The University of Antwerp plays a central role in driving innovation in Flanders. Located in the heart of Europe, Antwerp is a prime economic hub, powered by its second largest port, and the largest chemical cluster in Europe. As a result, its university is uniquely positioned to provide well-trained professionals and groundbreaking innovations, and foster collaboration between research, business, and society.
While the university is active across various domains, it particularly excels in three highly relevant areas that align with the strengths of Antwerp’s ecosystem:
- Sustainable chemistry and materials
- Metropolitanism and smart cities
- Infectious diseases and environmental health
To foster innovation in these areas, the University of Antwerp actively engages with open innovation hubs BlueApp and The Beacon, as well as the state-of-the-art Vaccinopolis facility. These hubs provide spaces where researchers, entrepreneurs, businesses, and policymakers can come together, discuss, collaborate, and transform ideas into real-world solutions.
BlueApp
BlueApp is making waves in Flanders’ innovation landscape by leading the way in sustainable chemistry and materials. The hub provides advanced facilities, including analytical labs, a maker space, and pilot plants for electrified processes. These facilities, together with the expertise and talent from UAntwerp, enable researchers, entrepreneurs, and companies to derisk their innovations and bring them from the laboratory to the industry. BlueApp is also home to innovative companies like University of Antwerp’s spin-offs Oxylum and D-CRBN, which are developing unique CO2 utilisation technologies to combat climate change.
At the heart of BlueApp’s mission is its role as the home of the Electrification Institute, a groundbreaking initiative focused on electrifying chemical processes. This institute represents a major shift from traditional fossil fuel-based methods (“petro”) to electrical energy-driven processes (“electro”). By hosting the Electrification Institute, BlueApp enhances its capacity to support cutting-edge research in electrochemistry, plasma chemistry and power-to-heat technologies, driving both economic and environmental progress.
In an ecosystem increasingly focused on circularity and sustainability, BlueApp and the Electrification Institute are at the forefront of advancing sustainable chemistry and materials. They provide the tools and expertise needed to shape a cleaner, more sustainable future, both in Flanders and beyond.
Vaccinopolis
Vaccinopolis is a state-of-the-art facility for clinical vaccine trials, located on the University of Antwerp’s Campus Drie Eiken. Supported by the federal government, Vaccinopolis is dedicated to accelerate and sustain infectious diseases prevention and control.
The centre focuses on assessing new vaccines and monitoring disease and vaccine effectiveness. It also conducts vital research on maternal immunization and the epidemiology of vaccine-preventable diseases. Additionally, Vaccinopolis plays a key role in communication and education on vaccines, aiming to increase public trust in vaccines.
Equipped with a Controlled Human Infection Model (CHIM) unit, Vaccinopolis allows volunteers to participate in studies simulating real-world infections, enabling more accurate and controlled vaccine trials. The facility also includes laboratories, consultation rooms, and relaxation spaces for volunteers.
With its extensive expertise, the Centre for Evaluation of Vaccination (CEV) at Vaccinopolis has conducted over 500 vaccine trials, both nationally and internationally. This facility serves as a crucial accelerator for developing a comprehensive ecosystem in vaccine research, contributing to global pandemic preparedness and response.
The Beacon
The Beacon is a pre-incubation hub focused on metropolitanism, smart cities, and mobility. This hub was established by six major entities: City of Antwerp, Port of Antwerp, Lantis, the University of Antwerp, Agoria, and Imec. The Beacon serves as a platform that connects innovators with technology companies and public sector partners to address urban challenges and work on innovative solutions.
