Sandvik’s Open Innovation portal invites individual inventors, small businesses and listed companies to propose innovative solutions to specific challenges (illustration: Sandvik)

With needs growing exponentially along with population, Sandvik believes it’s vital to find smarter, safer ways forward. With the launch of its new Open Innovation portal Sandvik seeks to collaborate with like-minded innovators to deliver the next generation of products and solutions that will make a true difference.

“We’ve lived and breathed materials technology for 150 years – seen a lot of game changers and gathered the highest knowledge in our field. And perhaps the most important thing we’ve learned is that we can’t do it alone,” says Pasi Kangas, Vice President and Head of R&D at Sandvik Materials Technology.

“When we collaborate with other fields, other experts, the possibilities grow exponentially. Imagine what more we can solve by coupling new materials technology with advances in digitalisation and big data, for example. Together, we can make a much bigger difference.”

Sandvik’s Open Innovation portal invites individual inventors, small businesses and listed companies to propose innovative solutions to a number of specific challenges. The company also encourages its own employees to use the portal for releasing creativity and utilising their collective knowledge on customer’s applications and products.

The portal features innovation challenges for which individuals or groups can submit ideas and have the opportunity to discuss, develop and implement them together with Sandvik’s scientists and product developers.

The company believes that current challenges include three key areas which are Smart & Digital – sensor technology, big data capture and integrated system solutions, Unique Product Identifier – turning stainless steel or alloy products into data collectors, information carriers and knowledge providers that can be integrated into information systems. In addition, Cryogenic Drawing – finding applications that need the extra strength available from a revolutionary, patented drawing process for wire products made from titanium or austenitic stainless steels like ASTM 316.

Pasi Kangas adds, “We are optimistic that open innovation will lead to new products and technologies that aren’t otherwise possible. Great ideas really can come from anyone, anywhere. We want to find them and give them every opportunity to make it real – to make a bigger difference – for all our sakes as we look to shape a more sustainable future.”

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