With the establishment of Holst Centre in 2006 by imec (Belgium) and TNO (Netherlands), expertise in wireless sensor technologies and flexible electronics merged under one roof at the High Tech Campus Eindhoven. Sharing specific knowledge in an open structure makes it possible to align research and innovation with social issues in health & vitality, energy and climate, and mobility and industry 5.0. To help solve those societal challenges, Holst Centre connects the Dutch Brainport region with a global ecosystem of industrial and academic partners. By using the expertise, knowledge, and technologies of TNO and imec, technological innovations are developed so that partner companies can bring them to the market. Holst Centre now has over 200 employees.
In addition to coordinating ECOTRON, Holst Centre is also developing new technologies with aim to make functional electronics more sustainable.
VTT is a visionary research, development and innovation partner and one of the leading research organisations in Europe. Our core mission is to develop sustainable solutions for our customers and for society. VTT’s main role is to promote the utilisation and commercialisation of research and technology in business and society. Through science and technology, we turn global challenges into sustainable solutions for business and society in a responsible way. Our research, development and innovation activities are divided into three business areas: Carbon neutral solutions, Sustainable products and materials, and Digital technologies.
VTT is a research partner in ECOTRON. VTT’s role in the project is to develop, test and increase the level of sustainability in materials and technologies utilized in fabrication of printed electronics applications.
CEA is a key player in research, development and innovation in Europe. CEA’s Flexible and Structural Electronics facility deals with the development of printed / flexible / stretchable devices (sensors, actuators, transistors, antennas, etc.) and their integration in various smart objects. The facility includes a 1000m2 clean room, with the possibility of functionalizing 320mm x 380mm substrates (glass, polymer, paper, etc.), using front end (various printing techniques, plasma treatment, laser ablation) and back-end processing (encapsulation, packaging, assembly), thin-film technologies (PVD, CVD, ALD techniques) and thermoforming, together with simulation and device characterization.
In ECOTRON, CEA participates as technology provider by developing a reversible and reusable interconnection and integrating it in the use-cases. It also contributes to the design of the test vehicles for the developed technologies.
ITENE is a research centre with cutting-edge knowledge and technology focused on generating scientific and technological knowledge that is transferred to companies through R&D and innovation projects as well as through consultancy, testing and training services. With more than 3,000 square metres dedicated to laboratories and pilot plants located in the surroundings of Valencia (Spain), ITENE delivers solutions in four main areas: sustainable materials and technologies for the circular economy; design, safety and functionality in packaging; chemical exposure and air quality monitoring; and transport, mobility and logistics.
In ECOTRON, ITENE will work on the development of the bio-based and carbon-based compostable conductive inks. In addition, ITENE will perform the life cycle analyses of all generations of the use-cases and assess the compostability of the different components.
Signify (formerly known as Philips Lighting) is the clear market leader in lighting industry with recognized expertise in the development, manufacturing and sale of innovative, energy-efficient lighting luminaires, systems, and services. For more than 125 years we have pioneered breakthroughs in lighting and been the driving force for many innovations. Our track record in innovation is strong and we invest heavily in R&D to stay at the forefront of technological developments. Signify strives for continued innovation in LED lighting and we are leading the industry expansion to LED luminaires and lighting systems in both the professional and consumer markets. Our position as the industry leader in connected lighting, makes Signify the lighting company for the Internet of Things (IoT). Our purpose is to unlock the extraordinary potential of light for Brighter Lives and a Better World.
Signify, with a use case in ECOTRON, will contribute to create a more sustainable printed light panel for consumer and professional applications.
At BD, we’re committed to providing our pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners with drug delivery systems and solutions that help to derisk development and to shorten timelines. We mobilize our global resources to simplify the technical, medical, regulatory, and manufacturing complexities you face as you bring your combination product to market. Our innovative prefillable syringes, self-injection systems, and safety and shielding devices are designed to improve the lives of patients and care providers—while adapting to the complex requirements for today’s combination products. Trust BD experience and expertise to support your success from development to market, and beyond.
Together with ECOTRON R&D partners, BD will help develop a new, more sustainable, on-body subcutaneous drug delivery system.
Johnson and Johnson, the holding of which Janssen is an affiliate, is one the world’s most comprehensive and broadly-based manufacturers of health care products. The more than 230 Johnson and Johnson operating companies employ more than hundred thousand men and women in 57 countries and sell health care products and medical devices throughout the world. The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson and Johnson are one of the leading developers of pharmaceutical therapeutic solutions in the world. At Janssen, we’re creating a future where disease is a thing of the past. We are working tirelessly to make that future a reality for patients everywhere by fighting sickness with science, improving access with ingenuity, and healing hopelessness with heart.
In ECOTRON, Janssen will participate in the development of a new technological solution for smart packaging. The flexible organic printable electronics will be used to track the storage temperature of drugs and/or vaccines throughout the whole supply chain process.
Técnicas Reunidas (TR) is an international general contractor, engaged in engineering, design and construction of industrial facilities for a broad spectrum of customers throughout the world. Most of its business is concentrated on large turnkey industrial projects, although it also provides engineering, management, start-up and operating services for industrial plants. TR Division of Proprietary Technology Development undertakes industrial plants based on in-house developed technologies and processes for its clients. Some of our relevant technologies are focused on non-ferrous metal and critical raw material recovery, plastic recycling and biomass valorization among others. In particular, TR is a global benchmark in zinc solvent extraction.
In ECOTRON, TR will endeavor research, development and integration of novel processes to recover metals and polymers that will be part of more sustainable functional electronics. TR will also provide the preliminary design of a future printed electronics recycling plant.
The Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI) is one of the most outstanding universities in Europe. Founded in 1863, it is the largest school of architecture, industrial design and engineering in Italy. The University has always focused on the quality and innovation of its teaching and research, developing a fruitful relationship with business and productive world by means of experimental research and technological transfer. Research has always been linked to didactics and it is a priority commitment which has allowed Politecnico Milano to achieve high quality results at an international level as to join the university to the business world. Research constitutes a parallel path to that formed by cooperation and alliances with the industrial system.
POLIMI will contribute to ECOTRON objectives by developing new bio-based materials, organic and waterborne inks and novel eco-friendly printing processes.
Polar believes that what we do can help improve the quality of millions of lives around the world – and this is what drives us. Part of the Polar R&D is Polar Research Center that consists of our in-house team of experts from technology, physiology, health sciences, coaching and data science. The center carries out innovative studies in the fields of wearable technology, sports sciences, physical activity and sleep, and our team is actively involved in research collaborations globally. Polar technology is used in over 1300 scientific studies annually; Polar Research Library includes a total of 11500 science references since 1984.
Polar’s role in the ECOTRON project, as an end-user, is to provide knowledge and insights to research partners with aim to develop new technology solutions for wearable activity tracking devices.
AMIRES is a consulting company for research, development and innovation projects. Our main strength is the creation of new international sustainable partnerships within innovation focused value chains. AMIRES activities focus mainly on the following strategic fields: Energy Efficiency, Additive Manufacturing, Photonics, Flexible Electronics, and Regenerative Medicine and Medical Devices. Our projects remain the main enablers for industrial clients and their growth and provide the important opportunities for R&D community.
In ECOTRON, AMIRES is responsible for communication and dissemination activities, as well administrative management of the project.