Italian construction company seeks innovative laying techniques for sloped surfaces in dams and reservoirs to optimize processes and reduce waste

An Italian building & construction company is active as a general contractor for clients both in the public and private sector. The company has been active in the Italian and international markets for almost 40 years using expertise, technological innovations and self-patented development solutions; they operate in various sectors, e.g.: constructions, infrastructures, hydraulics and water treatment, environment. The company specializes in the waterproofing of dams and reservoirs; in this context, they have patented a new technique of restoration of existing asphalt dams and reservoirs, which consists of the application of modified bitumen and selected aggregates using a machine specially designed and built by the company. This machine is designed to allow the laying of the materials (modified bitumen and agglomerates) on the sloped surfaces of dams and reservoirs, which is a difficult task. The technique works by first arranging the layer of modified bitumen to form a continuous veil and then the agglomerates are applied by gravity using an automatic grit spreader, adhering in turn to the still hot bitumen to create the structural stone skeleton. The Italian company is looking for new machinery, equipment, technologies or methodologies to make this process more efficient in terms of timing and resources used. Solutions for the digitalization of the methodology/process are also sought. The company is interested in collaborating with start-ups or scale-ups, from all over the world, to co-develop proof of concepts, experimental and laboratory projects or pilot projects, under technical cooperation agreement. --- IMPORTANT: This technical cooperation request refers to an open innovation challenges program published on a separate online platform (b2match). If an organization expresses interest before the program closing date, it will be guided towards the open innovation platform. During registration, interested organizations will be asked to select the challenge that corresponds with this technology request profile. If admitted to the programme, start-ups and scale-ups will benefit from training and will be able to create their (presentation) profile to connect with the companies in order to organize 1to1 matchmaking meetings. The company will select the organisations that they would like to meet for the development of the solution. The challenge closes on November the 30th 2021. Once the challenge is closed, expressions of Interest for this technology request will be treated in the traditional way.