Eramet launches Safety First Innovation Challenge 2022 in
partnership with EIT RawMaterials
Eramet has embarked on a new innovation journey in partnership with EIT RawMaterials: The
Eramet Safety First Innovation Challenge 2022 to promote the development of novel solutions
for Occupational Safety in the Mining and Metals industry.
At Eramet, safety is the first priority. Ensuring the safety of its employees and subcontractors
and achieving Zero accidents is one of thirteen commitments within the group’s Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR) roadmap.
This challenge highlights Eramet’s vision to grow its partner network and provide access to a
rich variety of interesting start up players for their own strategic purposes.
As industry technologies and standards advance, safety provides flexibility, productivity and
contributes towards an organisation’s responsibility and obligation to its people and its
environment.
The Challenge is focused on discovering innovative safety solutions for either of the following
areas:
- Safety of lone workers in Exploration
- Hazard detection and prevention systems
- Human-machine interaction in Mining & Metallurgical Processing
- Transport & Logistics in Mining.
Start-ups and SMEs which offer smart technologies (at least TRL5) to keep workers safe in
the Mining and Metals industry are invited to apply to the Eramet Safety First Challenge 2022
from 23 May to 1 September 2022.
The winning team will be awarded a collaboration contract
with Eramet (up to €50k in funding to realise a proof of concept), with potential extension
to a long-term collaboration.
A total of 10 candidates will be selected to pitch their solution to the jury while just three
candidates will have the opportunity to be coached by Eramet and EIT RawMaterials experts
to better adapt their solution to the specific challenges required. The winner will be named at
the final round in early 2023.
“Emerging technologies play a major role in advancing the safety in the Mining and Metals
industry. Improving the safety of workers is an absolute priority and we must explore all
possible solutions to achieve our target of zero accidents by 2023. Scalability, adaptability and
innovativeness are the key factors of a winning project in this challenge,” says Marion Lenoir,
Head of Open Innovation Department at Eramet.
“We are delighted to continue our collaboration with Eramet Ideas to broaden access to the
best and most exciting start-ups and entrepreneurs. Discovering them at the beginning of their
journey can only help fast track them to success. The collaboration with an industry leader will
give them the competitive edge needed to secure the big vision which is to attain a sustainable
supply of mineral resources for Europe,” says Michel Vanavermaete, Director Innovaton Hub
Central and West at EIT RawMaterials.
Innovators are invited to find out more about the challenge and to apply here: https://open-innovation.eitrawmaterials.eu/opportunities/eramet-challenge