Technology Transfer:

Technology Evaluation and Selection

Questions for Analyzing the Appropriateness of a Closed-System Technology

Check-List

 

By: United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

 

General

  • Where does the licensor believe the product and technology are positioned in relation to the product and technology life-cycles ?

  • Has the technology owner been long in the business of coatings ?  What ranges of coatings are offered ?

  • Does the candidate product belong to the latest generation of coatings for miscellaneous exteriors ?  Is the coating technology unique?  If not, how competitive is it with other coatings of the same category in terms of price?  What sales ranking does the product have ?  Is the technology owner  a leader in the coatings field ?

  • Is/was the product covered by a patent  in the licensor’s home market ?  Are there established product standards for this category of products in the licensor’s home market ?

 

 

Project features

  • Product types and range in the context of demand in the host country

  • Site suitability with regard to the application of the technology

  • Scope for project phasing

  • Volume sensitivity of the product to cost of production.

Product specifications, product-mix and outputs

  • Suitability of product with respect to prevailing national and international standards for similar products and suitability of technology

  • Product specifications in relation to the entrepreneur’s “positioning” and “segmentation” of the product in the market-place.

  • Product mix capabilities of the technology; product adaptability.

  • Suggested current mix; ease with which output can be varied and product specifications changed.

  • Product packaging requirements and design design features.

  • Product quality determination standards

  • Customer convenience features

  • Consumer safety profile of the product

  • Patent-related advantages (if product is patented and/or if there are competing patented products)

  • Product design that allows easier recycling or disposal as conventional  solid waste rather than hazardous waste.

 

 

Raw materials

  • Suitability of local raw materials; or identification of critical raw materials; or identification of critical raw materials and minimum specifications.

  • Variability possible in raw material specifications, i.e. quality trade-offs; possibilities of determining suitability by laboratory tests/pilot-planting/process simulation.

  • Assurances of availability and supply of ancillary raw materials and products such as catalysts, which are outside the control of the technology recipient.

  • Features of transportability stability of raw and auxiliary materials, hazards, containers, transportation modes, loading/unloading requirements, warehousing.

 

 

Energy forms and utilities 

  • Intensity of energy usage in the production system.

  • Preferred energy forms and combinations, i.e. steam, electric power, fuel oil, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) etc.

  • Other process/production  utilities required, e.g. water and air

  • Desired features of utilities (pressures, temperatures) and  means of obtaining them.

  • Interchangeability of energy forms, and plant design in relation thereto.

  • Environmental consequences (air, water and soil) of alternative fuels and the extent to which the use of a particular fuel