Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SMAV (SMAV: Best for the Environment Soda Fountain Smart Valves)

Teaser

\"The goal of our project is to introduce a revolutionary innovation in the fluid management systems currently used in soft drink dispensing \"\"fountains\"\", by replacing the valves that are commonly used with a new volumetric valve which takes advantage of the properties of...

Summary

\"The goal of our project is to introduce a revolutionary innovation in the fluid management systems currently used in soft drink dispensing \"\"fountains\"\", by replacing the valves that are commonly used with a new volumetric valve which takes advantage of the properties of shape memory alloys (SMA). This valve will not require a high maintenance, as required by the valves commonly used today, and will cost less than them.\"

Work performed

The Pilot Trials have demonstrated, through many measures, that our valve is able to maintain with an adequate accuracy the mixing ratio of two different liquids, and to deliver with precision a predetermined quantity of beverage; even more important, the comparative tests with traditional post-mix valves have proven that its capability of mixing and dispensing a predetermined quantity of beverage is highly superior than that of the traditional valves compared.

The participation to important trade fairs gave us the possibility to meet a large number of players in this market. The reactions were extraordinary and all the main customers recognized this technology as the “new revolution” in the beverage sector. The valve has been selected for the “Best Innovation Award of the year” in the section “new technology for beverage” at BRAU fair.

All potential risks which can harm the project have been identified, with the probability they could happen. Risk-mitigation measures have been listed and described, especially for the technical risks.

The business planning has allowed us to define with precision all the economic variables involved, the required investments, the financial needs and the forecasted turnover, which appears very promising.

The activities carried out so far have demonstrated the validity of the technical characteristics of our valve, a very positive responsiveness from the market, the soundness of the Business Plan and the absence of risks able to harm the project. All that encourages us to continue the project.

Final results

Having demonstrated the validity of our business idea, if we will reach in the long run our initial goal to convert 10% of the potential market to our technology, the environmental benefits deriving from reductions in the production and transport of plastic and aluminium containers will be:

- elimination of up to 7.5 billion aluminium and plastic containers;
- elimination of up to 2.3 tons of transported weight.