Sustainability strategy is about identifying a roadmap for the company's transition towards a sustainable business.

Sustainability strategy is about identifying the company's main sustainability challenges and how these should be solved. A strategy should help the company to prioritize and act transparently, by describing which issues and aspects are most relevant, what role and main path the company should take to solve its challenges. The strategy becomes credible when the company shows progress towards measurable goals where sustainability is integrated into the entire business and customer offering.

RISE helps you develop or renew the sustainability strategy by guiding you through one or more parts.

1. Current situation: We orient you in sustainability. We identify your possible challenges, current situation and desired situation, prioritize among challenge and sustainability aspects.

2. Vision and future business: Based on current operations, we identify possible opportunities for how sustainability can strengthen your business, identify relevant long-term goals and how they can be realized and co-create on possible solutions and visualize opportunities in a roadmap towards 2030 (backcasting & roadmap)

3. Development of sustainability work: We orient you in goals, measurement and reporting as well as orientation how the company can strengthen its internal and external communication of progress and goals in sustainability work.

4. Focus area: We immerse ourselves in an area relevant to the company, such as climate impact, resource efficiency or circularity. With RISE experts and expertise, we help you develop a plan for the chosen area through everything from coaching to analyzes of various kinds. The specialization aims at preparation for reporting and in-depth ability to control.

Our coaches can guide you through analyzes such as environmental value flow analysis or Circular mapping. Alternatively, you use one of RISE's experts for a deeper independent sustainability analysis.

The strategy facilitates the integration of sustainability into the business, governance, reporting and  communication.

Rigging for impact is a methodological support for organizations that want to develop their ability to work with needs analysis, group development, theory of change, evaluation and continuous learning, with the ambition of creating a learning organization.

Good intentions and commitment are often not lacking in social work. However, much of the work is carried out in a system characterized by short-termism and silos, where specific tasks for various actors entail a risk that root causes and needs disappear among goal formulations and control models. We risk doing what we've always done, or doing new things just for the sake of doing new things. We are used to formulating goals and slogans, but less used to justifying why we are going there, how and knowing if we are moving in the right direction. With Rigging for Impact, RISE aims to help adress these challenges.

Solution

Social and Health Impact Center (SHIC) supports public sector and third sector actors in using Theory of Change framework to work needs- and outcome-focused and create manageable systems for evaluation and learning. The organization's capacity to prioritize interventions based on needs and own abilities is strengthened by training in the different aspects of Theory of Change.

Rigging for Impact is primarily a method support organized around different modules that introduce each part with film clips, presentation material and exercises and are freely available to use. The structure is also used as a starting point for designing more in-depth development collaborations where SHIC supports organizations based on specific needs and conditions, and facilitates learning.

Rigging for Impact consists of four modules:

1. Theory of Change. SHIC supports organizations to establish Theory of Change frameworks through various workshops adapted to the specific organization. The workshops increase the understanding of the different ways of using the framework, and has a starting point in the organizations specific needs.
2. Needs analysis. Needs analysis can, and should, take place at different levels – individual, organizational and societal level – regardless of the area one's ambition is to map. The levels interact to varying degrees with each other. SHIC uses various quantitative and qualitative methods to map and analyze needs, such as in-depth interviews, focus groups, surveys and Rasch analyses. We investigate and support organizations in mapping their organizational capacity for change.
3. Cooperation and group development. SHIC working methods are based on research in behavioral science, change management and principles for well-functioning groups in order to develop work routines that promote outcome-focused working methods together with operational groups and collaborative constellations.
4. Measurements and evaluation. Social and Health Impact Center (SHIC) specializes, as the name suggests, in measuring social and health impacts. This means that with the help of Theory of Change framework and measurement technical expertise, we can partly be a support in designing indicators and evaluation systems that are relevant and create maximum learning, partly we can create and quality-assure both quantitative and qualitative measures.

The organization develops its ability to work with needs analysis, group development, Theory of Change, evaluation and continuous learning, creating better conditions for a learning organization.

The anisotropic properties of composites create challenges in manufacturing when dimensional accuracy and mechanical properties are critical. Simulations are used for optimization of process concepts and to minimize time for tool try-out at the start of production.

At RISE, material models and simulation methods are developed to support process simulation of complex products.

Simulation of manufacturing processes is performed to predict the component's mechanical properties and predict the product's shape, which is used for tool compensation before the product is manufactured. Virtual manufacturing minimizes the need for full-scale tests, process tuning at start-up and costly changes in the process concept.

Different numerical or analytical methods are used depending on which manufacturing process is to be simulated. In forming simulation of pre-impregnated continuous fiber (prepreg), commercial finite element (FE) programs are used where material models connected to the program are internally developed at RISE. Both FE and CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) based programs are used for forming discontinuous fiber (SMC). Fiber winding, which is a common process today for manufacturing pipes, isolators and pressure vessels, is simulated with an internally developed program (WetWind) or with commercial machine simulation programs. Injection processes such as RTM (Resin Transfer Molding) are simulated with commercial products.

Test period for material models that include temperature dependent properties, degree of cure for thermosets and crystallinity for high performance thermoplastics are available upon request.

As a result from process simulation, the product's mechanical properties, shape and dimension are obtained, which can be used for further tool compensation. The calculated mechanical properties of the product can be used in subsequent functional analysis to increase the accuracy. Tests of material models are provided upon request.

According to agreement

Additive manufacturing opens up completely new opportunities for manufacturing companies in all industries. Maybe you already have ideas about what you want to print? Perhaps you want help with how AM can give your company competitive advantages such as shorter lead times, lower costs and new business opportunities? We can help you!

Additive manufacturing can mean both new innovative opportunities in product development and production as well as efficiency gains and new business opportunities. The Application Center for Additive Manufacturing at RISE can help companies and organizations find the benefit of the technology for their business.

• Maybe you already have ideas and thoughts about products or components your company would like to 3D print, but you don't know how to take the next step?
• Perhaps you are not sure if additive manufacturing is right for your company?
• Perhaps you are curious about what competitive advantages your company could get with AM, such as shorter lead times, lower costs, reduced climate footprint and new business opportunities?

Regardless of how far your company has come and your driving forces, the Application Center for Additive Manufacturing can help you take the next step.

We agree on a time for a visit to your company when we bring people with the right expertise for your business. On site, we go through your company's current state, desired state and discuss what obstacles and challenges there may be.

Together with you and your colleagues, we do a structured evaluation to see what potential your company has to use additive manufacturing, the feasibility studies.

Through a dialogue with our experts, you will get an assessment of the conditions that exist for using additive manufacturing, as well as how AM could provide increased competitiveness.

You get help to start forming a strategy for how the company can use additive manufacturing. In some cases, it may also involve conducting tests or otherwise evaluating the AM technology.

The result from the feasibility studies is our assessment where you receive recommendations for how to take your first / next step in the process towards additive manufacturing. Based on this, different in-depth studies can be made, according to your company's needs.

It is important to choose compatible polymers that can withstand metal salt solutions or strong acids/bases depending on the battery system. We can help in this process by advising and testing polymer compatibility under a range of conditions.

Future battery systems require new combinations of materials and with that come material choices that can optimize efficiency and lifetime.

Literature studies, industrial surveys, and compatibility studies can be performed by us in order to help design the desired battery system with components that provide the best performance over time.

The results are usually delivered to the customer in report form.
 

Sometimes things goes wrong in the production and the products are microbiologically spoiled or even worse pathogens are detected in the products. Then it is important to know how to handle the situation to establish why it occurred, what to do about it and how to prevent it happening again. RISE microbiologists can help you trouble shooting.

Trouble shooting normally starts with identifying the nature of the microbiological problem to get a first clue to where it might  stem from. This also gives an input to in what environment the organism can survive and grow. Sometimes an extensive sampling all along the production line is perfomed including raw materials and product in different stages, as before and after an inactivation step as for example a heat process.

Depending on the cause of the problem some  or all of the steps below might be used in the trouble shooting process.

The work begins with a joint visit to the facility by a microbiologist and a process technician. The visit is made because it is of the utmost importance to understand the problem on the spot in order to understand it.

Samples might be collected, to find the microorganism causing the issue, not only from the raw mateial and produt in different phases but from all factory environment as open surfaces with product contact, in packaging area, air, rinsing water after CIP-process and more . 

Measuring temperatures  and effective time in any inactivation/heat process inside the actual product might also be needed. Based on the data calculations to determine if the inactivation/heat process is enough to kill the microorganism in focus, will be done.

Routines and observance for cleaning and disinfection are also often looked into.

Review of protocoll from microbiological analysis over some time might also be included to understand how the problem have increased over time.

When the cause of the problem has been found measures are taken to prevent it happening again. Corrective actions are suggested  and monitoring and control are looked over. All work are summarised in a written report.

Take advantage of experience of failures in your pipe system. Gain knowledge so that you do not repeat old mistakes and use bad design solutions. In addition, you need to know the status of your pipe system, so you can assess when different parts need to be replaced.

Gain knowledge about the causes of failures in your pipe system. The knowledge is useful to improve the pipe system, find out the status of your pipe system or determine which party caused the failure. A failure investigation is about finding out if the cause is due to poor design solutions, defective components, installation errors, external damage, or age. Failures in pipe systems are often related to joints between pipes and pipe parts but can also be due to that the pipes are worn out. Cast iron pipes are exposed to corrosion and after many years of operation, the material thickness can become very thin locally. Polymers in plastic pipes also age and can degrade after long-term usage.

Knowledge gives you the opportunity to improve your pipe system, by being able to make better choices when parts are to be replaced or the system is to be expanded. By gaining knowledge about the status of the pipe system, you can better plan your maintenance and replace components in time. Often the purpose of a failure investigation can be to clarify the issue of liability. RISE performs independent failure investigations of pipes and fittings made of plastics and metal.

Initially, we compile the information about the failure that the customer has. This concerns how the component had been installed in the pipe system, position of leakage, make, operating conditions, age and any protocols kept during installation. After that an ocular inspection follows and possibly a pressure test if we need to determine the position of the leakage.

Then a specific investigation is initiated related to the type of component and failure. Is there a standard that the component should have met upon delivery? We assess whether the component met current requirements and specifications upon delivery. This often means that we measure the component geometrically and take out test specimens to do destructive testing. When welded joints are investigated, it is often also a question of destructive testing, but analysis of fracture surfaces with a microscope can also be considered.

Conditions and conclusions of our investigation are compiled in a written report.

Long-term competitiveness requires a sustainable ability to continuously develop business and renew offerings. With our innovation management services, we help your company succeed beyond today's business by developing the company and increase your ability to innovate.

Today's and future markets are challenging and it is important to be one step ahead. Being able to develop new sustainable products, services, experiences and processes that the market wants is becoming increasingly important.

With our innovation management services, you are offered coaching to strengthen your ability to create new innovations (eg products and services, but also business models, working methods, organisational models and collaborations) that provide real value for the organisation, existing and new customers including other stakeholders.

Possible results:

• Increased insight into potential customers' needs and problems
• Increased ability to continuously analyse demands and opportunities of internal and external context
• Increase employee engagement
• New internal processes
• More efficient innovation process to develop and launch new sustainable products, services, models and processes, based on insights
• New sustainable business models
• New knowledge, methods and tools to enhance your innovation management capacity
• New partners and collaborations

The company must have a growth ambition, potential for internationalisation and willingness to improve thier innovation management capacity. You should also have:

• A daily functioning business
• At least five employees, but preferably over ten
• Time and interest to act on results

We coach your company seeing innovation in a holistic perspective. It includes: innovation strategy, organisation, leadership, innovation process and innovation results.

First step is to do an innovation assessment. As a result you will receive a report and an action plan proposition as well as coaching during the implementation phase.

First part will be financed by Enterprise Europe Network (financed by EU and the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth).

Report of your innovation management capacity  and possibilty to benchmark results with other companies in the same industry.

Action plan with activities to enhance innovation management capacity.

The process takes approx. 3-6 months.

ISO 56002

Many processes and production environments must be clean and hygienic for the product to be safe and durable. It is also important that process steps and equipment designed to reduce unwanted microorganisms function properly. RISE offers a number of services and tools to improve microbiological safety and dureability.

Microbiological risk assessment combined with mathematical modeling of growth and killing / inactivation at varying physical conditions, for example different temperatures and pH are useful tools in product development or suspicion of microbiological contamination of a manufacturing process.

We carry out assignments concerning disease-causing and spoilage (product-detroying) microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, yeast and mold), as well as antimicrobial resistance. Our practical and theoretical knowledge has been built up through our own research and in close collaboration with industry in applied research and commissioned projects.

The results from risk assessments are useful in, for example, the development of a new product in order to be able to assess whether the production process is safe. Another area of use is when a company wants to identify preventive measures to avoid the spread of disease-causing or spoilage  microorganisms.

RISE performs both theoretical and practical microbiological risk assessments. For the risk assessments that contain experiments, we use RISE well-equipped microbiological laboratories where we have the opportunity to work with disease-causing microorganisms in the projects where there is a need for this. We also have the opportunity to do field experiments at our customer´s production sites to collect data and observations that can form the basis for the risk assessment.

We offer you as a customer to work with us on issues around:

• Troubleshooting of microbiological problems and transmission routes of microorganisms.
• Risk assessment and modeling - theoretical assessment of the conditions for relevant microorganisms for growth, inactivation and / or survival.
• Isolation and identification of microorganisms in a product, ingredients, material or production facility.
• Shelf life test / storage studies of existing products to answer how long the product can be stored.
• Challenge test - bacteria, viruses, yeast and / or mold are added to the product to evaluate whether it is microbiologically safe and shelf-stable.
• Product development - How do the properties of the intended product affect the microbiological quality?
• Production side streams - How can they be made microbiologically safe and stable?
• Hurdle technology - How to combine different factors such as temperature, pH, preservatives, etc. to obtain a safe product with good microbiological quality?
• Advice on preservatives - Which ones are appropriate and what does the legislation say?
• Consulting in environmental monitoring according to FSSC 22000 2.5.7

The results are summarized in a report and presented orally to the customer.

Simulate the outcome from changes in either the raw material or in the drying process itself with DrySim. You save time and money and minimize risks that come with full scale tests.

Wood drying requires the greatest amount of energy at sawmills and high lumber values are at stake. Due to the complexity of the drying process, a small change in process parameters can have great impact on the final result.

With our software, developed over years by combining research and industrial practice, you can simulate the drying process for either batch or progressive kilns in order to improve the drying process in terms of energy, time and quality according to the prerequisites of your facilities. Since the user is free to set the capacity of the simulated kilns, the software is also a valuable tool when planning investments in new drying facilities – if this is still needed after increasing the capacity of the existing kilns.

Simulation with aid of our software Torksim and Torksim LC, developed after years of research and verifications. 

Report according to custumers demand.