In today’s fast-paced, hyper-competitive business environment, innovation is not just a buzzword; it’s a necessity for survival. With challenges becoming too complex for any single organization to tackle alone, companies are increasingly turning to collaboration. Microtec’s Innovation Center will stand as a testament to the power of collaborative innovation, engaging a wide array of partners—from customers and academic researchers to startup entrepreneurs and corporate suppliers.

Spanning a robust 10,000-square-foot facility, the Innovation Center will be equipped with state-of-the-art prototyping labs featuring Turbo Mills, Pin Mills, Jet Mills, Screeners, and Air Classifiers. It will serve as a playground for the co-creation of innovative solutions in targeted technology areas like batteries, lithium slag, and wind turbine blades, among others.

Josef Fischer, the CTO of Microtec Development & Holdings, will oversee the Innovation Center, and has emphasized the focus on cocreation. The process will initiate an in-depth conversation between experts from both Microtec and its partner organizations. Here, the stakeholders will discuss goals, constraints, and unmet needs. A sophisticated AI tool will then scan through Microtec’s extensive product database, recommending possible solutions tailored to the customer’s specific requirements.

In scenarios where current Microtec technologies do not suffice on their own, that’s where the real magic happens. Scientists and engineers from both collaborating entities will work hand-in-hand to develop a new product or technology that not only solves the customer’s problem but also opens up new market opportunities for Microtec.

One shining example of this is the company’s partnership with Lehigh Technologies, a company that was sold to Michelin Tire. By employing Microtec’s Cryogenic Turbo Mills, Lehigh Technologies has been able to recycle reclaimed waste tire rubber into engineered rubber powders. This powerful collaboration has enabled Microtec to advance micronization techniques beyond what was once thought possible.

Microtec’s commitment to collaborative innovation will extend beyond the walls of the Innovation Center too. The company will host ‘Innovation Days’ at customer facilities and hold regular working sessions that will bring together market-facing professionals and R&D teams.

The company will also initiate the Technical, Functional Recovered, Sustainable Raw Materials (TFRSRM) platform. This open innovation approach will invite startups to address specific business challenges. After a rigorous selection process, a few winners will be selected for a long-term partnership, reinforcing Microtec’s broader business ecosystem.

Microtec’s Innovation Center will serve as a model for companies seeking to overcome today’s complex business challenges through collaborative innovation. The diverse partnerships that Microtec has fostered with customers like John Deere, BASF, and ABB, as well as Dutch-based firm Plascoat, show that building a robust innovation ecosystem is not just a trend but imperative for businesses aiming to stay ahead of the curve.

In the end, cocreating with other companies in your business ecosystem can effectively compile the ideas, skills, contacts, and other resources needed to produce powerful innovations, shaping the future of industries and setting new standards for what’s possible.