Antwerp Chem-Tech Connect
Where Antwerp’s chemistry meets technology: an evening of inspiration, matchmaking and a walking dinner at The Beacon. Antwerp Chem-Tech Connect brings together the ChemTech and PortTech innovation ecosystems. From emerging start-ups and scale-ups to established industry players, the event creates opportunities to exchange perspectives, explore shared challenges and build new collaborations.
Antwerp's Tech Ecosystems
ChemTech is the world of chemical innovation. Around BlueChem, Antwerp’s hub for innovation in sustainable chemistry, start-ups, scale-ups and established chemical companies work on themes such as electrified molecules, urban mining, biotech in niche applications, process development and carbon-based advanced materials.
PortTech is the world of technology for port, maritime, logistics and industry. Around The Beacon, Antwerp’s innovation hub for these sectors, start-ups, scale-ups, technology providers and established industry players develop and deploy solutions in AI, robotics and drones, cybersecurity, sensors and more.
Where the two ecosystems meet
Both ecosystems are in full transformation, driven by the energy transition, circularity, digitalisation and the need for more resilient operations. Many of the answers lie at the crossroads, for example:
- Electrification and energy: new electrified chemical processes combined with sensing, data and smart energy management.
- Circularity: urban mining and recycling combined with tracking, sorting technology and smarter material flows through the port.
- Process development and scale-up: modelling, simulation and data that help move new processes from pilot to production faster.
- Safe and resilient operations: drones, robotic inspection and cybersecurity that protect people, plants and infrastructure.
Agenda
- 16:00 Welcome reception: registration, welcome drink and first contacts
- 16:30 Welcome words: by the partners and Alderman Johan Klaps
- 16:45 Catalisti deep dive: Future-proof Processes in Catalisti's Innovation Roadmap, by Mathias Jacobs
- 17:15 Keynote: Two ecosystems, one future: Chemistry meets Tech by Marijke Verhavert (TomorrowLab)
- 17:45 Wrap-up: short Q&A and an introduction to the matchmaking
- 18:00 Networking event: walking dinner with scheduled one-to-one meetings
- 20:00 End
Why attend?
Connect across ecosystems
Step outside your usual network. Meet start-ups, scale-ups, established companies and knowledge partners from both ChemTech and PortTech.
Navigate change, unlock opportunities
Get a clear view of where the sector is heading in the Catalisti deep dive on Future-proof Processes from the Innovation Roadmap, illustrated with a practical case.
In her keynote Two ecosystems, one future: Chemistry meets Tech, Marijke Verhavert of TomorrowLab then zooms in on change itself: how do you connect two ecosystems that are both in full transition, and let them make each other stronger?
An initiative of the City of Antwerp, BlueChem and The Beacon, with the support of Catalisti.