About us
Flanders’ catalyst for transformation
Catalisti is the spearhead innovation cluster for the chemicals and plastics industry in Flanders. We bring together industrial companies, knowledge institutions and government to accelerate innovation that strengthens the competitiveness, sustainability and resilience of our industry.
The chemical industry is often referred to as ‘the industry of industries’. From healthcare and food to construction, mobility, energy and consumer goods, virtually every sector depends on chemical products and processes. In Flanders, this role is reinforced by a uniquely dense ecosystem of world-class companies, research institutes, infrastructure and integrated industrial clusters. Catalisti exists to turn this collective strength into impact — transforming ideas into industrial reality.
History
Catalisti was founded in 2017. Its predecessor FISCH was a Flemish innovation platform focused on sustainable chemistry, bringing together companies, research institutes and public actors to stimulate collaborative R&D and innovation. When the Flemish government launched the Spearhead Innovation Cluster (SIC) framework, FISCH evolved into Catalisti.
Our purpose: accelerating innovation to strengthen the Flemish industry.
Our mission is to support the transition towards a sustainable, circular and competitive chemical and plastics industry in Flanders. We do this by reducing dependence on fossil resources, improving resource and energy efficiency, enabling circular value chains, ensuring safe and sustainable products and processes, and helping companies stay competitive in a challenging global and regulatory context.
Innovation is not an abstract goal. It is the key lever to maintain productivity, create added value, safeguard jobs and deliver solutions that society needs — today and tomorrow.
Our role in the ecosystem
Catalisti provides a shared innovation framework for a complex environment. Through our renewed Innovation Roadmap (publication date: end of 2026), we align industry, research and policy around common priorities and long-term trajectories — from molecules to markets.
What we do
Catalisti is a neutral, trusted partner at the heart of the innovation ecosystem. Our activities focus on:
- Brokering collaborative innovation projects and trajectories
- Strengthening existing and creating new value chains
- Supporting start-ups and pioneers
- Collaborating across sectors and clusters
- Collaborating across regions and borders
In addition, Catalisti coordinates Moonshot Flanders, the industry innovation programme that accelerates breakthrough technologies for a climate-neutral industry.
Our community
Catalisti is a non-profit public-private partnership, supported by the Flemish government and driven by its members. Our ecosystem spans the entire chemistry and plastics value chain, including multinationals, SMEs, start-ups, universities, research institutes and international partners.
As one of the seven Spearhead Innovation Clusters in Flanders, we actively collaborate with other clusters to align strategy, co-create projects and strengthen the Flemish innovation landscape.
Why work with Catalisti
Members choose Catalisti because we combine deep sector knowledge with a neutral position, strong networks and hands-on project expertise. We help companies:
- Find the right partners, faster
- Navigate complex innovation and funding landscapes
- Reduce risk in collaborative innovation
- Turn long-term challenges into concrete, collaborative projects
- Create impact beyond individual company boundaries
Independent studies show that cluster membership leads to 2–3% higher productivity on average — a tangible return on collaboration.
Want to make an impact? Join the Catalisti community. Become a member of Catalisti and join a powerful network of innovators.