Companies Engage NineSigma to Help Solve Sustainability Challenges

March 4, 2009 - PRLog -- CLEVELAND, Ohio – As more companies continue to incorporate sustainability into their technology and knowledge projects, many are turning to NineSigma’s open innovation solutions for answers. NineSigma works with companies to build open innovation programs and addresses individual components of the programs through solution searches, consulting and intelligence services. Driven by emerging environmental and socioeconomic concerns, sustainability has become a cross-industry and global issue for a growing number of companies.

With the largest innovation network of solution providers across industries, academia and private/public research organizations, NineSigma is able to distribute needs, knowledge and ideas across industries and around the world. Among NineSigma’s current sustainability projects is a search for environmentally friendly electrical energy storage for portable consumer products. NineSigma recently issued a request and is accepting proposals for fully recyclable or harmlessly disposable energy storage devices that can support the mobility of household electrical appliances. To review the complete request for proposal, visit https://www.myninesigma.com/sites/public/_layouts/RFPs/Ni...

“We are seeing an increasing number of companies that want to use open innovation and our network of resources to address sustainability issues,” said Matthew Heim, president of NineSigma. “Currently, close to 90 percent of our intelligence projects are focused on sustainability challenges. Instead of waiting for new solution providers to step forward with sustainability solutions, we quickly and proactively find technologies and capabilities from patented, as well as pre-patented and non-published sources. Because of our experience in open innovation and understanding of sustainability projects, we are helping our clients to fill their knowledge gaps, and find available solutions and potential partners.”

In the event that solutions are not readily available on the market, NineSigma also manages industry consortia around key issues, such as environmental impact. NineSigma can organize consortia to efficiently tackle industry-wide or cross-industry innovation challenges that engage and benefit both solution seekers and providers. Other sustainability projects currently in process or recently closed include the following:
•   Steel forming project with an objective to reduce consumption of materials
•   Reduce scrap in manufacturing of wearable consumer products
•   Electric power grid compliant power conversion systems
•   Ethanol production from paper-based waste cellulosic biomass
•   Green, alternative construction techniques for residential home building

Heim believes NineSigma will see an increase in sustainability projects as companies continue to look for ways to do more with fewer resources, and with less impact on their environments. He added, “Through their sustainability efforts, our clients are looking for ways to build their brands and reputations, improve efficiencies and grow revenues from a diverse set of products and services, all while reducing costs and risk. NineSigma is making this happen by helping companies understand where to start, providing the intelligence and processes to build a sustainable program and then connecting them to the critical solutions and expertise not yet in public domain.”

About NineSigma
NineSigma helps Global 1000 companies develop and maximize value from their open innovation programs. Companies such as GlaxoSmithKline, Kraft, Philips, Unilever and Xerox engage NineSigma to build new knowledge and capabilities that accelerate the innovation cycle and increase productivity. A leader in expert-sourcing, NineSigma has the largest open global network of solution providers and an extensive database of existing solutions that spans all industries and technical disciplines. In 2008, NineSigma ranked among the top 20 percent of companies on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing private companies in the United States. The company also has operations in Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.ninesigma.com.