Innovative Methods to Recover Leather Waste

ABSTRACT

Environmental pollution is a major global issue affecting biodiversity, ecosystems, and human health. Multiple economic activities contribute to this pollution; the textile industry, with its enormous amount of waste, is one of the major contributors.

The Seeker of this Challenge, Iren Ambiente, has set several ambitious goals related to eco-design and eco-efficiency. One of them is to reduce the environmental impact of textile waste resulting from industrial processing. To achieve this goal, Iren Ambiente invites Solvers to join this project by submitting a short, non-confidential proposal to develop innovative technologies to recover leather waste.

This is an electronic Request-for-Partners (eRFP) Challenge; the Solver will only need to submit a written proposal to be evaluated by the Seeker with the goal of establishing a collaborative partnership.

OVERVIEW

Environmental pollution is a major global issue affecting biodiversity, ecosystems, and human health. Among the economic activities that threaten environmental sustainability, the textile industry, with its enormous amount of waste, is one of the worst offenders.

The Seeker of this Challenge, Iren Ambiente, has set several ambitious goals aligned with Italy’s National Strategy for the Circular Economy, a broad set of policies focused on eco-design and eco-efficiency. One of these goals is to reduce the environmental impact of textile waste resulting from industrial processing. To achieve this goal, Iren Ambiente invites Solvers to join this project by submitting a proposal to develop innovative technologies to recover leather waste.

The submissions should be short, non-confidential, and focusing on the efficiency of recovery, the quality of recovered leather, and minimizing consumption of resources during the process of recovery.

This is an electronic Request-for-Partners (eRFP) Challenge. The Solver will write a preliminary proposal (about 2-4 pages, including supporting non-confidential information and contact details) to be evaluated by the Seeker with a goal of establishing a collaborative partnership. Upon completion of the evaluation, the Seeker may contact selected Solvers directly to work out terms for a collaboration contract. The monetary value of the contract will vary depending on the amount of work to be delivered and the agreed upon time frame.

NOTE: Proposals from Solvers who have the ability to work directly as the collaboration partner or supplier will be considered first. The Seeker will also consider proposals from other Solvers who refer a suitable candidate as a partner for a “finder’s fee” of $2,000 USD if convinced the candidate is worth contacting. See full description for details. 

Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time) on May 12, 2023.

Late submissions will not be considered.

ABOUT THE SEEKER

Iren is one of the largest and most dynamic multi-utility companies in Italy. It operates in many sectors including the generation and distribution of electricity, production of thermal energy for district heating, and gas. It also manages electric grids and provides integrated water services, as well as environmental and technological services.

Iren serves a multiregional area in the Northwest of Italy. It employs more than 10,000 people and provides a portfolio of services in the energy sector (2 million customers), integrated water sector (2.8 million customers), and environmental services (3.8 million citizens served). Iren is the largest operator in Italy in the production of thermal energy for district heating.

Iren operates mainly through its business units: Iren Energia, Ireti, Iren Mercato, and Iren Ambiente. The current Challenge is sponsored primarily by Iren Ambiente, the company dealing with integrated environmental services.

What is the Wazoku Crowd?

Imagine a world where any problem you have can be looked at by millions of expert, motivated eyes. The Wazoku Crowd makes this possible. With twenty years of experience in crowdsourcing, the Wazoku Crowd is the gold standard for open talent and external innovation solutions. Commercial, governmental and humanitarian organizations engage with the Wazoku Crowd to solve problems that can impact humankind in areas ranging from the environment to medical advancements.

What is an eRFP Challenge?

A Wazoku Crowd eRFP Challenge allows Seekers to submit Requests for Proposals for a partner or supplier to provide materials or expertise to solve a business challenge by leveraging the Wazoku Crowd Solver network. This global community includes organizations and individuals, such as contract research organizations, scientists, university researchers, and technology companies.

After a Solver submits an eRFP response, the Seeker evaluates the responses to determine which Solver(s) to contact for further business discussions. With eRFPs, the Solver must not provide any confidential information in the eRFP response. If your eRFP response is selected, you negotiate the terms of the contract (including scope of work, tasks and duration) directly with the Seeker.

This Challenge type does not require Intellectual Property (IP) transfer. However, sometimes Seekers request that certain IP arrangements be made should a partnership be formed.