Advancing Engineering Expertise with the Enterprise Ireland’s Innovation Partnership Programme
A key role of Enterprise Ireland is to support the commercialisation of innovative research into business, for the benefit of a more modern and knowledgeable workforce. The Innovation Partnership Programme is at the intersection of industry and academia, uniting researchers and companies that are seeking collaborative innovative construction sector resolutions using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).
The Innovation Partnership Programme is all about mutually beneficial engagement between organisations, creating an innovative ecosystem to deliver impactful change. This is timely for the Irish construction sector as innovations in Modern Methods of Construction, material sustainability, or engineering technology led by research institutions are developing with the support of industry collaboration.
Companies in construction and advanced manufacturing can undertake research alongside an educational partner towards the development, or re-development, of products, processes, and services. Businesses can enjoy the commercial advantages brought about by this collaboration (which can improve day-to-day operations for those on the ground and gives workers the opportunity to contribute to product development). Meanwhile, research institutes can gain financially from these new innovations, and benefit from developing new intellectual property and skillsets.
Enterprise Ireland will fund up to 80% of the research costs for developing new and improved products, processes or services. 100% capital funding may also be available if a project requires the purchase of large-scale equipment. So, how does the Innovation Partnership Programme work in practice?
Recent research conducted by South East Technological University (SETU) in the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment’s (engCORE), in Co. Carlow, has led to a breakthrough in precast concrete development for the protection of concrete assets from aqueous corrosion.
Researchers at engCORE, Dr David Culliton and Dr Phuoc Huynh, developed a flexible surface technology protecting the facade of concrete installations such as retaining walls and stormwater drains. Additional remote leak-detection monitoring technologies will further assure the long-term integrity of concrete systems.
Dr David Culliton expanded on the core application of this new precast concrete technology:
“Cement and construction are vital to our society ... and to residential and corporate construction projects.”
Lecturer, SETU
The Innovation Partnership Programme partnered SETU with FLI Global (under its Precast Solutions division), an environmental technologies company with a background in precast concrete. The project was supported by the Design+ Technology Gateway at SETU, another Enterprise Ireland programme facilitating access to research expertise and development.
FLI Global are experts in geomembranes, factory-made impermeable barriers designed to be waterproof in a range of environmental applications. They also have expertise geosynthetics, complimentary products used to protect geomembranes and offer other structural benefits.
FLI Global were confident a geomembrane could be integrated with precast concrete in a factory setting using a bonding geotextile material. The research carried out by SETU assessed various options combinations for bonding the geomembrane to the geotextile and the geotextile to the wet concrete. A second stage of research will focus on creating an integrated leak detection system for 24/7 remote monitoring and pinpointing any damage.
But developing this new product went beyond just the technical. The thickness and dimensions of the panelling were designed for two-person manual handling and installation, and without the need for any specialised equipment. This promotes safer work practices while increasing operational efficiency.
For the team in FLI Group’s manufacturing facility in Ballon, Co. Carlow, it also presented the opportunity to upskill in producing a new and innovative product and learn from SETU's research. This also encouraged a shift in thinking around solution design within the off-site manufacturing team.
Alex Flynn, Business Development Manager for the FLI Group, said the Innovation Partnership Programme was ultimately vital for the organisation to leverage research expertise they wouldn’t otherwise have access to in day-to-day operations. This encourages a greater culture of learning and development around products that can transform FLI Group projects.
“It’s an excellent programme, especially for companies without expertise in R&D. It benefits the company as you can stand behind the results generated from the research; this is vital in the development of any new product. The programme benefits the researchers as they work on innovations that are directly applicable to industry.”
Business Development Manager for the FLI Group
Dr David Culliton reiterated the importance of SETU research and engineering product development being part of the Innovation Partnership Programme.
“We can directly contribute to the work of organisations and industry, impacting the wider community regionally, nationally, and even globally. This is a key aspect of SETU’s strategic and research plans.”
Lecturer, SETU
Richard Whyte, Business Development Manager at the Design+ Technology Gateway, elaborated on the importance of the Innovation Partnership Programme in supporting companies that may not otherwise have the opportunity to do their own research by pairing them with academics equipped to deliver practical innovations for advanced manufacturing.
“It has been hugely rewarding to witness the work of this research project between SETU and FLI Global. Our goal ... through the Innovation Partnership Programme is to continuously support our talented researchers at SETU in their capacity to partner with industry to contribute to transforming their data findings into real-world impact.”
Business Development Manager at the Design+ Technology Gateway
If you are a company in the advanced manufacturing or Modern Methods of Construction space operating in the Republic of Ireland, you may be eligible to join the Innovation Partnership Programme. Find out more now.