A2A Challenge: Food Glass Jar Waste Depackaging Systems

ABSTRACT

The company LINEA AMBIENTE Srl, belonging to the LGH Spa group and active in the waste recovery, treatment and disposal sector, is the owner and operator of a mechanical treatment and recovery plant for urban, special, hazardous and non-hazardous waste. As part of its development initiatives, Linea Ambiente intends to enhance the production capacity of its plant by introducing an innovative and highly automated treatment line for the recovery of packaged agri-food waste. To this end, Linea Ambiente intends to purchase or develop a system for the treatment of glass waste containing agro-food waste.

This is an electronic Request-for-Partners (eRFP) Challenge; the Solver will only need to submit a written proposal to be evaluated by the Seeker with the goal of establishing a collaborative partnership.

 

OVERVIEW

The purpose of the new treatment line will be to manage batches of packaged agri-food waste that can no longer be sold (e.g. expired products, etc.). The system should separate the organic content from the containers to obtain materials suitable for recycling.

To this end, Linea Ambiente intends to purchase or develop a machine for the treatment of glass waste containing agro-food waste. The machine should automatically manage the loading of individual containers, the opening, the emptying of the contents and the final discharge into dedicated containers.

This is an electronic Request-for-Partners (eRFP) Challenge. The Solver will write a preliminary proposal (about 2-4 pages, including supporting non-confidential information and contact details) to be evaluated by the Seeker with a goal of establishing a collaborative partnership. Upon completion of the evaluation, the Seeker may contact selected Solvers directly to work out terms for a collaboration contract. The monetary value of the contract will vary depending on the amount of work to be delivered and the agreed upon time frame.

NOTE: Proposals from Solvers who have the ability to work directly as the collaboration partner or supplier will be considered first. The Seeker will also consider proposals from other Solvers who refer a suitable candidate as a partner for a finder’s fee of $1,000 USD if convinced the candidate is worth contacting. See full description for details.

Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time) on 28-Jul-2021.
Late submissions will not be considered.

ABOUT THE SEEKER

Linea Group Holding (LGH) is a multiutility (A2A group) that operates in the territories of Cremona, Pavia, Lodi, Rovato (BS), Crema and other parts of Italy. LGH deals with: sale and distribution of gas, production and distribution of electricity, district heating, environment (waste); holds 13% of the A2A Smart City company active in the IT and smart cities sector. The structure serves about 1 million inhabitants in about 200 municipalities in southern Lombardy through various plants, such as the Lomellina and Cremona waste-to-energy plants, hydroelectric power plants (BS), cogeneration plants (CR), (LO).

Some figures on LGH:

• Waste management capacity of approximately 950,000 tons per year;
• 444 GWh of sales and production of 369 GWh largely from alternative sources such as hydroelectricity, waste-to-energy, district heating and some biomass plants;
• Handling of 593 million cubic meters of gas and heat sales of 246 GWh.

 

What is InnoCentive?

InnoCentive is the global innovation marketplace where creative minds solve some of the world's most important problems for cash awards up to $1 million. Commercial, governmental and humanitarian organizations engage with InnoCentive to solve problems that can impact humankind in areas ranging from the environment to medical advancements.

What is an eRFP Challenge?

An InnoCentive eRFP Challenge allows Seekers to submit Requests for Proposals for a partner or supplier to provide materials or expertise to solve a business challenge by leveraging the InnoCentive Solver network. This global community includes organizations and individuals, such as contract research organizations, scientists, university researchers, and technology companies.

After a Solver submits an eRFP response, the Seeker evaluates the responses to determine which Solver(s) to contact for further business discussions. With eRFPs, the Solver must not provide any confidential information in the eRFP response. If your eRFP response is selected, you negotiate the terms of the contract (including scope of work, tasks and duration) directly with the Seeker.

This Challenge type does not require Intellectual Property (IP) transfer. However, sometimes Seekers request that certain IP arrangements be made should a partnership be formed.