Consortium

The Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH) is a university based in Switzerland with a strong focus on application. In addition to teaching, its core competencies include continuing education, research and development and the provision of services. The BFH combines eight departments, 30 bachelor’s degree programmes, 23 master’s degree programmes and numerous continuing education programmes under one roof. The BFH carries out applied research and development either on behalf of clients or carries out independent research that focuses on the needs of the market and the professional environment. The BFH works in close cooperation with commercial enterprises, public institutions, the arts, administrative authorities and society in general. Research and development at BFH are concentrated within around twenty strategic research focus areas which involve all of the BFH departments. At the Department of Engineering and Information Technology applied research takes place in ten institutes and three BFH centers, which cover a broad spectrum of expertise. New technologies and the know-how gained from research and industry products are transferred to scientific research and shared with partners in order to develop new products and processes.

Cabka is the European market leader in reusable transport packaging (RTP) made from recycled plastics. It has more than 35 years of experience in manufacturing recycled plastic solutions that improve the logistics efficiency and sustainability of supply chains. More than 700 people work at eight production sites in Europe and the United States to ensure products are available in more than 80 countries. Cabka products are synonymous with innovation, economic efficiency, and environmental sustainability.

ICPE is a Romanian medium enterprise covering a wide range of innovative concerns in the field of electronic engineering. Since its establishment in 1950 in responce to the country electrification need, the main carried out activities are focused on Research & Development in engineering as a basis for fabrication of new products and professional services. ICPE presents a solid experience in R&D project concerning the field of renewable energy, E-mobility, space but also in industrial automation, robotics, additive manufacturing and Industry 4.0. The main activities regard the production of electric motors/generators, special electric cables for harsh environment and electric apparatuses.

Irish Manufacturing Research Ltd. (IMR) is an agile, independent research technology organisation at the heart of a regional ecosystem of partners, including more than 150 companies. IMR support Irish SMEs and Mid-Caps to demystify, de-risk and deliver emerging technologies for manufacturing under the core thematic areas of digitisation; automation and advanced control; design for manufacturing; and sustainable manufacturing. IMR are experienced in working with industry on their specific challenges and overcoming barriers to engaging in research and development. IMR is is Ireland’s only Regional Manufacturing Digital Innovation Hub, providing a one-stop-shop for industry to access the supports they need to join the next generation of smart manufacturing. IMR cooperate closely with other Innovation Actions transferring innovative solutions into the wider manufacturing community and delivering results, with industry. IMR’s Robotics & Automation team is enabling manufacturing companies to exploit recent advances in robotics in the areas of human robot collaboration, adaptive assembly and agile manufacturing. The team focuses on adapting lower TRL approaches to complex manufacturing challenges in order to present a pre-commercialization prototype to the end users including data, code and reports to facilitate interactions with third party integrators.

MRNEC is a high-tech SME, founded in 2016 and registred in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. MRNEC has 25+ year experience in building distributed artificial intelligence for various application domains. Currently, MRNEC investigates, develops and licences beyond state-of-the art deep (reinforcement) learning services for smart industry, health, logistics and transport, and cultural heritage sector.

EMC2 cluster, created in 2005 and located in the West of France, is the European manufacturing technology cluster. EMC2 leads a network of 400 members, composed of large enterprises, research & technical organisations and more than 200 SMEs. EMC2 gathers all the actors of innovation around key markets and technologies and reinforces the innovation territorial strengths by structuring 5 sectors (equipment goods, energy, aeronautics, shipbuilding and ground transportation) in a common and transversal approach: the manufacturing technologies. EMC2 provides expertise and brings together a community to ensure factories’ future successes; we promote and supports collaborative innovation among SMEs; and integrates digital, human and environmental issues to promote competitiveness. EMC2 fosters emergence and collaborative projects development, provides access to French and European funding schemes, and offers development and technological monitoring on a national and international scale. EMC2 brings its expertise and network to create real development opportunities.

SIGMA Clermont is part of the “Grandes Ecoles” systems of prestigious French higher educational establishments. SIGMA Clermont trains top engineers in different areas of engineering sciences (chemistry, advanced mechanics, industrial engineering, robotics) in a multicultural environment. SIGMA Clermont is an internationally oriented graduate school, driven by research and strongly connected to the world of enterprise. The researchers involved in this project are all members of Institut Pascal, a Research Unit (UMR 6602) created in 2012 and under the supervision of Clermont Auvergne University, the CNRS and Clermont Auvergne INP. The CHU, University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand, is also a partner of the laboratory. Institut Pascal was born from the merging of six laboratories encompassing Engineering and Systems Sciences: Process Engineering, Mechanics, Robotics, and Physics for Information Sciences, Health. Institut Pascal brings together in a single structure over 370 people. The research unit develops knowledge and technologies that contribute to three areas of application: factory of the future, transportation and hospital of the future. Institut Pascal is a member of FACTOLAB, a joint laboratory with MICHELIN. It is owner of the LabEx IMobS3 (laboratory of excellence from the PIA1 French investment program for the future). Institut Pascal is also a member of the CNRS network EquipEx ROBOTEX and of the LabEx GaNeX (PIA1). The laboratory facilities include a cutting-edge technology centre of 3200m2 offering a large panel of equipment for high-speed machining, robotics, vibratory analysis, tests, measurements, characterisation, design and manufacturing.

SteriPack Ireland is the partner-of-choice for the world’s medical device and allied healthcare industries. SteriPack offer contract manufacturing services for a complete supply chain solution, from initial concept to finished product. For over 20 years, SteriPack has solved some of the most complex challenges while meeting the most challenging requirements. SteriPack have the know-how and drive to make our medical device technology succeed. The proof is in the partnerships SteriPack have built with the world’s largest healthcare companies. SteriPack plant in Mullingar was established in 2017 and focuses on contract engineering and manufacturing services. The facility operates in 9,500 sqm in size plant with dedicated clean-rooms areas, dedicated research and development spaces and pilot production lines.