TOMA case study

IGTT case study

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TOMA, a.s. cooperated on the development of new technological process with an external expert on the given issues and with the Technology Faculty of the Tomas Bata University in Zlín. The development and research phase was completed by semi-operational tests of the new technological method, on the basis of which the company supported the innovation method in the grant application. The technological methods are protected by utility designs at the Department of Industrial Property.


The project follows on from the tradition of the manufacturing complex a part of which was extensive tanning production including processes for the disposal of leather waste. Based on these experiences, their extension and most importantly by their improvement and the overall innovation of the process of waste disposal, a new technology for the treatment of biodegradable wastes was designed and developed. The most appropriate input raw material are wastes from rabbit skins, but also other animal wastes, e.g. bones, skins, protein meal, etc. The output raw materials are protein concentrates, fats, bone meals with a very low ash content. These products can be used namely in the agrochemical and cosmetic industry.
Within the framework of the implementation phase of the project various equipment was purchased, like for example dryers, crushers, evaporators and other components necessary to construct the new technology. This technology has specific manufacturing parameters and is the sole intellectual property of TOMA, a.s. Namely for this implementation phase of the project, the company received a grant from the Operational Programme Industry and Enterprise (OOPP), from the Innovation Programme. Approximately 10 employees of TOMA a.s. were involved in the preparation and implementation of the project. They were both members of upper and middle management, but also ordinary employees. The implementation of the project was commenced in December 2004 and its completion is planned for August 2007. In October 2006 trial operation of the technology was commenced. At the current time, production capacities are fully utilised and all is proceeding according to plan. The project objectives in the form of protein products from waste materials are achieved in accordance with the planned project values and its time line.

TOMA a. s. took advantage of a void in the biologically degradable wastes market and thereby contributed to a greater protection of the environment. Furthermore, new work positions were created. The benefits for the company are primarily the expansion of offered services and the improved competitiveness of the company in the market.

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IGTT, a. s. manufactures moulds for the manufacture of tyres, laboratory testing and tyre homologation (certification). In the area of tyre test engineering we cooperate with a key customer in the Czech Republic, that extended its product range by the manufacture of large off-road tyres (e.g. for tractors and construction machinery) with a diameter over 2000mm and width over 1000mm. The existing facilities in our testing lab were not equipped for these types of tests, both in terms of methodology and equipment. At the time no other accredited testing facility in Central Europe was able to carry out the testing of these oversized tyres. This void in the market lead us to our own project - the provision of laboratory tests for oversized tyres in the testing lab in Zlín. The preparation process at IGTT, a.s consisted of two main objectives: • the creation of a construction design of the testing machine for oversized tyres, the creation of testing procedures and the appropriate programme facilities.

The selection procedure conditions of the machine supplier were very strict. It consisted of a demanding construction of a machine, related to the dimensions, weight and loading power of the oversized tyres, while adhering to very short supply deadlines. A knowledge of the issues and experience in the development of methodologies in related fields was a condition for the successful development of an innovative technology for an as yet unmapped area of oversized tyres. Since the installation and "activation" of the machine, which took place directly in the testing lab hall in Zlín, the machine has been running non-stop for several months.

The implementation of the project had a substantial benefit for our company and not only from the view of finances, where the results of the project increased revenues by 31%, increased our cash flow and provided further resources for further financing and the rejuvenation of our machinery. A further non-financial benefit is the fact that our laboratory testing facility became the only accredited testing facility in Central Europe capable of handling the testing of these oversized tyres. (Source: CzechInvest).