Advantage Environment

Printed Powder Components Reduce Weight

Höganäs AB is the world’s leading metal powder manufacturer. Both recycled scrap metal and iron ore is used as raw material. Metal powder has developed into a high-tech product, often being used to make components for cars and other applications by pressing and sintering (a heat treatment process fusing the material). An average car contains nine kilograms of powder, and Höganäs controls…
Eco-textiles – In fashion

TEKO, the Swedish Textile and Clothing Industries Association, is no stranger to challenge and change. ”We work with environmental issues in many different ways. From being a side issue ten years ago, it is now a key issue for Swedish companies. ” The industry’s ambition to develop new, environmentally efficient textile products has a great potential – not least of which in the domain…
Drones Open New Transportation Routes

The last leg of the distribution chain is one of the most severe polluters in transportation today. Unmanned aerial vehicles might reduce emissions, by providing an alternative route of delivery in urban settings as well as a short-cut to infrastructure for developing regions. Transportation is a sector heavily reliant on fossil fuels, making its carbon dioxide emissions second only to those from…
Innovative shower saves water and energy

A regular shower should only take five minutes. Not counting teenage use, showering can use up to 70 liters of water. Water consumption for personal hygiene is extremely high in Europe averaging 160 liters per person per day. Increased prosperity and urbanization creates significant challenges in terms of water usage and sustainable development. Mehrdad Mahdjoubi, a young entrepreneur, created ‘the…
Anti-skidding with volcanic materials

The use of road salt and other chemicals for de-icing in winter is extensive. In Canada, five million tons are used per year; in the United States 15 million tons and in Sweden, 0.25 million tons are used annually. “Road salt to melt snow and ice causes a number of problems,” says Oscar Lyttbacka, President of Eco Concept Earth. “Groundwater and waterways get polluted, concrete and metal structures…
Wood construction on the rise

Building small wooden houses – churches and homes – is a long-standing tradition in Sweden dating back several hundred years. But multi-storey wooden structures have not been so common. In North America, 80 to 90 percent of all multi-storey buildings are constructed of wood and can have up to seven floors. One reason for the difference is that Sweden has prohibited building wooden structures over…
A biogas revolution in the transport sector

In December 2014, Helsingborg opened a cold gas filling station for liquefied biogas (LBG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) to serve heavy trucks. These renewable gases are starting to compete with more traditional diesel fuel. A revolution has begun. Environmentally conscious shippers, trucking companies, truck manufacturers, and other companies are spearheading the development and distribution of…
Breakthrough technology for fluorescent lighting

Lighting costs for companies can be substantial. They may include shedding light on facilities like parking garages, warehouses, factories, stations, airports, greenhouses, or other premises where the lamps are lit most of the day. “Energy prices are rising, environmental awareness is increasing and there are many companies looking for smart lighting solutions to save money and reduce their carbon…
Climate compensating consumer goods

“Our brand Garant Såklart [loosely translated: Guarantee Of course] is a new way of addressing climate concerns to minimize environmental impact,” says Åsa Domeij, responsible for environmental and social responsibility at Axfood. “The range includes body care and cleaning products like detergents.” “Currently, the range includes 20 products sold through Axfood channels. Free of perfumes…
Lighter food packaging

In an increasingly competitive environment, food manufacturers are trying to trim their packaging costs without compromising quality. This is not a simple equation to solve. Food packaging performs many different functions such as protecting the contents and providing a surface for images and text. One feature that has become increasingly important is to minimize the environmental impact of the packaging…