LIST hosts first Partnership Material Day in collaboration with the Wallonia Export and Investment Agency

On Thursday 3 October, the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), in collaboration with the Wallonia Export and Investment Agency (AWEX), Wallonia-Brussels International (WBI), and the Walloon aerospace cluster SKYWIN, successfully hosted the inaugural Partnership Material Day at its facilities in Belvaux and Hautcharage. The event brought together leading professionals in the aerospace industry, R&D institutes, and manufacturers of innovative materials from Luxembourg and Belgium to explore the latest advances in composite materials, coatings, surface treatments, and control and measurement solutions.

Promoting cross-border collaboration

The event aimed to promote the exchange of expertise, gain insights into LIST's capabilities, and foster future partnerships between Luxembourg and Belgium, with a special focus on the aerospace sector.

Around 20 companies from the Wallonia region, with key representatives from the aerospace sector, participated in the event, which featured a full-day programme including visits of LIST laboratories, showcasing cutting-edge equipment and facilities designed for research in material technologies including LIST’s Sustainable Composite Materials and Manufacturing Centre (SCMM), participating in interactive workshops and pitch sessions, and networking opportunities designed to enhance collaboration between the two regions.

“We’re pleased to have hosted the first of what we hope will become an annual event to strengthen ties between Luxembourgish and Belgian institutions and companies,” said Dirk Fransaer, CEO a.i. at LIST. “This event proved to be a significant step towards increasing cooperation in the development of innovative materials, creating joint projects, and driving forward advancements in aerospace technologies.”

The event was also graced by the presence of Charles Delogne, the Belgian Ambassador to Luxembourg. The ambassador's visit primarily focused on the facilities in Belval and emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation in driving innovation and economic growth in both regions.

Frédéric Biava, economic and commercial advisor at the Wallonia Export & Investment Agency said: “In 2019, HRH King Philippe of Belgium made a state visit to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. This visit highlighted the collaboration in the domain of space between Belgium and Luxembourg, particularly in the satellite sector. During the recent state visit by H.R.H. the Grand Duke Henri to Belgium, the space sector was again highlighted during an event at the University of Liège focusing on the defence sector. The close ties between our countries are cultivated on a daily basis at universities, companies and research centres.

Thanks to the support of the Luxembourg-based economic and commercial advisor of the Walloon Export and Foreign Investment Agency (AWEX) and Wallonie-Bruxelles International (WBI), a delegation of Walloon companies and research centres were able to discover LIST's expertise in innovative materials for aerospace applications. This was the perfect opportunity to strengthen innovative sectoral cooperation between the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Belgium/Wallonia.”