Three SMEs drive product and process Innovation with support from the city of Antwerp

Out of six submitted projects, five were shortlisted for presentations. Following a round of Q&A, an independent jury selected three projects to receive the city’s financial investment. These projects must be completed by the end of 2025.

In addition to financial support, the entrepreneurs will receive guidance from Business & Innovation project leaders. These experts will assist them in connecting with suitable partners and companies to realize their innovation successfully.

Antwerpse Brouw Compagnie | Nitrogen from the air to be used in the brewing process

Antwerpse Brouw Compagnie or 'Seef Brewery' - an independent local brewery - is investing in a plant that extracts nitrogen from the outside air. Instead of carbon dioxide [CO₂] - traditionally used to prevent contact between beer and oxygen - the brewery will use nitrogen gas [N₂]. This gas has the same 'protective' properties as CO₂ without the disadvantages of being a greenhouse gas. The brewery will use new technology to filter nitrogen from the outside air and use it as an alternative to CO₂.
It is the first time that this installation, developed and produced by Atlas Copco in Wilrijk, will be used in a Belgian brewery and will lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of up to 90%. 
This investment aligns with the brewery's philosophy of brewing unique, special beers that are consciously produced in an environmentally friendly way.

Johan Van Dyck | www.seef.be | +32 3 293 91 84 | johan@antwerpsebrouwcompagnie.be

Corsio | AI platform facilitates energy sharing

Corsio, a Hoboken-based IT company, will use the funding to develop PWRFULL, an AI-driven platform that facilitates the creation, optimisation and management of energy communities. 
The platform will make energy sharing simple and natural, enabling businesses to produce, consume, and share their renewable energy.

Alain Vandenborne | www.corsio.be | +32 494 57 90 52 | alain.vandenborne@corsio.be

Albe De Coker | Automating the prepress workflow

Albe De Coker, an industrial printing company also based in Hoboken, will use the funding to invest in the automation of its prepress workflow. They are also improving colour consistency across multiple production machines. These innovations will result in shorter lead times, greater efficiency and lower production costs.

Xavier De Coker | www.albedecoker.com | +32 3 830 30 00 | info@albedecoker.com

To date, the city of Antwerp has launched eleven calls to submit innovative projects for financial support in domains such as digitalization, the circular economy, and health, as well as fashion and design. This call had a different focus and invited SMEs to innovate their products or business processes. Furthermore, for the past four years, the city has supported innovation within the diamond sector.

In total, more than 600 projects have been submitted, with 76 entrepreneurs receiving financial support to accelerate their ideas. The total budget for these initiatives exceeds €4,6 million.