Competition details

The university challenge is a two-step process:

Step 1: Initial submission – Concept proposal
Students are invited to submit a concept proposal that outlines the core of their idea.

The concept proposal must include (and should reflect the criteria below):

• Concept proposal in brief – Summarise your idea in 3–5 sentences. Clearly describe the proposed application, the problem it solves, and the potential use of metal powder.
• Basic functionality – Briefly explain how the application works. How would metal powder be used in practice?
• Performance & efficiency benefits – How does your idea improve performance or efficiency compared to conventional solutions (e.g. stronger, lighter, more durable, or cost-effective)?
• Sustainability impact – How does your idea contribute to environmental and resource efficiencies (e.g. replacing conventional materials, reducing waste, enabling circular economy solutions)?
• Novelty – What makes your application new or different? Why is this not already common practice?
• Market need & target industry – Which industry (or industries) could benefit from your idea, and what market need does it address?

All required information must be entered directly into the application form fields. You may also upload a PDF as a supporting document if you wish.

Then from all submitted concept proposals, the jury will evaluate entries based on the challenge criteria. The most promising concepts will be shortlisted as finalists.

Before you prepare your concept proposal, keep in mind that the jury will evaluate entries based on four key criteria:

• Innovation – is the idea new or a novel use of metal powder?
• Feasibility – could it realistically be developed and implemented?
• Sustainability impact – does it replace conventional materials, reduce waste, lower energy use, or enable circular economy solutions?
• Industry relevance – does it address a clear market need or opportunity, in a sector where metal powders are not yet widely used?

Step 2: Final submission: blueprint/design

If your concept is selected as a finalist, you will be invited to develop a full blueprint of your application.

Your final blueprint must include:

• Technical drawings or CAD sketches
• Detailed explanation of how the application works
• What powder to use?
• Supporting analysis (performance, feasibility, sustainability benefits, etc.)

This should then be submitted to Höganäs for final review and all final submissions will be evaluated by the jury. Winners will be selected based on innovation, feasibility, sustainability, and industry relevance.

• Open to participants worldwide
• Participants can join individually or in groups (up to four people)
• You may submit more than one proposal per person or group
• The competition language is English, and the competition proposals must be submitted in English
• Must be submitted by the stated deadline, through the official challenge website
• Late submission will be disqualified automatically
• Höganäs’ employees and their family members are not eligible to participate
• Entries will not be returned after the competition
• Submissions that have previously won awards cannot be submitted
• Submission that does not meet the requirements of the guidelines and rules or that do not include all the required information will be disqualified
• Ideas related to the subject areas listed below will not be considered, as Höganäs already possesses established expertise and solutions in these fields. Participants are encouraged to submit proposals focusing on new, unexplored, or complementary applications instead

All rights remain the sole property of Höganäs and all publications are subject to approval of Höganäs.

The participant(s) authorises Höganäs to use the submissions in any applicable form, digital or mechanical, to inform about the results of the competition and present any selected submission in any of Höganäs communication and any media concerning the competition. This includes press communications, newsletters, internet pages, exhibitions and printed materials.

By participating in the challenge, the participants agree that the IP rights for the winning applications will be transferred to Höganäs AB.

Under no circumstances will Höganäs be held responsible for the payment of royalties or other charges in connection with the activities.
The participant agrees not to hold Höganäs responsible for any claims concerning the competition entry in this respect. The participant undertakes the task of ascertaining that 1) to the best knowledge of the participant the competition entry is not infringing any intellectual property rights like copyrights, trademarks, designs, patents, utility models or any other intellectual property rights (hereinafter referred to as IPR) of any third party; and 2) the competition entry is an original idea. Höganäs is not held responsible if the competition entry infringes on third-party IPR.