Critical Raw Materials
Valorisation of Titanium via Additive Manufacturing:
Leveraging additive manufacturing, this project aims to validate and demonstrate, in military environment, the production of armour components using titanium feedstock derived from scrap. This will enhance military applications but also open avenues for broader usage in other sectors, showcasing the potential for repurposing waste materials into valuable resources.
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Mining Critical Raw Materials from end-of-life military devices:
Embracing a circular economy approach, this project seeks to unlock the latent value in military electronic waste. By recovering CRMs from end-of-life military devices, including printed circuit boards (PCBs) and complex electronic assemblies, this project idea addresses technological challenges in recycling but also logistics and information management intricacies related to handling sensitive military devices.
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CRM Substitution in Coatings:
Responding to environmental and regulatory concerns, this project targets the substitution of hard chrome/chromates coatings in military applications. The objective is to establish a robust testing methodology for CRM-free coatings, offering corrosion and wear protection while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
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Circular Additive Manufacturing
Valorisation of Titanium via Additive Manufacturing:
Leveraging additive manufacturing, this project aims to validate and demonstrate, in military environments, the production of armour components using titanium feedstock derived from scrap. This will enhance military applications but also opens avenues for broader usage in other sectors, showcasing the potential for repurposing waste materials into valuable resources.
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Low-temperature materials, biomaterials and fibres for Additive Manufacturing:
This project seeks to pioneer solutions for additive manufacturing utilising bio-based materials processed at room temperature. The primary goals include achieving circularity through feedstock derived from renewable sources and reducing energy consumption in the manufacturing process.
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Circular deployable Additive Manufacturing:
Focused on enhancing on-site manufacturing capabilities, this project aims to address repair, circularity of materials, and overall mission self-sufficiency. The holistic approach comprises six capability modules: engineering, processing technology, postprocessing, verification, energy supply, and material recycling. By managing materials and parts in a circular manner, this initiative supports improved operational readiness of military assets.
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Circular Materials for Textiles
Military (Smart) Textile Waste Recycling and Valorisation:
This project strives for a comprehensive conversion of military textile waste, transforming it into novel military textile-based materials. The focus lies on establishing technical processes for the direct recycling of collected residues into new yarns, optimising the extraction of natural components, creating innovative composites, biocomposites, and non-woven textile structures. Concurrently, the project conducts Life Cycle Assessments and sets forth new guidelines for ecodesign within the military sector.
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Recycling / Re-use / recovery of high value fibers from soldier personal protective equipment:
This project aims to explore the recycling, reusing, and recovering of high-performance fiber materials and other valuable components from Soldier Personal Protective Equipment. It encompasses the assessment of materials during various stages of production and testing, fostering greater circularity of utilised materials and substantial waste reduction. Insights gained from these processes can be applied and transferred to armour applications beyond body armour, as well as to diverse military and civilian applications employing high-performance fibers.
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Development of a smart modular protective clothing system for military applications using safe-and-sustainable by design principles:
Within the defence sector, this project idea aims to create smart textiles with new materials. The goal is to develop a smart modular protective clothing system for military applications, incorporating "Safe-and-Sustainable by Design" principles. Anticipated outcomes encompass the creation of new textile structures with biosurfactants and colorants, a smart textile substrate for chemical detection, antimicrobial properties, and the production of a demonstrator.
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Sustainable Ecodesign
Guidelines for environmental evaluation in defence applications
Despite efforts by academics and industry to determine the footprint and handprint of defence activities and/or products, there is no commonly agreed method for assessing impacts, highlighting the benefits of circularity and avoiding undesirable side effects. It is therefore necessary to build a consensus on how to assess the environmental impacts. The objective of the project idea is to establish guidelines for environmental evaluation in defence applications, covering methodologies, tools and data sets.
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Development of a smart modular protective clothing system for military applications using safe-and-sustainable by design principles:
Within the defence sector, this project idea aims to create smart textiles with new materials. The goal is to develop a smart modular protective clothing system for military applications, incorporating "Safe-and-Sustainable by Design" principles. Anticipated outcomes encompass the creation of new textile structures with biosurfactants and colorants, a smart textile substrate for chemical detection, antimicrobial properties, and the production of a demonstrator.
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EMAS Uptake Strategy
EMAS Certification Uptake at experimental test ranges
The EMAS Certification Uptake Project idea is designed to expedite the adoption of an environmental audit system within military experimental test ranges. Its primary objective is the creation of a comprehensive tool and personalised coaching sessions to facilitate a reduction in the environmental impact of the defence sector. Simultaneously, the project aims to establish itself as a benchmark for armed forces throughout Europe, streamlining the certification process and minimising both internal and external costs.
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Development of EMAS Training Modules
The development of EMAS training modules is an additional way to speed up the integration of an environmental audit system within the military context. The project's goal is to craft tailored training materials catering to diverse audiences involved in decision-making and implementing EMAS in military operations. This initiative aims to raise awareness and expertise levels, targeting academy cadets and newly employed personnel, as well as experienced individuals with or without prior knowledge in energy and/or environmental management. The overarching objective is to enhance understanding and proficiency in EMAS practices within the military sector.
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Green Procurement
Defence Green Procurement Training
This project idea recognises the imperative to enhance knowledge, awareness, and skills in green procurement within the defense sector through targeted training activities. Acknowledging the diverse range of stakeholders involved in Green Procurement (GP), the project advocates for the development and implementation of three distinct courses tailored to the unique needs of the Defence sector. Recognising that a one-size-fits-all approach may not effectively catalyse change across defence organisations, this initiative aims to develop separate courses to address the varied aspects of Green Procurement.
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Green Procurement Knowledge Platform
This project idea outlines the creation of a comprehensive knowledge platform focusing on circular and green procurement within the defence sector. Positioned as a centralised resource, this platform aims to be a go-to destination for defence procurement authorities, providing easy access to a wealth of information related to green and circular criteria. It encompasses Green Public Procurement (GPP) criteria, labels, standards, case studies, defence-specific examples, and details on applicable environmental management systems.
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Circular Data
Digital Product Passport (DPP) for Armour Inserts:
The typical lifetime of an armour insert is about 5 to 10 years. Currently, due to safety and security reasons, the only option at the presumed end of life is disposal. Digitalisation could lead to more circular management of soldiers’ protective equipment. Even if an armour insert is designed to be disassembled and/or manufactured based on recyclable materials, it can only be used if authorised parties have access to the product composition. The objective is to develop and test a DPP prototype for armour inserts, including relevant technologies for product identification and a Proof of Concept of the IT architecture.
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Spare Parts Management
Circular management of Spare Parts from decommissioned assets
The project idea revolves around establishing a robust and systematic approach, both legally and technically, for the circular management of spare parts derived from decommissioned assets. The primary objective is to build a comprehensive strategy that ensures the retention of maximum value for these parts and materials. Additionally, the project envisions the creation of a dedicated marketplace specifically tailored for the exchange and utilisation of spare parts across member states.
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