News

Event programme:

14:50-15:00 Welcoming guests

15:00 - 15:10 Welcome speech

15:10 - 15:40 Panel discussion: Where will the European Green Deal take the Lithuanian construction industry? Changes and opportunities

15:40 - 15:50 Presentation of the results of the “Green Acoustic Panels” project (Norway Grants): Catalysing innovation between science, business and the market

Presenter: Andrius Gurskis, Director of UAB AVAGO

15:50 - 16:00 Presentation: Acoustics and circular economy in construction

Presenter: Associate Professor Dr Tomas Januševičius, Vilnius Tech

16:00 - 16:20 From Project to Product: Presentation of the Green Acoustic Panel

Presenter: Artūras Jukna, Director of UAB Provectus Redivivus

16:20 - 17:00 Closing remarks by the host and an invitation to network over refreshments

Project title: “Development of a technological process for the production of a sound-insulating acoustic panel from recycled polyurethane, plastic and rubber waste”

Project code: LT07-1-EIM-01-017

The Supernamai 2023 exhibition took place at Litexpo from September 29 to October 1. UAB “Provectus redivivus” participated and exhibited its products. One of the main products presented to visitors was a prototype sound-insulating acoustic panel, developed together with its partner UAB “Avago” as part of a project implemented under the Norway Grants programme.

Representatives of “Provectus redivivus” were pleased to have the opportunity to hear feedback, advice and suggestions from potential buyers. These are particularly important when considering adapting the panel for mass production in the future.

The project “Development of a technological process for the production of a sound-insulating acoustic panel from recycled polyurethane, plastic and rubber waste” is being implemented in the green industry innovation area of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism programme “Business Development, Innovation and SMEs”.

Project code: LT07-1-EIM-01-017. The project is administered by the Innovation Agency.

More information about the Norway Grants programme: https://www.eeagrants.lt/

Good news: the project partners have achieved a breakthrough in one of the main activities! As we have mentioned, and as the project title suggests, the central task is to develop a sound-insulating acoustic panel using fully recycled waste for its base. After extensive research, testing, evaluation and adjustment of parameters, the project partners have produced and tested standard-sized acoustic panels with a plastic base made from secondary raw materials.

The properties of the manufactured panels have also been determined and will continue to be improved. It is important to mention that this version of the panels, which has been manufactured and tested, can be adapted for mass production by developing the corresponding production process and technological line.

The project implemented by UAB AVAGO together with its partner UAB Provectus redivivus is “Development of a technological process for the production of a sound-insulating acoustic panel from recycled polyurethane, plastic and rubber waste”, project code LT07-1-EIM-01-017.

More information about the Norway Grants programme: https://www.eeagrants.lt/

The InScience conference took place in Kyiv on June 17–18, highlighting the importance of developing innovation, especially during wartime. The main topic was the importance of existing and emerging technologies for rebuilding Ukraine, both now and after the war.

This is the largest science conference in Ukraine, so we are pleased that UAB AVAGO Director Andrius Gurskis also participated. He had the opportunity to present the Norway Grants project being implemented with partners, its objectives and progress, and to raise awareness of the Norway Grants programme itself, its opportunities and its benefits for the development of innovation.

The head of UAB AVAGO also presented the practical side of the project to conference participants: from the initiation process to implementation and the challenges involved.

Among the many participants, we made new contacts that we hope will grow into partnerships in the future.

The NOR: way to Green business and ICT event took place in early June to mark the midpoint of the Norway Grants programme. The event presented business success stories in green industry innovation and bilateral partnerships, highlighted Norway Grants opportunities, and included discussions on investment in sustainability.

UAB AVAGO Innovation Commercialisation Manager Vilius Šeškauskas also participated. He met other companies involved in the programme, learned about their activities and future plans, and had the opportunity to establish contacts with companies interested in sound insulation solutions. We are pleased with these new connections and plan to develop them further, as cooperation with other participants in the ecosystem opens up new opportunities for long-term partnerships.

Reuse and environmentally friendly technologies are becoming increasingly relevant to both everyday consumers and businesses. We saw this at the Resta exhibition, where the sound insulation solutions jointly developed by project partners UAB “Avago” and UAB “Provectus redivivus” attracted particular interest.

Representatives of the partners presented existing products and innovative products under development that use reused plastics as their raw material. They surprised visitors with the opportunity to test the sound insulation properties themselves using a box made from acoustic panels. They also shared how the Norway Grants programme and the project implemented under it had accelerated the development of the technology presented and the creation of products.

The Lithuanian Cleantech Cluster brings together companies, research and educational institutions, and other organisations operating in the field of clean technologies. Its members pool their professional knowledge, skills, business contacts, reputation and experience to pursue shared goals: increasing members’ competitiveness and strengthening Lithuania’s image as a country of clean technologies. On February 1 this year, the cluster organised a general meeting of its members.

The meeting presented the cluster’s 2022 activity report and discussed plans and insights for this year. UAB “Provectus redivivus” Director Artūras Jukna also participated and presented the company’s current project, “Development of a technological process for the production of a sound-insulating acoustic panel from recycled polyurethane, plastic and rubber waste”, No. LT07-1-EIM-K01-017, under measure No. LT07-1-EIM-K01, “2014–2021

Norwegian Financial Mechanism programme ‘Business Development, Innovation and SMEs’, in the area of green industry innovation”.

UAB “Provectus redivivus” continues to successfully implement the project “Development of a technological process for the production of a sound-insulating acoustic panel from recycled polyurethane, plastic and rubber waste”, No. LT07-1-EIM-K01-017, under measure No. LT07-1-EIM-K01, “2014–2021 Norwegian Financial Mechanism programme ‘Business Development, Innovation and SMEs’, in the area of green industry innovation”.

We have already received plastic samples from suppliers (pictured) and are currently testing them to identify those most suitable for the production of sound-insulating panels.

On September 6 this year, UAB “Provectus redivivus” was admitted to the Lithuanian Cleantech Cluster. The cluster’s board heard a presentation by company Director Artūras Jukna about the activities, future plans and objectives of UAB “Provectus redivivus”. The board welcomed the fact that the company’s activities fully meet the cluster’s objectives for its members and make a substantial contribution to the goals of the Green Deal. It voted unanimously to admit UAB “Provectus redivivus” to the cluster.

As a partner of UAB “Avago”, UAB “Provectus redivivus” is participating in the implementation of the project “Development of a technological process for the production of a sound-insulating acoustic panel from recycled polyurethane, plastic and rubber waste”, No. LT07-1-EIM-K01-017, under measure No. LT07-1-EIM-K01, “2014–2021 Norwegian Financial Mechanism programme ‘Business Development, Innovation and SMEs’, in the area of green industry innovation”.

The aim of the project is to carry out scientific research and experimental development work and to develop a technological process for the production of a sound-insulating acoustic panel from recycled polyurethane, plastic and rubber waste. The research is intended to create a new generation of exceptionally high-quality sound insulation products that would replace the established sound insulation products currently available in the construction market.

To achieve these objectives, it is very important to select suitable polyurethane waste and polyol resins. Research into this waste was carried out in our laboratory, as provided for in the business plan. First, the types of polyurethane waste to be used were assessed (photo 1). Tests were also carried out to determine the properties of the polyol resins received. With these properties known, we assessed whether the material was suitable for use in acoustic panel composites.

For example, the hydroxyl number of the polyol resins was determined (photo 2), impurity concentrations and viscosity were tested, and the water content was measured. Knowing the hydroxyl number allows us to assess whether a polyurethane and rubber composite will form and to calculate how much resin is needed when preparing rubber mixtures for acoustic panels.

All the results of this research are summarised and used to develop a high-quality sound-insulating acoustic panel from recycled polyurethane, plastic and rubber waste.

At a meeting held in Vilnius on April 28, 2022, Artūras Jukna, head of the project partner UAB “Provectus redivivus”, presented the project to Ilona Rinkevičienė, SIA “CEWOOD” (Latvia) Project Manager for Sound Insulation and Acoustic Solutions in Lithuania. Established in 2015, CEWOOD is the only manufacturer of particle board in the Baltic States and one of the world’s leading companies in the field.

The company’s product quality standards have helped it successfully expand the market for CEWOOD products in many countries around the world. Both CEWOOD and UAB “Provectus redivivus” work on sound insulation solutions, so various opportunities for cooperation were discussed. It was agreed that, in some projects, the two companies’ products would complement each other well and improve the effectiveness of sound insulation. The companies therefore agreed to cooperate actively.

Jeff Burton, a prominent Silicon Valley investor and serial founder, visited the project site to assess the project and its future prospects. Over the past 10 years, Jeff has helped European startups secure partnerships and investments in Silicon Valley. He is best known as a co-founder of Electronic Arts and for running the UC Berkeley technology accelerator.

According to Jeff, the project shows great promise and could attract interest from leading industry players in cooperation or investment.

Sigita Matulevičiūtė, an employee of project partner UAB “Provectus redivivus”, participated in the Norwegian-Lithuanian Business Forum 2021 RESILIENCE, held in Oslo, Norway, on November 11, 2021. During the event, the project being implemented by UAB AVAGO and UAB “Provectus redivivus”, “Development of a technological process for the production of a sound-insulating acoustic panel from recycled polyurethane, plastic and rubber waste”, was presented.

Contacts established during the event have led to further negotiations on both the supply of raw materials and wider applications for the acoustic panel being developed.

This year, UAB AVAGO, together with partners in Lithuania and Norway, began implementing a project to develop and produce a new generation of acoustic panels made from rubber granules and recycled plastic.

Project lead: UAB AVAGO

Project title: “Development of a technological process for the production of a sound-insulating acoustic panel from recycled polyurethane, plastic and rubber waste”

Project code: LT07-1-EIM-01-017

Eligible project costs: EUR 747,994.56

Project partners: UAB Provectus redivivus (LT), Norwegian partner (NO)

Project implementation period: July 2021 - December 2023

More information about the funding programme can be found at norwaygrants.lt/

Global climate change is forcing us to look for new and innovative ways to turn waste into a resource and use recycled materials to make useful products, thus closing the circular economy loop. As cities become more densely populated, demand for effective sound insulation increases. The exceptionally high-quality acoustic panels being developed in this project have strong commercial potential in the global market for construction and sound insulation products.

The new product developed during the project, an acoustic panel, will contribute to solving several problems:

Environmentally harmful polyurethane waste and the growing quantities of this waste

Large quantities of polyurethane waste that remain unrecycled, are disposed of by incineration, or are stored in landfills

The complexity of managing polyurethane waste, which varies greatly in form and composition and can include mattresses, pipes and other products

Environmental requirements that become stricter every year

It is projected that, by 2050, more than two-thirds of the world’s population will live in cities

It is estimated that almost 7 billion people will live in cities by 2050.

As cities rapidly become more densely populated, the problem of noise will become more acute.

PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT, ACTIVITIES AND PRODUCTS TO BE DEVELOPED

The aim of the project “Development of a technological process for the production of a sound-insulating acoustic panel from recycled polyurethane, plastic and rubber waste” is to carry out scientific research and experimental development work and to develop a technological process for the production of these panels.

The research aims to develop a new generation of exceptionally high-quality sound insulation products that would replace established alternatives in the construction market.