Industry and research centres sign a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation

Closer cooperation between Flemish industry and four strategic research centres to accelerate the translation of research into practical applications within businesses. To this end, the industry federations and research centres signed a declaration of commitment, in the presence of Minister-President Matthias Diependaele, during the ninth Industry Forum held at the West Flemish textile company Sioen Industries in Ardooie.

Broad cooperation between industry and research

The memorandum was signed by representatives of the four Flemish industrial federations (Fevia Vlaanderen, Fedustria, Agoria Vlaanderen and essencia Vlaanderen) and the four Flemish Strategic Research Centres (Flanders Make, imec, VITO and VIB).

With this agreement, the parties involved commit to structurally strengthening cooperation in research, development and innovation. The initiative forms part of a broader ambition to enhance the competitiveness of Flemish industry.

Focus on faster implementation

A key objective of the memorandum is to reduce the time between research results and their application in businesses. At present, there is often still a considerable delay between development and implementation.

The signatories therefore commit to:

• aligning research activities even more closely with specific industrial needs
• intensifying cooperation between businesses and research organisations
• stimulating knowledge exchange and joint projects
• accelerating the implementation of innovative technologies in businesses

Through this approach, the partners aim to strengthen the commercialisation of research and ensure that innovation is put into practice more quickly.

Structural anchoring of cooperation

The memorandum lays the foundation for a more structural and long-term collaboration between industry and research in Flanders. The parties involved wish to better align their expertise and infrastructure and make maximum use of their complementary strengths.

This collaboration should contribute to a more efficient innovation ecosystem, in which businesses gain faster access to relevant knowledge and technology.

High-tech made human

Within this partnership, Flanders Make contributes by translating industrial needs into research programmes and supporting companies in the implementation of new technologies.

As the research centre for industrial innovation, Flanders Make works closely with companies and academic partners to develop and implement technological solutions.