B-SMARTT!
Additive manufacturing as catalyst for the circular economy
Challenge
Given the finite nature of resources and the environmental impact of extraction, including climate change and pollution, the need for a transition from a linear to a circular economy is evident.
It’s crucial to take action to separate consumption of finite materials from economic growth.
However, businesses face challenges in adopting these circular principles.
Technology (i.c. additive manufacturing) plays a key role in implementing the 9R strategy, a cornerstone of the circular economy.
Solution
B-SMARTT! supports SMEs in the Flanders - Netherlands border region in their transition from a linear to a circular economy by:
- Providing access to expert knowledge regarding materials, validation methods and AM techniques.
- Supporting the development of innovation projects: from idea to marketable result.
Team
bSMARTT! is a collaboration between Ghent University, Antwerp University, Maastricht University, Tenco DM (BE - Genk), 3D Maastricht (NL - Maastricht) and DC Venturing (BE - Antwerp). The project is funded by the European Union through the Interreg Vlaanderen-Nederland program.
Our Role
DC Venturing’s role in this project is to create an open business ecosystem as the intended market for the B-SMARTT! Expert knowledge and to design a collaborative innovation program that results in at least 6 feasible business cases.
More info on the project: Website B-SMARTT!