CLEVELAND, OH--(Marketwire - March 4, 2009) - 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/NineSigma_RFP_60174.pdf
"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.
Contact Information: Media Contact:
Dan Dyer
513-478-7818