Digital transformation of the rubber industry: innovation network DigitRubber

The digitalization and automation of processes are relevant not only for large companies but also for small and medium-sized enterprises. These developments are playing an increasingly important role in the rubber industry to meet current and future requirements for a resource-conscious circular economy by specifying the CO2 footprint or creating standardized product passports.

Implementing artificial intelligence and networked photometric measurement technology in the rubber industry can significantly reduce costs, raw material consumption, and production time. This is achieved by detecting faulty batches early during quality inspection and returning them to the production cycle more quickly, making the process more efficient and cost-effective.

Development of an innovation network

In the next step, a ZIM innovation network will be successively established with the help of innos as the network management facility. The network will build on the findings of the "DigitRubber" project, with the network partners developing these findings into prototypes and, once the R&D phase is complete, into marketable products. Therefore, interfaces are being created between research and the processing industry to bring together expertise. As part of the Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM) of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, "DigitRubber" is aimed at small and medium-sized companies in the fields of rubber, plastics, digitalization and measurement technology.

You can find further information in the press release at this link.

Are you interested in participating in this network with your company or institution based in one of the areas mentioned?

If so, Dr. Andreas Baar will be happy to answer your questions and show you how you can participate.

Reach out to him via e-mail.

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