The car seats of Riversimple Rasa are a bit special. They’re covered in a durable and luxurious PET fabric that looks like suede …
… this high quality material has been manufactured from recycled plastic bottles. It’s just the kind of product choice that reflects our commitment to a supply chain fit for the 21st Century. But this isn’t just about recycling …
Ellen Macarthur first hit the headlines in 2001 when she sailed a racing yacht single-handedly around the world at just 24 years of age. Ellen says that sailing has given her a very real understanding of what it means to rely on a finite supply of resources, as on the boat food, water and fuel are inescapably linked to success or failure. Since then, Ellen has become an ambassador for the Circular Economy, focused upon the big solutions that will conserve resources for the future.
One major step is to design products that last. It’s perfectly possible, but the problem is that durable products are less compatible with business models based upon selling and selling and selling.
Dr. Stafford Lloyd joined Riversimple from Rolls Royce plc. He tells a story about his previous workplace which required the installation of high quality showers to wash off corrosive substances in case of accident. With high safety standards, such accidents were most unlikely and the showers were not expected to need replacing regularly. The manufacturers decided to lease the showers. They installed and carried out regular maintenance for a contractual fee … and business thrived.
In choosing to sell a service, the lasting quality of a product is translated into profit.
As Systems and Sustainability Engineer at Riversimple, Stafford is on a quest to ensure that every component part of the Riversimple supply chain is of long lasting quality. A grant from Innovate UK supports his work in association with existing suppliers and specialists
Eco Design Centre Wales, QSA , KS Composites, Swagelok, Mark Water Pumps
and together they are developing a new business tool. This tool will be able to calculate the financial and environmental implications of sale-of-service for each supplier. Participating companies will be involved in a pilot scheme, that will be run in conjunction with the customer trial of the Riversimple Rasa. It could be a bit of a breakthrough for suppliers considering sale of service and we’ll keep you posted.
Stafford Lloyd on our Hydrogen test rig
Can I buy a RASA?
No but Rasa will be available to you one day soon we hope – through a subscription package, typically of 1 – 3 years. This will mean that
– All kinds of people will be able to choose a fuel cell car and drive away without leaving an invisible trail of pollution
– RASA subscribers won’t need to worry about the big issue of depreciation
– And RASA subscribers won’t have to worry about fuel bills, maintenance, servicing or insurance.
Which we think could be an attractive new proposition for the 21st century. Of course sustainable is possible.