ABOUT THE PARTNERS
Flanders Make
Flanders Make is the Applied research Center for the Flemish manufacturing industry, with the aim to increase its international competitive strength. By doing so, we keep companies in Flanders and at the same time attract foreign businesses. We support both SMEs and large manufacturing companies with industry-driven, pre-competitive and excellent research in the application domains of products (vehicles and machines) and production/assembly. We deliver concrete innovations in vehicle industry, in mechanical engineering and in production environments. By contributing to the technological development of the vehicles, machines and factories of the future, we create added value for the manufacturing industry. In the networks of companies, knowledge institutions and governments that we create for this purpose, we anticipate and tackle the challenges ahead.
AMAC
AMAC is an Industrial and Business Consulting Company in the field of lightweight construction materials based in Aachen, Germany. The business model of AMAC is based on three pillars: establishment and development of networking and clusters between universities and industrial companies, training in Sales and Marketing excellence as well as management of industrial projects in the field of innovations and commercialization. Dr. Michael Effing is Chairman of the board of the trade associations Composites Germany and AVK.
CHILL
CHILL is a dynamic innovation center dedicated to fostering talent development in the fields of chemistry, materials, and biotechnology. By seamlessly integrating education and industry, CHILL inspires young individuals and showcases the myriad opportunities within the Limburg region, aiming to boost enrollment in relevant educational domains and contribute to a thriving, sustainable future.
At CHILL's state-of-the-art innovation labs, students from vocational (MBO), applied sciences (HBO), and research universities (WO) collaborate on projects that drive the sustainability of both SMEs and large enterprises. These labs provide young entrepreneurs with the resources and expertise needed to realize their ambitions.
Furthermore, CHILL serves as an incubator for regional talent, aligning educational offerings with industry demands. Through lifelong development programs, CHILL equips future leaders and employees with the skills necessary for success, encapsulated in their motto: "empowering tomorrow's talent."
Actively participating in various grant programs, CHILL stimulates innovation and fosters collaboration between educational institutions and businesses. Notable grants programs (projects) include Interreg Meuse Rhine (CYPRESS), OPZuid (Print the planet Green, Kennis in Kunststoffen, Circulaire en modulaire woningen voor de sociale woningbouw, etc.), JTF (Healix, Closed loop big bag recycling), EU Horizon (Syschemiq), and more.
By bridging the gap between education and industry, CHILL plays a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future in the sectors of chemistry, materials, and biotechnology.
Werecircle
Werecircle is a circular economy consulting and project management organization based in Belgium, guiding organizations toward circular entrepreneurship. The core activities of werecircle focus on developing and implementing innovative strategies for product and material reuse, engaging enterprises in sustainable ecosystems, and fostering collaboration across value chains to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. Werecircle offers tailored solutions for businesses seeking to embed sustainability in their operations. These include knowledge-sharing sessions, business development strategies, pilot projects, and matchmaking services to build partnerships and enhance circular value chains. To achieve this, werecircle actively collaborates with research institutions, industry leaders, social economy actors, and public entities. The organization is committed to creating a livable world for future generations by combining strategic guidance with practical action to deliver measurable, sustainable impact.
The werecircle project team is led by Alicja Plevoets and includes automotive expert Luc Schepers and co-founders Anne Froidmont and Geert Vaes.
Technifutur®
Technifutur® is a competence center for students, job seekers and iworkers. Our main activities are focused on technological, digital and mobility trainings. Technifutur® is active in different domains including assembly, automation, design, energy and environment, image and multimedia, IT, maintenance, measurements and controls, micro-technologies, management, industrial techniques, machining, etc
As the largest Vocational Education Training (VET) Center in Wallonia, Technifutur® has access to a wide panel of internal and external experts to organize trainings and events. The competence center has many remarkable equipments at the cutting edge of technology.
In 2023, 17.854 people have been trained or raised awareness on technologies at Technifutur®. This activity represents 804 different customers all over Belgium and border countries.
Technifutur® has great experience in Interreg EMR projects (Microbiomed, QRM4.0, LV2025, Cypress), Interreg Great Region projects (FRED and PAE) and Interreg West Europe project (GreenskHy).
The impacts of ecological transition (new motorization) and the digital transition (autonomous vehicle) are one of our main challenges. Thanks to the Cypress project, Technifutur® will upskill all its technical hand-on training courses to include the impact of the sustainability including circular economy.
ITA
ITA Technologietransfer GmbH from Aachen is your partner in the field of research and development with a focus on fibre composites, man-made fibre technology, textile mechanical engineering, biohybrid & medical textiles as well as for technology transfer to other branches of industry. The company offers industry comprehensive solutions to problems along the textile value chain and provide transfer support. With the established Innovation management, the company closes the gap between research and industry. Whether novel materials, innovative technologies or efficient processes, customers advantage is to get everything from a single source.
Automotive NL
Automotive NL (RAI Automotive Industry NL) is the Dutch innovation cluster for the automotive and mobility industry, based in Helmond, The Netherlands. With a focus on six strategic programs —Smart Mobility, Enabling Technologies, Manufacturing, Design & Materials, Human Capital & Internationalization— RAI Automotive Industry NL connects companies, knowledge institutes and government bodies to drive sustainable and innovative solutions for the mobility sector. Activities include facilitating international missions, organizing industry workshops, supporting project development through its program office and promoting the Dutch automotive industry's expertise worldwide.
For more information please visit: www.rai-automotiveindustry.nl
Liège University
The Department of Aerospace and Mechanics of the University of Liège is the heir to a long tradition of cutting-edge research in the field of digital mechanics applied to aerospace and mechanics. In addition, the department has also developed experimental research in mechanical production systems, energy and propulsion for aircraft and land vehicles. The Automotive Engineering Group Laboratory research group is in charge of the specific application of this fundamental research to the automotive field, with strong axes in the field of computer-aided structural and transmission design, but also in the design and prototyping of innovative propulsion systems. During the project, the Automotive Engineering Laboratory will lead the selection of outstanding demonstrators that will demonstrate the potential for mass reduction and CO2 emissions. The University of Liège also puts its experience at the service of research into innovative concepts with a view to reducing the weight of selected systems and components by using design and optimisation methods derived from the most recent research.