Novel sustainable industrial processes: from idea to commercial scale implementation

Abstract

Abstract This article summarizes the consensus on sustainable development, shows industrial cases and provides key guidelines to transfer ideas into commercial scale processes. The triple P sustainable development concept has reached global industrial consensus and has gained importance in the making of business policies and practical implementations. Obtaining a sustainable process means then that it provides a need, is socially accepted, does no environmental harm and makes a profit. Industrial cases show that this is possible. An innovative way of obtaining sustainable solutions is by industrial symbiosis, in which very different partners such as a local government, a technology provider, a water board and a chemical company co-operate with regards to a new solution; turning a waste stream into a feed stream. Open innovation is generally a good way to obtain radical novel solutions cost-effectively. Guidelines for entering open innovation projects are provided. A technology readiness level (TRL) assessment method for process innovation with academic groups is also provided. Guidelines for effective and efficient innovation from research to commercial scale implementation, based on stage-gate innovation pathway funnel, are provided. Finally, a novel method for process concept design based on essential functions and essential inputs and outputs only, is provided.