Condition Monitoring

We are looking for startups to stay on top of corrosion, creep and other material changes in our equipment.
Ended
Win a 100.000€ pilot project and the chance for a long-term partnership with BASF, the world’s leading chemical company. Apply in just five minutes for a chance to win!

Startup Requirements

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Your startup has an innovative technology or product, not just consulting services
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Your solution is either ready-for-market or can be co-developed with BASF to bring the solution to a usable stage.
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Ideally, your solution has already been adapted for at least one existing customer
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Your product can be configured and adapted to fit BASF needs
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There are no restrictions regarding location, company age, or team size to apply for this partnership.
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For this challenge universities, institutes and research teams are also welcome!

Briefing

The Challenge


As  the world’s leading chemical company, BASF Group is made up of subsidiaries and joint ventures in more than 80 countries and has 115.000 employees worldwide.

Manufacturing is the core of our business. Therefore, we need to make sure that all of our processes, units and equipment operate in a safe and secure environment and are in perfect condition. Any change in operating conditions can pose a potential safety hazard, which needs to be properly addressed. Safe plant operation and safeguarded production availability are our top priorities.

We are looking for a startup with technology that can stay on top of corrosion, creep and other material changes in our equipment, and also revolutionize how we monitor, predict, and prevent potential threats with intelligent systems.

We seek  to address equipment-damage problems such as wall thinning, creep, and corrosion with intelligent monitoring systems for a wide range of applications. . Available techniques use sensors that only measure wall thickness or basic media corrosivity at the point of installation. . Locating the point of damage on a given piece of equipment is also difficult. . For other damage mechanisms like e.g. localized corrosion or creep, there are currently hardly any sensors available at an industrial scale. A more accurate and continuous means of monitoring current safety hazards must be developed. 

Our Expectations


Already think of us as your customer or development partner.  This challenge is open for startups, universities, institutes and research teams. For the project, we expect you to adapt your existing product or co-develop a product with BASF.  By the end of the project, we expect to have a first version of an intelligent monitoring system ready for further evaluation and adaptation. Our goal is to implement a global standard solution to all of our sites. We are ready to help you fine tune your solution to get it there.

Your solution may potentially consist of connected sensors, which determine material changes and their effect on equipment long after their initial installation. Systems may use more available information than local wall thickness to evaluate changes, such as stiffness of equipment out of CAD drawing. Sensors may also use more than one testing technique.Your product or technology should be able to address the following questions: 

  • How can we continuously monitor our equipment for chemical damage and identify areas where specific types of damage have taken place? 
  • Can we use connected sensors in order to determine how material changes impact the effectiveness of different machinery and materials?
  • What other testing techniques could help us achieve our objectives?

The Process



Please take five minutes to quickly describe your solution. 


After the application deadline, our selection committee will invite up to five finalists to deliver their pitch at a representative BASF location. You will speak with key decision-makers during your visit, and also be compensated for your travel and lodging expenses.

We will then  choose up to three winners for a 100.000€ pilot project. Upon successful completion of the project, startups can officially list BASF as their customer or client. A decision will also be made on whether or not to enter a long-term partnership and whether to roll out  your startup’s solution regionally or even worldwide. 

Benefits

Your budget is up to 100.000€ for a 3-6 month project.

Get a substantial starting budget

Your budget is up to 100.000€ for a 3-6 month project.
We know that implementing solutions in a corporate setting requires time and resources, and we want you to have both.
A pilot project is just the beginning...

Win BASF as a long-term partner

A pilot project is just the beginning...
After the pilot project, list BASF as a reference on your website and negotiate a local or global rollout of your solution. We want to become your long-term business partner.
Don’t pay to pitch your solution.

Travel and lodging are covered

Don’t pay to pitch your solution.
If we invite you for a pitch, we will cover your travel and lodging expenses.

Project terms

Access the project terms(PDF) here.

Timeline

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    Application Deadline (extended) 2019-02-17 23:59 CET
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    Application Feedback 2019-02-28 23:59 CET
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    Pitch @BASF 2019-03-21 14:30 CET
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    Start of Pilot Project 2019-04-15 14:30 CEST
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    Start of Rollout Discussions 2019-10-01 14:30 CEST

Selection Committee

Thomas Paschkowski Digital Technology Scout, BASF
Thomas is responsible for scouting out and introducing innovative technologies based on industry 4.0 specifics - such as smart manufacturing, smart supply chain, and digital business models.
Dr. Berthold Schreieck Expert for Material Testing and Corrosion, BASF
Berthold Schreieck is our expert for material testing and corrosion at BASF. He will examine your solution carefully and closely work with you within the pilot project. 
Dr. Thomas Gottschalk Cluster Head Smart Innovation & Technology, BASF 4.0
Thomas drives significant parts of the senior project “BASF 4.0”, which was formed to lead the digital transformation in chemicals. He reports to the Chief Digital Officer. His cluster executes over 30 explorative lighthouse projects and scale-up programs of proven solutions in Europe, North America, and Asia. 

About Digital Challenges

With the digital challenges BASF invites startups to solve real problems and to become a longterm business partner. BASF offers first project budgets between 50.000 and 100.000€. Let's explore digital opportunities together. The deadlines are approaching soon! 
Learn More

Contact Octorank

Mailé Biraben
Octorank Project Manager