Flemish industry federations aim to speed up translation of research into applications
The four Flemish industry federations want to translate scientific knowledge and research into industrial applications more quickly and efficiently. To this end, they signed a declaration of commitment during the ninth Industry Forum in Ardooie, West Flanders province. “This is how we want to keep our industry competitive,” they stated.
The Industry Forum, a consultation platform between the Flemish government and the industry federations Agoria, essenscia, Fevia and Fedustria, took place on Monday at technical textiles company Sioen in Ardooie. There, in the presence of minister president Matthias Diependaele and together with the four Strategic Research Centres Flanders Make, imec, VIB and VITO, a declaration of commitment was signed.
“We want to accelerate innovation, which is why it is very important that research reaches companies more easily,” said Pol Lombaert of Centexbel, the research centre for the textile and plastics industry. “Because that is where value is created.”
For instance, a project has recently been launched between Centexbel and Flanders Make, the strategic research centre for the Flemish manufacturing industry, to facilitate the selection of materials in plastics processing.
"Suppose you want to produce a car bumper. That involves a machine-building aspect for production, plus a materials science aspect when it comes to strength. Centexbel has the materials expertise, Flanders Make is strong in machinery. Together, we are working on an AI selection tool that combines both components, so that R&D departments of manufacturing companies have easier access to that information."
According to the industry federation, the sector has been under pressure for some time. In the 1990s, Flemish industry still accounted for 20 per cent of Flanders’ gross domestic product; that figure has now fallen to 14 per cent. Nevertheless, with 300,000 jobs, the sector remains highly relevant to the economy. Alongside innovation, energy costs and licensing policy also remain major challenges for the Flemish industry.
#FlandersNewsService | Illustration © BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND
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