The city supports 4 product or process innovations in SMEs, with max 60.000 euros per project

Circular economy Digital innovation Innovation Sustainability
In March this year, the city launched another call to innovate products or processes within SMEs. By the end of May, the city received nine project proposals in total. Six applicants were selected to present their innovations to an independent jury. Four projects were chosen after the pitch, each receiving a maximum of 60.000€ in financial support. In addition, each entrepreneur will be assigned a mentor from Business & Innovation who will follow up on the project and match the innovators with relevant parties, allowing them to focus entirely on accelerating the realisation of their project.

© 4 product- or process innovations in SMEs, supported by the city

4 product- or process innovations in SMEs, supported by the city
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Four innovative projects to be finalized by July 2026

Six of the nine projects submitted were selected for further review. The entrepreneurs presented their innovative solutions to reduce pollution, increase circularity, or make SMEs smarter and safer. An independent jury of Business & Innovation collaborators and two external experts selected four projects focusing on wastewater treatment, monitoring shutdowns and restarts in an industrial environment, the production of 3D-printed circular furniture and improving occupational safety with AI.

The projects are now being launched and developed. In July 2026, the projects should be operational. A total budget of 182.200€ has been divided between the investment expenses of these projects, enabling entrepreneurs to grow and contribute to the competitive position of industrial SMEs in Antwerp.

Selected projects

MTD nv | Pilot plant for wastewater treatment

MTD nv treats a wide range of wastewater from the maritime sector and industry. The company specialises in hydrocarbon mixtures, such as diesel, petrol and petroleum. To treat micro-pollutants, MTD nv is entering into partnerships with specialist companies to develop a sustainable solution for complex wastewater treatment. With the support of the City of Antwerp, MTD nv plans to invest in a pilot plant to tackle the PFAS issue, among others. This investment will be integrated into MTD nv's existing treatment process.

Axel & Anick Van Triest | mtd.be | +32 477 75 69 07 | anick.vantriest@htctc.com

 

Aloxy | Monitoring solution to manage safe shutdown and start-up procedures

Aloxy, a scale-up from The Beacon, is developing an 'Internet of Things' solution to help isolate industrial plants safely and efficiently. Using wireless sensors, it is possible to monitor the status of pitch pans and manual valves, allowing for the safe and efficient shutdown and restart of a chemical plant after maintenance. With the support of the City of Antwerp, the software will undergo further development, and initial tests will be conducted in collaboration with industrial partners.

Jan Coppens | aloxy.io | jan.coppens@aloxy.io

 

TOGIGI | 3D-printed, circular furniture based on microalgae

TOGIGI is an experimental studio where research and material experimentation form the basis for creating innovative objects. With the city's support, TOGIGI aims to launch a new concept that converts residual flows from agricultural waste, such as cow manure, through a reaction with microalgae into a biomass that serves as the basis for a biopolymer suitable for 3D printing. This process uses only natural organisms, enabling the production of 100% biodegradable furniture and objects. TOGIGI will collaborate with local farmers and bioengineers to develop this sustainable, circular material.

Thomas Van Noten draws inspiration from nature. This new research into materials using microalgae fits perfectly with his ongoing search for innovative manufacturing processes.

Thomas Van Noten | togigi.com | +32 479 38 49 74 | info@togigi.com

 

Vision On Safety | Using AI to improve occupational safety

Vision On Safety is a start-up based at The Beacon that uses technological innovation to improve occupational safety within industrial SMEs. With the support of the City of Antwerp, the company aims to use AI to automate the creation of safety instruction cards. This will ensure consistent quality and enable the cards to be provided in different languages.

Han D’haes | visiononsafety.com | +32 473 88 01 95 | han@visiononsafety.com

Frederic De Schepper | +32 478 98 21 09 | Frederic@visiononsafety.com

The city of Antwerp encourages entrepreneurs to innovate

In total, the city has already invited entrepreneurs 13 times to submit innovative projects in the digital, circular and health economy, in the fields of fashion and design or to future-proof products or processes in SMEs. In addition, the city is already 5 years supporting innovative projects in the diamond sector.

So far, 675 companies have submitted a project, and 82 entrepreneurs have received financial support to accelerate their innovation. The total budget of all this support is 5.2mio €.

Meet all Antwerp innovators

Would you like to find out more about the innovations the city of Antwerp has already supported?

You can find an overview of them, organised by year and by domain.

Meet all Antwerp Innovators

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