Cleantech
1. Intense concentration of cleantech activities in Flemish-Brabant
Flemish-Brabant hosts a significant number of companies with core activities in cleantech. More than 200 companies in Flemish-Brabant and Brussels are active in this broad technological field, which, in addition to its focus on renewable energy and the classic environmental technologies such as water and soil decontamination, also encompasses sustainable chemistry, renewable materials and products, integrated production processes such as smart grids, electrical vehicles, etc.
Important industrial players located in Flemish-Brabant include Photovoltech, LMS, M4E, Triphase, IPCOS, Inspyro, EconCore, Derbigum, SITA, Huntsman and Waterleau.
These are examples of companies which have specialised in a specific cleantech domain, ranging from solar cell manufacturing, over advanced process control and rapid product development for power electronics to the development of lightweight structures. The company Waterleau is one of the few global players with a complete portfolio of water, air and waste treatment, and energy recovery applications.
In addition, various multinationals with cleantech activities have their R&D centres in Flemish-Brabant, such as Toyota, Desmet Ballestra, Eternit and Johnson Controls.
2. Strong focus on cleantech-related research activities
Cleantech-related research fields have a strong presence within the research centres in the province. At the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), imec and K.U.Leuven, as well as at their partners, there are dozens of research groups active in cleantech. Their number is increasing from year to year. Research is very diverse, ranging from water and air purification by using membrane technology, over bio-fuels and ecodesign to additive manufacturing and the efficient production of biomass. Top cleantech research is conducted in innovative developments such as sustainable lightweight materials, thermophotovoltaic solar cells , sustainable manufacturing, cradle-to-cradle technologies and smart micro grids.
There are also various research bodies for which cleantech is an important element of their core research activities. Examples include WTCB (building research), Laborelec (electrical power technology) and IBBT (broadband technology).
3. Strong collaboration initiatives
Flemish-Brabant and Brussels knowledge institutions and companies actively engage in collaboration initiatives to develop innovative technologies in cleantech :
“ESToMad” or “Energy Software Tools for Sustainable Machine Design” seeks to downsize energy use by 30%, “Linear” aims to build up experience in setting up smart grids, “Enhanced Landfill Mining” aims to make effective use of materials and energy coming from landfills, “Green touch” works to develop energy-efficient data networks and “Brussels Green Tech” seeks to promote new technologies for water purification, waste prevention, biotechnology for environmental protection, rational energy use and renewable energy sources and the manufacture of eco products.
These are just some examples of an integrated cooperation between the various entities.
For more information about our Cleantech actvities, please contact Wouter Florizoone - Business Developer Cleantech at wouter.florizoone@flanderssmarthub.be or give him a call at +32 485 34 50 70.