EXACT - Excellence in advancing for a circular transition

EXACT is a collaboration between two strong research groups at Karlstad University - Pro2BE and DAMI4.0 - eight companies and several industry partners. The purpose of EXACT is to combine knowledge in process engineering and systems analysis with expertise in digitization, to develop energy-efficient digitized production processes and high-quality bio-based products. The vision is to contribute to circular transformation and future-proofing of the Swedish process industry through needs-driven research.

PHD STUDENTS AND PARTICIPATING COMPANIES

Absolent: Eric Matteusson, "My research is about cleaning air from industrial processes. The research focuses on two parts: filtration of carbon dioxide and filtration of oil mist. The purpose of the research on carbon dioxide is to evaluate the feasibility of separating carbon dioxide on an efficient way to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in conjunction with existing filtration of the air. The aim for the research on oil mist is to develop models to be able to design draining filters quicker and more efficient."

Blue ocean closures: Fredrik Andersson, "My research is focused on experimentally determining mechanical properties for the development and calibration of constitutive models of air-laid materials; these models will subsequently be utilized in a finite element analysis (FEA) environment, to simulate production processes involving complex multi-axial states of loading and deformation."                  

LIXEA: Elías García Verstraete                                                              

Nordic Paper: Björn Öman                            

Renewcell: Elise Meurs

Rottneros: Morassa Raouf                             

Stora Enso Skoghall 

Thermia: Manal Rahal, "The primary aim of this project is to develop high-quality and robust machine learning system that operates energy-efficient functions in a heat pump."                                                                          

PARTICIPATING RESEARCHERS

• Karin Granström, professor in Environmental and energy systems, project manager
• Magnus Lestelius, professor in Chemical engineering, manager of focus area Materials
• Roger Renström, associate professor in Environmental and energy systems, assistant project manager, manager of focus area Processes, co-supervisor
• Bestoun S. Ahmed Al-Beywanee, professor in Computer science, Co-leader of focus area Processes, supervisor
• Agne Swerin, professor in Chemical engineering, co-supervisor
• Jörgen Samuelsson, associate professor in Chemistry, supervisor
• Björn Sjöstrand, associate professor in Chemical engineering, supervisor
• Anders Biel, associate professor in material science, supervisor
• Behudin Mesic, associate professor in Chemical engineering, co-supervisor
• Lena Brunzell, doctor in Environmental and energy systems, co-supervisor
• Gunilla Carlsson Kvarnlöf, doctor in Chemistry, co-supervisor
• Helena Håkansson, doctor in Chemical engineering, co-supervisor
• Gunnar Henriksson, guest professor in Chemical engineering, co-supervisor
• Arunselvan Ramaswamy, doctor in Computer science, co-supervisor
• Kamal Rezk, doctor in Environmental and energy systems, co-supervisor
• Miguel Xavier Fernandez, doctor in Chemistry, co-supervisor

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

• Develop an innovative industrial postgraduate program and educational network in bioeconomy, combining aspects of circular economy and smart digitization
• Establish university and industry collaboration and co-production with the help of doctoral projects in bioeconomy, which enables excellence, knowledge transfer and increases the attractiveness of employees for the companies involved
• Support the development of current and new research areas within Pro2BE and DAMI4.0, contribute to scientific development through interdisciplinary research and innovation.

NETWORKS AND RESOURCES

A major advantage for companies participating in industrial research schools is the opportunities for networking, collaboration, exchange of experience and co-production. EXACT is designed to enable this both between the companies and through collaboration with the industry clusters Paper Province and Compare, with the education and innovation center Glava Energy Center, with the collaborative platform Treesearch and with the business research school Resurssmarta Processer. EXACT is also supported by the industry organization Skogsindustrierna.

EXACT has access to regional test beds, which will be useful for prototype development: Circle Lab with 3-D printing in Torsby, Lignocity in Bäckhammar, UMV Coating Systems with pilot coater in Säffle.