Catalisti officially launched

Antwerp, Dec. 19, 2016 - The official launch of the chemistry and plastics spearhead cluster is a fact under the new name Catalisti. The spearhead cluster aims to stimulate sustainable innovations in chemistry and plastics by setting up intensive and cross-sector partnerships between small and large companies, knowledge institutions and government organizations. Almost one hundred companies and all Flemish universities are stepping into the project, together with sector federation essenscia vlaanderen, VITO (Flemish Institution for Technological Research), the research center for the textile industry Centexbel and Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant, the pilot facility for the bio-based industry.

Flemish Minister of Innovation Philippe Muyters launched the new targeted cluster policy earlier this year. This entrepreneur-driven cluster policy should accelerate the transformation of our economic fabric and strengthen the knowledge-driven character of the economy. With the launch of Catalisti, the Chemicals and Plastics spearhead cluster, the Flemish government is making it clear that it chooses to support the chemistry and plastics sector. The new cluster policy opts for strategic domains that match the strengths of Flemish industry and knowledge institutions. Catalisti therefore supports a sector that can make a difference internationally.

Cooperation as the key to success

The new chemistry and plastics spearhead cluster is a triple helix partnership between Flemish industry, the Flemish government and Flemish research institutions. The cluster thus takes up the thread of the expiring initiatives FISCH, Flanders Innovation hub for Sustainable Chemistry, and FPV, Flanders' PlasticVision. Just as within these initiatives, the key to success within Catalisti will be collaboration. Not only cooperation between the triple helix partners, but also cooperation between the different subsectors such as (basic) chemistry, plastics, biotechnology, and finally cooperation between companies. Experience has shown that working according to the principle of open innovation produces results and creates a leverage effect. In recent years, 39 innovation projects have already been launched, accounting for 9 patents and several promising spin-offs. Government and companies jointly invested 25 million euros in this initiative, generating an estimated economic added value of more than 575 million euros, or an economic leverage of 26.

Catalisti uses the Triple F principle

Catalisti consists of a team of domain specialists who cap, facilitate and catalyze innovative projects in the cluster network according to the Triple F principle (Find, Facilitate, Fulfill). Catalisti captures and initiates innovation projects and finds suitable partners focused on sustainable new business opportunities. In addition, Catalisti has competencies and resources to provide specific services and coaching on grant applications. Catalisti also has its own earmarked grant budget to realize and accelerate innovations. Finally, they catalyze collaboration between innovative companies and knowledge institutions to quickly reach concrete solutions.

Catalisti now faces the challenge of transforming the Flemish economy and stimulating the marketing of innovation. The cluster's task is to work with the sector to find and offer solutions to major societal challenges. International cooperation is necessary here since these societal challenges are not limited to the borders of Flanders.

Philippe Muyters, Flemish Minister of Economy and Innovation: "The choice of chemistry and plastics as a spearhead cluster is logical: with this sector, Flanders can make the difference internationally. The challenges are great and Catalisti's task is not self-evident: to constantly know what is going on and above all to bring together the right players to work together on solutions. This can only succeed if there is sufficient openness and trust between all parties involved: government, cluster organization, companies and knowledge institutions. Now it is up to Catalisti to make the ambitious plans a reality!"

Jan Van Havenbergh, managing director Catalisti: "Starting Catalisti as a full-fledged spearhead cluster is an opportunity for the chemical and plastics sector to further strengthen its innovation efforts focused on sustainability and climate and create both economic added value and help achieve Flanders' ecological goals."