The Energy Efficient Mechanical Pulping Initiative (E2MPi) research program announces funding of research projects leading to a substantial reduction of the overall energy consumption in production of mechanical pulp based products.
The overall target is a 50 % reduction of the specific electrical energy required in mechanical pulping processes at maintained or improved functional properties of products based on mechanical or chemimechanical pulp.
Two types of projects will be supported:
- Improved efficiency of existing processes (ca 70 % of total funding)
- Radically new processes based on breakthrough technologies (ca 30 % of total funding)
The total funding plan amounts to 75 MSEK for the period 2011-2015, whereof maximum 30 MSEK and maximum 40 % represent direct funding from the Swedish Energy Agency. The remaining part shall be covered from external sources, monetary or in-kind. Individual projects can obtain other funding combinations depending on project characteristics as described in Appendix 5.
The announcement will be open from January 1st2012 until February 20th 2012 and projects for a maximum of 30 MSEK will be granted. A second announcement is planned for early fall 2012.
Since the program expires December 2015 it is important that projects with extended duration are submitted in these early calls.
Applications should state clearly how the research will contribute to the overall program target and the classification of the project according to the types above.
Examples of topics to be considered are given in the GAP-analysis enclosed as Appendix 7.
Applicants should present monetary or in-kind support for their ideas from potential external/industrial funding partners.
Depending on the proposed project, new partners including also suppliers of services, equipment and additives to the mechanical pulping industry are most welcome.
Applicants and their proposed funding partners are required to sign the project agreement according to Appendix 6 before the project start.
Applications should be outlined according to Appendix 2 and should not exceed 5 pages.
Applications for financial support formatted according to Appendix 2 and according to the requirements in Appendix 4 and 5 shall be sent via e-mail to info@e2mpi.se before February 20th 2012.
Progress reports including economic update should be presented semiannually, March 31st and October 15th to the program director.
Appendix 1: Program definition and background
Appendix 2: Template for project plans
Appendix 3: Beslut och motivation från Energimyndigheten
Appendix 4: Riktlinjer för naturabidrag
Appendix 5: Förordning (2008:761) om statligt stöd till forskning och
utveckling samt innovation inom energiområdet
Appendix 6: Project Agreement
Appendix 7: GAP analysis