Centers of Excellence

In addition to the universities, there are a number of leading institutes in Flanders that conduct research into specific fields ranging from nanotechnology and biotechnology to fuel technologies and mechatronics. Below are brief outlines of seven of those institutes:

IMEC - Nanotechnology
IMEC is a leading research center in nanoelectronics and nanotechnology. Its research focuses on the next generation of chips and systems, and on the enabling technologies for ambient intelligence. IMEC's research bridges the gap between fundamental research at universities and technology development in industry. Its unique balance of processing and system know-how, intellectual property portfolio, state-of-the-art infrastructure and a strong network of companies, universities and research institutes worldwide, positions IMEC as a key partner with which to develop and improve technologies for future systems. Based in Leuven, it has representatives in the US, China and Japan. Its staff of more than 1,300 includes over 400 industrial residents and guest researchers.

VITO – Energy, environment & materials
VITO, the Flemish Institute for Technological Research, conducts customer-oriented contract research and develops innovative products and processes in the fields of energy, the environment and materials for both the public and private sectors. Its work involves vehicle and fuel technologies, environmental toxicology and remote sensing and earth observation among other subjects. Central to all projects are protecting the environment and encouraging sustainable use of energy and raw materials.

VIB – Biotechnology
VIB, the Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology, is a research institute in which 850 scientists and technologists from four Flemish universities conduct gene technology research. VIB’s main objective is gathering innovative basic knowledge on the normal and abnormal or pathological processes occurring in a cell, an organ and an organism (humans, plants, micro-organisms). Research has led to breakthroughs in molecular and cell biology, developmental biology, genetics, cancer biology and cell death, blood vessel formation, inflammatory diseases, immunology, microbiology, neurobiology and Alzheimer’s disease, signal transduction, gene expression and regulation, functional genomics and proteomics, plant growth and development, (plant) systems biology and integrative biology, structure biology and protein structure-function relations. The organization operates a bio-incubator for young biotech companies and its research has resulted in a number of spin-offs.

Flanders Institute for Logistics
The Flanders Institute for Logistics (VIL) was established to provide sustainable support for the industry in the region and to strengthen its competitiveness. The institute’s work is built around studies into transport modes, value-added concepts and technologies, partnerships and to continually chart the region’s logistics industry and platforms. Its research within these areas falls into fall categories: state of affairs studies, strategic working groups, projects in co-operation with other national and international organizations and contract research. The institute has been involved in a number of international studies into new technologies as well as more regionally oriented work. 

Interdisciplinary Institute for BroadBand Technology
IBBT is a research institute founded by the Flemish Government and focused on information and communication technology (ICT) in general, and applications of broadband technology in particular. IBBT's mission is to perform multidisciplinary research at the disposal of the Flemish business community and government. At the end of last year IBBT together with IMEC and a number of businesses founded a knowledge platform on multimedia. Other cooperative ventures include a recently announced research partnership with Alcatel.

Flanders Drive
Flanders Drive aims to strengthen the product development capacity of the automotive supplier industry in the region in order to maintain and enhance its competitiveness on a European and global level. Its Engineering and Test Center offers conceptual design through optimization into testing and validation. Its expertise covers virtual product development to durability testing, environmental testing, road track testing, rubber-to-metal characterization, instrumentation and measurement. It was founded by a number of businesses, including Bekaert, Bosal, LMS International and Tenneco Automotive, and the industry organization Agoria, and is supported by the Flanders Government.

Flanders Mechatronics Technology Center
The Flanders Mechatronics Technology Center was formed in 2003 as an initiative of the industry organization Agoria and leading mechatronic companies in the region, including Atlas Copco, Barco, Bekaert, CNH, Daikin, EADS S&DE, Gilbos, Hansen Transmissions, LVD, Michel Van De Wiele, Packo Inox, Pattyn Packing Lines, Picanol and Spicer Off-Highway. The center performs industry-driven mid-term and long-term research projects in machine diagnosis, modular machines and high-dynamic machines. It works with the Production engineering, Machine design and Automation division (PMA) of Leuven University and also cooperates with the Flanders Drive Engineering Center.