Lars Jerpdal to Speak at WISE Networking Day

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WISE is eagerly preparing for the inaugural WISE Networking Day, set to take place in Norrköping on January 28. Among the prominent speakers is Lars Jerpdal, Technical Manager at Scania Group, who works in the Cab Research Department.

Lars holds a PhD from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, where he completed an industrial PhD program at Scania. With over 23 years of experience at Scania across various roles and departments, as well as three years at the Volkswagen Group in Germany, Lars brings a wealth of expertise to the table. He is also the project manager of WIRA-SuPRA.

What will you talk about during the WISE Networking Day?

At the WISE Networking Day, I will be discussing our WISE Research Arena, WIRA-SuPRA, its activities and achievements. WIRA-SuPRA, which stands for Sustainable Polymer Research Arena, was established last April. This initiative brings together some of Sweden’s leading companies and universities, including Scania, Husqvarna Group, Thule Group, the Polymer Institute, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Chalmers University of Technology, Linköping University, Luleå University of Technology, Lund University, and Stockholm University.

What inspired the creation of WIRA-SuPRA?

Our group at Scania doesn’t have many experts in plastics, so we rely to some extent on collaborations with academia. For some time, we searched for ways to collaborate on topics like plastics, polymers, and lightweight materials without much success—even attempting to establish a competence center. When WISE approached us with the idea of creating a WIRA, we seized the opportunity. We already had an ongoing collaboration with the Polymer Institute in Småland, so it felt like the perfect chance to expand those efforts.

What sustainability challenges is WIRA-SuPRA addressing?

We want to develop both materials and processes that are more sustainable. For example, we aim to develop solutions that are less reliant on fossil fuels. Additionally, we’re working to reduce the weight of our products, which helps minimize environmental impact. Another priority is addressing the end-of-life phase for materials to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of their environmental impact.