX, where a 1 JPY/kWh increase in the FIT level is linked to a 3.31 JPY/W rise in CAPEX. This may be due to that developers with guaranteed high tariffs have weaker incentives to reduce costs and/or to strategic pricing by suppliers. Our findings indicate that poorly designed support schemes can counteract the policy goal of reducing renewable energy costs. This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI [grant number20H00649]. Economic support from Formas -a Swedish ResearchCouncil for Sustainable Development is also gratefully acknowledged(2020–00184_Formas).</p
Hybrid manufacturing of a 3D-shaped fiber metal laminate
No full textThis contribution presents a methodology for designing, manufacturing, and testing of a multi-material solution demonstrator of a lower control arm for electric vehicle (EV) chassis made of a three-dimensional Fiber reinforced polymer-Metal Laminate (FML). The Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) approach includes simulation methodology for process modeling, i.e. forming and draping, and part performance with the aim to reduce the developing time and related trial and errors. The challenges, besides a limited availability of resources and material input data for numerical models, include the combination of different forming methods for Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers (GFRP) and sheet metals (aluminum alloy) with the aim of simultaneous forming of both materials. Especially the sheet metal forming needed several improvement steps regarding heat treatment state to increase the ductility and reduce crack propagation, as well as optimization of the shape of the blanks to be formed into an asymmetric, three-dimensional geometry. Assembly includes adhesive bonding of the flat FML to the curved structure, and adapters for the testing to be performed. The quasi-static misuse testing is in good agreement to the results obtained from the simulated structural performance, with the weakest location being the adhesive bond line. An outlook on potential improvements regarding process simulation for manufacturing Fiber Metal Laminates, including necessary input data, is provided. The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 innovation action program under grant agreement No 101006844 – Fatigue4Light project.</p
Application of Nordic Keyhole and Nutri-Score for assessment of nutritional quality of plant-based dairy analogues
No full textBackground: Public interest in plant-based dairy analogues is increasing; thus, their assessment by front-of-pack nutrition labelling schemes such as Keyhole and Nutri-Score can facilitate the identification of products with optimal nutritional quality. In this study, Keyhole and the latest version of Nutri-Score criteria were applied to plant-based dairy analogues (i.e., milk, yoghurt, cheese, cream, fat spread, and ice cream analogues) in the Swedish market to evaluate their nutritional quality. Methods: Nutritional data for 222 plant-based dairy analogues were collected from food manufacturers’ websites, and the eligibility of these analogues for Keyhole and Nutri-Score (A to E) were assessed. Products eligible for Keyhole and Nutri-Score A or B were deemed to have optimal nutritional quality. Results: 16% of plant-based milk analogues (from oat-, almond-, rice-, and potato-based products), 2% of plant-based yoghurt analogues and 37% of plant-based fat spread analogues were eligible for Keyhole. The plant-based cheese, cream and ice cream analogues were ineligible for Keyhole. None of the plant-based milk analogues qualified for Nutri-Score A, and 45% (mainly soy-, almond-, coconut-, pea- and mixed-based products) qualified for Nutri-Score B. 68% of plant-based yoghurt analogues (from oat-, soy-, almond- and mixed-based products) qualified for Nutri-Score A or B. The plant-based cheese, fat spread and ice cream analogues were ineligible for Nutri-Score A or B and 32% of plant-based cream analogues qualified for Nutri-Score B. A higher percentage of organic milk analogues and a lower percentage of organic yoghurt analogues were eligible for Keyhole and Nutri-Score A or B compared to their non-organic varieties. Keyhole and Nutri-Score had an agreement on classifying two plant-based dairy analogues as optimal nutritional quality products and 133 plant-based dairy analogues as suboptimal. Conclusions: There is variability in the eligibility of plant-based dairy analogues for Keyhole and Nutri-Score labelling. Eligibility for Keyhole was highest among plant-based fat spread analogues, while Nutri-Score A and B ratings were more common for plant-based yoghurt analogues. Plant-based cheese and ice cream analogues were ineligible for Keyhole and Nutri-Score A or B. Since the micronutrient content of organic and non-organic plant-based dairy analogues did not affect their evaluation by Keyhole and Nutri-Score, this limitation warrants further consideration. Open access funding provided by RISE Research Institutes of Sweden. This study was part of FINEST (Food Innovation for Enabling System Transition) project. FINEST is supported by the Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning (FORMAS) [Grant no. 2020–02839]. </p
Is transparency a good business strategy? : Consumer preferences and willingness to pay for information about the chemical content of reused and recycled clothing
No full textRecirculation can play an important role minimizing the environmental impact of the textile industry. However, there exist conflicts between recirculation of resources and regulatory strategies for a non-toxic environment. One pathway to remove restricted substances from recirculation is through labelling strategies that inform consumers about the chemical content of products. To date, research on the influence of information about chemical content on consumers’ willingness to pay for retail purchases, particular in the clothing sector, is rather limited. Using discrete choice experiments conducted in Denmark, Sweden and the United Kingdom with a sample of 1528 adults, we investigated whether access to information about the chemical content of garments influences consumer willingness to pay across new, recycled and reused clothing. Although access to information about restricted chemicals is enshrined as a right-to-know in the European Union’s regulations, the study highlights low awareness of this right: <23 % of respondents in all countries have requested such information. Findings show a strong preference for either instant access to chemical information through a QR code or direct access to information printed directly on a product label. Interestingly, the choice of QR code is preferred over printed product labels. At the same time, information provided in the standard 45-day waiting period is no more preferred than no information at all. Meaningfully, consumers in all contexts are willing to pay a premium for rapid access to information for new and recycled options, but there is uncertainty regarding used options. Our results also show that up to 9 % of the respondents choose according to an elimination-by-aspects strategy, meaning they will avoid purchasing clothes without access to information about chemical content. The results strengthen the need for higher transparency and better exchange of information along textile value chains, however they also emphasize the already high uncertainty faced by circular economy enterprises. This research has been financially supported by the Swedish Council for Sustainable Development (FORMAS), grant agreement number 2021-00446</p
Enhanced Aromatic Yield from WEEE via Ex Situ Catalytic Pyrolysis : A Comparative Study of HZSM-5, Fe/HZSM-5, and CaO Catalysts in Single and Dual Modes
No full textThis study investigated an efficient catalyst configuration to enhance the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) fractions into aromatic hydrocarbons. Two engineered WEEE fractions, low-grade (LGEW) and medium-grade (MGEW), were used as feedstock in an ex situ catalytic pyrolysis process conducted in a two-stage lab-scale reactor. The first stage involved a batch pyrolyzer, followed by a fixed-bed catalytic reactor. The interaction between catalyst active sites and pyrolysis vapors played a key role in determining the chemical functionality of the surface intermediates. Five catalytic modes were tested: CaO, HZSM-5, Fe/HZSM-5, and a combination of CaO and HZSM-5 in mixed and separate bed configurations, with a catalyst-to-feedstock ratio of 0.15 w/w. The iron-loaded zeolite favored gas production, while CaO effectively converted acids into ketones. The dual-catalyst mixed bed of CaO and HZSM-5 exhibited the best catalytic synergy, enhancing the production of aromatic hydrocarbons and decarbonizing the process. However, metal doping increased catalyst coke formation due to more Lewis acid sites and the production of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Overall, this study provides a comparative analysis of catalyst activity during the thermochemical conversion of WEEE.The authors express their gratitude to the Swedish EnergyAgency (Energimyndigheten) for financial support (projectnumber 51219−1).</p
Exploring industry stakeholder perspectives on a clinical testbed for evaluating the handling of protein drugs in hospitals
No full textProtein drugs, such as therapeutic antibodies, are complex and require careful handling to maintain their efficacy and quality. Stress factors in hospitals, like temperature variations and mechanical shocks during transport, may negatively impact the stability of protein drugs (e.g. various monoclonal antibodies). The pharmaceutical industry possesses extensive knowledge about their product formulations but often the transfer of knowledge from lab studies into in-hospital handling procedures is challenging. To address this gap and find a way to bridge academia, healthcare, and industry, seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts from pharmaceutical companies across five countries. This study aimed to explore the opinions of formulation experts regarding stress evaluation in clinical settings. Thematic analysis of the interviews revealed four key themes: The human factor in clinical sites, clinical sites as data providers, potential complexities in conducting tests within a clinical setting, and challenges associated with product-specific methods, equipment and devices. This study also suggests tools for setting up clinical test beds that can help the pharmaceutical industry improve stress evaluation and understand clinical product handling. Direct collaboration with clinical sites is crucial, as experts perceive improved evaluation methods and education to be necessary for ensuring safe medicines for patients.This work has received support from the EU/EFPIA Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking (RealHOPE grant n°101007939).</p