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Articles and blog posts on production and manufacturing

How are other companies succeeding in their transitions? Read about practical examples, new research and insights from RISE's work with the manufacturing industry for inspiration for your own journey towards sustainable production. Find inspiration for your own journey towards sustainable production.

Articles

Article

Swedish industrial companies could halve their energy consumption – new technology leads the way

Sweden is now stepping up to compete with the rest of Europe in the use of industrial heat pumps. A new initiative aims to help companies reduce electricity consumption while lowering their climate footprint – with the potential to save terawatt-hours annually.
Article / Security of supply

How do you prepare for a crisis?

In the event of a major crisis – or, ultimately, war – much of society would feel the consequences, not least the manufacturing industry. Yet how does one prepare for a scenario that is, in many respects, uncertain? "The most important thing is to have thought it through," says Emma Mattisson, Proj…
Article / Circular transition

UBD Cleantech strengthens remanufacturing with a strategic roadmap

How can remanufacturing become a viable business model? A key starting point is to develop clear strategies and roadmaps that map the journey from the current state to circular product life cycles. By working with a roadmap, UBD Cleantech gained fresh perspectives and a tool that simplifies concret…
Article / Advanced electronics

RISE helped Polar Light Technologies achieve unique red microLED light

Polar Light Technologies (PLT) has revolutionized the manufacturing of pyramid-shaped microLEDs through a new bottom-up method. This method enables controlled crystal growth atom layer by atom layer, which has eliminated the destructive etching used in today's top-down methods. This has resulted in…
Article

Produktionslyftet continues to equip Swedish industry for the future

Launched in response to industry's need for increased competitiveness, the challenges of the future have become more numerous and complex. The development programme led by RISE is more relevant than ever.
Article

From Thesis Student to Research and Development Engineer

When Emil Hed did his thesis project at RISE, he did not know that it would be the start of an exciting career in research and development. But when a job opening came up that matched the content of his thesis, he took the chance – and got the job.
Article / Concrete and cement

“Reuse must become the norm in the construction industry”

The construction sector has a lot to gain from reclaiming materials - especially load-bearing structures such as concrete frames, which often have a long lifespan after demolition. Despite the great climate potential, development is being slowed by unclear rules and uncertainty about quality. To sp…
Article / Metrology

Metrology for Billions of Life-Saving Tablets

AstraZeneca in Södertälje is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturers. Each year, nearly 12 billion tablets and capsules are produced here, along with significant quantities of inhalers, granules, powders, ampoules, vials, and syringes. The production accounts for approximately five …
Article / Fiber optics and photonics

Fibre optics enable important digitalisation steps for Hitachi Energy

Thin glass wires are helping Hitachi Energy make production in Ludvika more data-driven, with the aim of sharpening its products. "Fibre optics can give us much more information than traditional sensors," says Christos Athanasopoulos, chief engineer at Hitachi Energy in Sweden.
Article / Biorefinery

First in the world with sustainable production of carbon black

The tyres on our cars and the ink in our office printers contain carbon black, a chemical manufactured with a significant climate impact. Researchers at RISE were the first in the world to develop a special method of producing black carbon powder that is more environmentally friendly.
Article / Maritime

Shipping: New technology and optimal design reduce energy usage

Stena Line’s new concept vessel Stena Futuro can reduce energy usage by 20 percent or more, combining existing technologies such as wing sails and air lubrication. RISE independently assessed the saving potential of the wing sails and helped with a study to confirm that the vessel fulfills certain …
Article / Security of supply

Prepare Sweden will strengthen Swedish security of supply

What happens when the next crisis hits – and who does what? The Prepare Sweden initiative aims to strengthen society's preparedness. The concept: common approaches, clearer responsibilities. And the technical ability to act quickly.
Article / Composites

Fiber Measurements Lead to Better Steel

Increased productivity, more consistent quality, and an improved work environment in the steel plant. These are the results as specialty steel manufacturer Alleima now implements RISE’s research into actual production.
Article / Batteries

Nordic region key to revitalising European battery industry

The energy system of the future is based on batteries. But while other countries and regions have secured the entire chain – from raw material to finished product – Europe has lost momentum and is struggling with failed investments. How can we reverse this trend?
Article / Circular transition

From Strategy to Action: How Husqvarna Construction is Exploring the Potential of Remanufacturing

Giving used products a new life is not only a sustainable solution—it can also make strong business sense. Join Husqvarna Construction on its journey towards a more circular business model. “We see both environmental and economic benefits in reintroducing products to the market,” says Adam Björk…
Article / Biobased materials

Could birch bark be the answer to the challenge of fossil-free rubber?

Does start-up Reselo have the answer to fossil-free rubber? The company's material is already used for shoe soles – and together with a manufacturer it is now being adapted for tyre production, which accounts for 70% of the world's rubber consumption. "The material is made entirely from birch bar…
Article / Biorefinery

"We have a shared responsibility to drive the transition to green chemicals"

The plastics in our children's toys, the synthetic fibres in our clothes and the ingredients in the salve we use to lubricate our hands. The common denominator? The products contain chemicals of fossil origin that need to be phased out. Green chemicals is the key.
Article / Advanced electronics

Breakthrough in microLED development as red light is achieved

In the summer of 2023, Polar Light Technologies achieved a highly controlled blue light from microLEDs in the shape of small pyramids for the first time. Just three months later they also managed to achieve green light. With an ambition to produce red light, the most difficult to achieve, before th…
Article / Advanced electronics

Hyundai Mobis and RISE in Power Electronics

Hyundai Mobis from South Korea has collaborated over a two-year period on the development of power electronics semiconductors. The collaboration is based at the Electrum Laboratory, part of 'Silicon Carbide Valley'. Mobis has had developers on site in Sweden and worked closely with RISE experts on …
Article / Security of supply

Aiming for better livelihoods in crisis an opportunity in normal times

.Two major global crises in a short space of time. The coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine have highlighted the need for greater food security. This is to ensure that we can all put food on the table even when global transport chains are disrupted. And striving for greater self-sufficiency …
Article / Security of supply

How to ensure access to essential products in a crisis

We have become accustomed to getting what we need on time, whether it comes from Sweden or not. The pandemic, with its closed borders, was therefore a rude awakening. "We must now do everything we can to ensure that everything we need is available in Sweden, even in the event of a crisis. We need…
Article / Materials and durability

Great opportunities with recycled aluminium

At a time when resources are increasingly limited and the need to reduce waste, emissions and energy consumption is more urgent than ever, the aluminium industry is facing major challenges. The energy required to produce one tonne of aluminium from bauxite ore is equivalent to the annual consumptio…
Article / Biobased materials

How bio-based foam can replace plastic

Plastic can be highly damaging to the environment thus replacing it with entirely new bio-based materials could be one solution to reducing environmental impact. In the future, fibre-based foam could be used in everything from packaging and furniture to cars and houses.
Article

Data analysis helps Volvo Cars understand the benefits of production testing

How do you ensure that every step in the production of a high-volume product is really beneficial? Volvo Cars analysed data from the production of 120,000 cars. The result: an entire complicated step was eliminated – while at the same time identifying possible improvements in the production line.
Article / Batteries

How Sweden can become a leading battery nation

Batteries are essential for the transition to a fossil-free society. They are already used in millions of consumer products, but also for various industrial applications - and demand is expected to increase. Sweden is well placed to become a leading battery nation. "But to do so, we need a comm…
Article / EMC

AutoStore tests everything to ensure safety

Is it possible to test your product reliably when it is so unique that no standard has been developed that can be applied? The Norwegian company AutoStore found the answer to this question in Sweden.
Article / Fossil-free fuels

Residues become fuels - now it's time for the next step

The next generation oil company. That's how Votion Biorefineries in Sundsvall describes itself. The company has developed a method for converting waste products into biofuels and biochemicals. The process has now been thoroughly tested and it is time to scale up operations.
Article / Metrology

Good Measurements: The Foundation of Business Competitiveness

The quality and price of products, business models, collaborations, value chain management, and automation – many factors determine a company's competitiveness. However, the foundation of it all is often overlooked: good measurements.
Article / Security of supply

More flexible companies with increased supply preparedness

Sweden's security of supply is back in the spotlight. This means that more and more companies need to review their robustness and resilience. "Preparing your organization will make you more innovative, more flexible and better able to deal with unexpected events," says Elenor Bernelow Loyd of RIS…
Article

How to make your maintenance organisation part of your business strategy

Technological developments are opening up new opportunities for industry to optimise its production assets. Now it is time for maintenance organisations to follow suit. - To take the next step, technology and organisation must evolve in parallel. It's not enough to install sensors and collect data…
Article / Batteries

Battery Industry Insights: New Report Highlights Gaps and Needs

Over the past year, RISE, in collaboration with Uppsala universitet, Chalmers tekniska högskola and Blue Institute, as part of the SweBIC project, has investigated the feasibility of establishing a national technological infrastructure for battery cell and material production, with the goal of supp…
Article / Composites

Beyond Gravity: Tests on Earth for success in space

Sweden's largest aerospace company supplies global giants and makes sure their satellites get into the right orbit. To get there, Beyond Gravity has carried out many material tests in extreme temperatures.
Article / Electromobility

New solutions for a sustainable automotive industry

Vehicles can be made much more sustainable than they are today. This was concluded by project SVIS, which wrapped up this autumn. Within the project, RISE and partners explored the potential for recycling and reusing vehicle interiors, generating circular solutions that could shape the future of th…
Article / Advanced electronics

The Science behind

At RISE, we have been working for over 20 years on research concerning silicon carbide and other WBG materials. We have two large laboratories to support this work. Our researchers possess deep expertise in the field, and you can read our publications and collaborate with us on applied development …
Article / Plastics

“I believe we've reached a point where large-scale collaboration is essential”

By 2030, IKEA intends for all the plastic used in their products to be recycled or renewable. With the hope of developing new sustainable solutions through cross-border collaboration along the entire value chain, IKEA has entered into partnership with the National Center for Sustainable Plastics at…
Article / Electromobility

How Europe's car industry can become a competitive winner

Last year, one million Chinese-made electric cars were sold in Europe. Chinese car manufacturers have an overproduction of electric cars and are therefore filling all available carriers to sell them in Europe at a higher price than in China. With new carriers being built, competition is intensifyin…
Article / Wood technology

New construction products from industrial wood waste and recycled wood

Another step is being taken towards a net-zero emissions future. High-value new construction products made from recycled wood and industrial wood waste residues are being developed. Alternative circular processes are being studied for both new building materials and composite building elements in a…
Article / Wood technology

The future of CLT

More forest raw materials will be needed in the future. Increased resource efficiency with regard to the use of raw materials is therefore necessary. There are two ways to go for construction with cross-laminated timber (CLT), to produce CLT panels by maximising the efficiency of current processes …
Article / Wood technology

Increasingly tall timber buildings

Interest in building with timber is growing and players in the construction industry are choosing to distinguish themselves by taking on the challenge of building really high with timber, up to and above 20 floors. The challenge drives development and advances timber construction. In a series of pr…
Article / Wind power

Wind turbine towers of the future is developed from wood

In Skara, the world's tallest wooden wind turbine tower is currently being erected. Modvion is building the unique wooden structure that reaches a height of 105 metres. Why do you want to replace the commonly used steel with wood?
Article / Wood technology

The future of design - reusing wooden houses in a circular economy

What will the future of construction look like? How can the currently linear value chain for housing construction become circular? Can industrially produced wooden houses be the answer and contribute to a shift towards a more circular construction sector with increased reuse?
Article / Wood technology

Attractive climate-smart renovation with wooden facade

An industrially manufactured innovative facade system for sustainable renovation for the ROT sector is under development. The goal is a system that is easy for architects to use through a digitized design process in the design and planning process and attractive to different properties' design and …
Article / Wood technology

Beyond spruce and pine - 'new' wood species in sawmills

limate change, biodiversity requirements and ecosystem conservation raise questions about the future. What types of wood will we have access to in the future? RISE has examined the potential of our third most common tree species, birch, and our third coniferous species, contorta pine, as structural…
Article / Physical protection and safety

Can wooden huts replace tents in crisis areas?

How can housing in crisis areas, where infrastructure and buildings are lacking, be created with more sustainable solutions than the tents and reinforced tents often used today? Can concepts of blocks of wooden cabins be developed based on prefabricated small blocks with wooden frames?
Article / Metrology

Towards digital and machine-readable calibration certificates

Digital and machine-readable calibration certificates create new opportunities for the industry of the future.
Article / Advanced electronics

A revolution in blue light at the micro level

In the summer of 2023, a highly controlled blue light from Polar Light Technologies' microLEDs in the shape of small pyramids appeared for the first time. The breakthrough could mean a revolution in the global display market, which is about to undergo a transformation – both in terms of technology …
Article / Pulp and paper

Doubling down on sustainability as Stora Enso explores corrugated board

Corrugated board is the world's most widely used transport packaging. But it is not without its challenges. Its production requires a lot of wood fibre and the finished packaging can be damaged by moisture and pressure. Stora Enso launched a research project to improve the sustainability of corruga…
Article / Metrology

Challenging to measure surface temperature

Measuring the temperature of a material's surface is not optimal. Despite that, the need for surface temperature measurements is great in many industries. Patrik Broberg, researcher at RISE, works to ensure that the measurements are as good and reliable as possible.
Article / Circular transition

Furniture company EFG succeeded in instituting a circular business model

How can we combine circularity with a sustainable business model? This was a question that Andreas Mattisson of furniture company EFG had given a great deal of thought to. It was only after chancing on a lecture on future adaptive design by Thomas Nyström of RISE that the pieces began to fall into …
Article / Concrete and cement

How we can build new from old

Municipalities are attempting to achieve ambitious climate goals, but must also meet the increasing need for new housing and premises. The construction sector wants to become part of a circular economy – but must first and foremost comply with strict building codes and material requirements. These …
Article / Batteries

Batteries of the future comes from residual products from the forest

Increased use of batteries is crucial for electrification, but the metals they contain also pose problems: difficult to obtain, often found in conflict zones – and ultimately difficult to break down. Swedish company Ligna Energy solves the entire problem by manufacturing batteries from completely n…
Article / Batteries

Safe and eco-friendly battery tests

RISE’s new test facility in Borås will affirm Sweden’s position as a leader in vehicle safety. This is where the batteries of the future will be shocked, shaken and pushed to extreme temperatures in a controlled environment. “The safety lab is due to be inaugurated in the second half of 2023 and w…
Article / Risk and security

Technical innovation reduces vibration injuries

Securing mountain slopes to prevent rockslides involves many risks. One of them is vibrations from the drills causing permanent injury. Now, however, there are new technical solutions able to significantly reduce the risk of vibration injuries.  “The risk of hand injuries is greatly reduced c…
Article / Food

How Hooked Foods created vegan salmon

They want to save the oceans with vegan seafood. However, when the Swedish company Hooked Foods AB decided to develop a salmon-like product, they ran into problems. That was until they turned to RISE for their equipment, expert knowledge and independent advice. 
Article / Electromobility

World-unique test facilities will accelerate electrification

A unique opportunity to develop new electromobility products and services has opened up. In September 2023, three new test centers for electric vehicles and components were inaugurated within the initiative SEEL, Swedish Electric Transport Laboratory. The goal is clear: The testbed is to comprise o…
Article / Batteries

Sweden requires extensive investments for a leading position in battery production

Access to fossil-free electricity. Industrial expertise. A clear strategy. Moving forwards, Sweden is well equipped to become a leading European battery nation. According to experts at RISE, we now need more testbeds, faster mining permit processes and easier routes to investment in the battery val…
Article / Metrology

Fast and correct measurements are difficult

Measuring is about acquiring a basis for decisions. But how can we know that our measurements can be trusted? When it comes to rapid changes and dynamic events, it can be difficult.
Article / Metrology

Are you certain on the measurement uncertainty?

A central concept in metrology is measurement uncertainty, which is not about being unsure, but about being very sure of what you do and do not know.
Article / Metrology

The importance of measuring

How big, how heavy, how long, how small, how...? Measuring is deeply rooted in us humans. We want to know which car is the fastest, who is the longest and who is the strongest. The importance of measuring correctly and equally cannot be underestimated.
Article / Biobased materials

Fast Path from Idea to Industrialisation for PaperShell

Fossil fuel-based plastics, composite materials and aluminium may soon be replaced by a new biomaterial developed by PaperShell in collaboration with RISE. The product is an excellent example of how to quickly take an innovation all the way from idea to industrialisation.
Article / Advanced electronics

Silicon carbide powering the energy revolution

Silicon carbide is a material used to create new types of energy-efficient semiconductors that can save up to 20 percent of the battery time for electric cars. The Swedish startup Ascatron manufactures wafers and components in silicon carbide. In 2020, the semiconductor developer was acquired by th…
Article

Composites a key component for hydrogen-powered aviation

The European aviation industry has the ambition of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. Hydrogen-powered aircraft will play an important role in achieving this, and hydrogen is one of the aviation solutions expected to deliver the greatest climate benefits. At best, up to ninety percent of the avia…
Article / Hydrogen

Increased electrification through new type of bipolar plates

To ensure energy supply while also achieving global climate goals, fossil fuel energy sources must be replaced with renewable energy. One technology for achieving increased electrification of our vehicles is hydrogen and fuel cell technology.
Article / Innovation management

"We are often the first to build things that no one else has built"

At RISE, around 3,000 problem-solvers are tackling some of society’s most pressing challenges. Some of the practical work takes place in RISE’s innovation workshop in Uppsala, where Tomas Reilander and his two colleagues produce 40-50 new innovations a year – everything from small tools to autonomo…
Article / Power production

"RISE offers me the variation I need"

At RISE, more than 3,000 problem-solvers are tackling some of society’s most pressing challenges. One of these people is André Selander, who has been working as an energy technology researcher for six months.
Article / Innovation management

How can healthcare and industry learn about systemic transitioning from each other?

The global pandemic showed just how important it is for a society to be well prepared for rapid change in the event of a crisis. This was particularly evident within healthcare and social care, which continue to face major challenges. Parallel to this, the industrial sector is working on its abilit…
Article / Artificial intelligence

Smarter maintenance using AI

Predictive maintenance ensures that problems do not arise, but it does mean that time and money are spent on things that may not have needed to be fixed yet. With the help of AI, companies can make predictive maintenance more accurate, thereby saving both time and money.
Article / Automotive and future transport

How are subcontractors affected by the sustainability goals of the automotive industry

The automotive industry has ambitious sustainability goals, and these apply throughout the value chain. But what does it really mean for the hundreds of Swedish companies that supply their components?
Article / Plastics

National centre for making the use of plastics sustainable

Googling the Swedish words for “replace plastics” will produce more than 2.6 million hits. Googling in English will get you an incredible 3 billion hits. It's easy to get the impression that the world is in agreement – plastics must be phased out. But at RISE, Anna Wiktorsson is working with both s…
Article

Bioeconomy Arena will make Sweden a world leader in bioeconomy

In June 2022, the first sod was cut for what will become a new pilot hall in Örnsköldsvik for future biorefinery facilities. The hall will be a centre for RISE's biorefinery activities. At LignoCity in Bäckhammar outside Kristinehamn, a plant is being built for the production of odourless lignin. N…
Article / Fossil-free fuels

Improving efficiency will make the forest's resources last longer

The transition to fossil-free makes biomass an extremely sought-after raw material, not least in Sweden. But in order for the forest's renewable carbon atoms to go further, more efficient processes are needed in the forest industry, as well as smarter use of residual forestry products. And better p…
Article / Artificial intelligence

Computer vision – a fast and reliable superpower

With the advancing development of technologies based on artificial intelligence, new areas of use are emerging. Computer vision is one such area. The technology can assist people in several ways, who can instead devote themselves to other tasks, and in some cases the technology is both faster and m…
Article / Food

FINEST— Major investment in sustainable development in the food sector

With stakeholders from the food industry, researchers from RISE, Chalmers and Uppsala University will accelerate the transition to a more sustainable food system in Sweden. FINEST is one of four multi-million investments at the Swedish Center for Food Research and Innovation funded by Formas.
Article / Fossil-free fuels

Combining electrification and biofuel for an effective transition

In order to meet the climate goals, an array of fossil fuel products need to be phased out and replaced with renewable ones. But since the availability of these is limited, it is important to use the resources as intelligently as possible. One way is to use processes where electrification and bioen…
Article / Advanced electronics

The power electronics of the future will aid the green transition

To meet our climate goals, we need to make more efficient use of the energy we have. Part of this will be the development of smarter and more efficient power electronics – the components that convert electrical power into usable forms. Moreover, this is an area in which Swedish industry may have a …
Article / Infection control

More secure laundry using mathematical models

When the covid-19 pandemic struck in the spring of 2020, Electrolux Professional realized that their customers, including those outside the hospital and healthcare segment, had an increased need for laundry and drying products that were guaranteed to disinfect textiles. However, testing the effecti…
Article / Circular transition

Making swedish industry sustainable

With representatives from industry, institutes, academia, and social partners, RISE has developed a Future Plan for Sustainable Production. The aim has been to create a consensus on priority areas in sustainable production and strengthen regional and national initiatives in the production area. The…

Blog posts

Blog post / Circular transition

Remanufacturing – traditional knowledge with new relevance

For a long time, our industry has been built on linear flows – production, use, disposal. Now this way of thinking is being challenged by demands for resource efficiency, climate targets and new technology that makes it possible to recover and reuse existing components. Remanufacturing shows how th…
Blog post

Biological medicines – the medicine of the future is already here

What are biological medicines – and why are they being talked about so much? Gene therapy, mRNA vaccines and Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP) have become increasingly common in news reports and morning television programs in recent years.
Blog post / Textiles

Converting used wool fibres to artificial silk

Textile industry leaves a considerable footprint on our planet. One reason is its linear economy structure, where new raw materials pass through the production and use phases only to end up on ever-growing landfill sites. Technology development for the circular transition is a major focus in our R&…
Blog post / Biobased materials

Foamy research at RISE Örnsköldsvik

RISE part in the Swedish Innovation system comprises, among other things, a vast range of test beds aimed at accelerating the development of new materials and processes. Let's get to know Sara Wallstén and her research which is being transferred from the lab to a brand new pilot scale test bed at M…
Blog post / Service innovation

Product Developers and Designers: Need to Future-proof your Skills?

Can we design products that have the potential to become more profitable for producing companies, and less expensive for customers? We have showed its possible, and few business leaders would say no to that proposition. Join us on January 26 and learn about Future Adaptive Design and how to design …
Blog post / Circular transition

4 Collaborative Ways to Speed up Circular Business Transition

In August this year, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden opened its Circular Business Lab. A key success factor in the lab is how to cluster members to get the most out of their collaborative investment. In this post we will elaborate a bit on how we see the logic in eco-system clusters evolving. We…
Blog post / Electromobility

How can we save the automotive industry?

We are facing a major challenge. The automotive industry is working to transition to increased sustainability. It's about circularity and efficiency, but above all about creating attractive workplaces. Today, there is a shortage of assembly personnel and it will get worse. This week, the book Felko…
Blog post / Textiles

Turning ocean plastics into new textiles by melt spinning

Textiles are the most exciting material one can possibly work with – or so some of us think! Starting from eternally long and super-thin fibres, we can produce fabrics that provide warmth, protection and make us feel good-looking. In addition, textile fibres are used in numerous technical applicati…