IEE, Husky Technologies Among Winners of FEDIL Innovation Award

On Thursday 5 December 2024, the FEDIL Innovation Award ceremony took place in the presence of Luxembourg's Minister of the Economy, SMEs, Energy and Tourism, Lex Delles, as well as guests, members of the jury and the winners of the 2024 edition.

From a total of 33 projects submitted for this 26th edition, the jury, made up of experts from the public and private sectors, awarded four prizes:

- Innovation Award 2024 in the "Product" category: IEE SA for its "Laminated Busbar Connector" project. As reported by FEDIL, this provider of smart sensing solutions for automotive and other markets has developed a "breakthrough innovation" for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The compact, lightweight busbar connector is a hybrid solution of printed electronics combined with conventional electronic assembly and interconnection elements, integrating multiple functionalities into a single component. The simple system allows for a higher level of automation in manufacturing. Customisable for various applications, it also extends its benefits to energy storage and industrial battery systems, contributing to a more sustainable future.

- Innovation Award 2024 in the "Process" category: Husky Technologies for its "Plate Line Automation" project. Husky Technologies, a technology provider of injection molding systems and services for the food and beverage, consumer goods and medical device industries, has implemented this innovative project to enhance operational efficiency, product quality and employee productivity. The Industry 4.0 initiative integrates three advanced technologies into one single automated system: a 5-tonne Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) for pallet delivery directly to the milling centres; fully automated tool loading and unloading for deep-hole drilling; the use of digital twin technology and tool analysis software for real-time simulation and quality control. The project is said to reduce production times, improve precision, ensure safety and free operators from repetitive tasks. There are plans to expand this concept to other facilities worldwide.

- Innovation Award 2024 in the "Digital / AI" category: Creos Luxembourg SA / DataThings SA for their project "Kopr: The AI Twin of the Smart Grid". Kopr Twin is described as a pioneering Al-driven digital twin solution designed to revolutionise the management and optimisation of electricity grids. The initial project, known as "ALVA", was led by Creos Luxembourg and developed in collaboration with DataThings, which now commercialises the product under the Kopr Twin brand. Kopr leverages advanced machine learning algorithms, real-time data analytics and integration of pre-existing data sources to provide grid operators with precise, actionable insights into the operational status and future performance of the grid. Kopr was developed from scratch in Luxembourg. Kopr Twin is currently being promoted through several pilot projects with various Distribution System Operators (DSOs) in Europe.

- Innovation Award 2024 in the "Engineering Excellence" category: CTI Systems Sàrl / GRADEL Sàrl for their project "On Board Cargo Loader". Material handling specialist CTI Systems and ultra-light structures specialist Gradel have jointly developed a "ground-breaking" On Board Cargo Loader (OBCL) for the Airbus Beluga freighter. This mobile loading equipment is said to address the challenge of loading and unloading oversized cargo at airports without specialised stationary loading infrastructure. Designed to travel with the cargo on the same aircraft, the OBCL can unload autonomously, adjust to the ground and the aircraft with high precision and load up to 23 tonnes, while its own weight does not exceed 9 tonnes. The complex engineering of this ultra-lightweight construction, using high-strength materials and carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP), takes into account statics in different load cases, stability, weather resistance, temperature expansion, fire resistance, etc.

FEDIL assured that the four winning projects fully meet the criteria set out in the Innovation Award rules, i.e. they stand out for their innovative and original nature, while being of interest to the Luxembourg economy.

In his welcome address, FEDIL Chairman Georges Rassel stressed that innovation is the industry's greatest asset for anticipating, adapting to and overcoming the present global challenges. Innovation is the lever that enables companies to remain competitive on the international stage and to successfully meet the challenges of digital transformation and transformation through artificial intelligence (AI), of the energy transition and decarbonisation, bringing about opportunities for growth and resilience in the future. Companies, especially SMEs, need to be supported in their efforts to innovate, he added.

Moreover, Georges Rassel praised the high quality of the projects submitted for the competition, which provided an "impressive illustration" of the industry's strength in innovation, with entries from companies of all sizes and from a range of sectors.

The ceremony also included a speech by Professor Dr Cornelius Herstatt on "Sustainable, frugal innovation: the way out of the dilemma between growth and environmental protection?"

In his closing speech, Minister Delles emphasised the importance of innovation and research for the development and diversification of the country's economy, and underlined FEDIL's long-standing commitment to innovation. He in turn congratulated the winners who received their diplomas, a trophy and films made especially for the occasion to illustrate their respective projects.