Eco-innovation in Belgium - European Commission€¦ · With 0.03% of GDP, Belgian governments R&D outlays in the area of environment and energy is below the EU average. The top scorers

EIO Country Profile

2013

Eco-innovation in Belgium

Eco-innovation in Belgium 1

Eco-Innovation Observatory

The Eco-Innovation Observatory functions as a platform for the structured collection and analysis of an extensive range of eco-innovation information, gathered from across the European Union and key economic regions around the globe, providing a much-needed integrated information source on eco-innovation for companies and innovation service providers, as well as providing a solid decision-making basis for policy development.

The Observatory approaches eco-innovation as a persuasive phenomenon present in all economic sectors and therefore relevant for all types of innovation, defining eco-innovation as:

“Eco-innovation is any innovation that reduces the use of natural resources and decreases the release of harmful substances across the whole life-cycle”.

To find out more, visit www.eco-innovation.eu

Any views or opinions expressed in this report are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the European Commission.


Eco-Innovation Observatory Country Profile 2013: Belgium

Asel Doranova, Technopolis Group

Coordinator of the work package: Technopolis Group Belgium


Acknowledgments

I would like to extend my gratitude to the representatives of the following state authorities and agencies for contributing to the preparation of this report:

• Competitiveness & Innovation Department – Directorate-General for Economy, Employment

and Research at Service public de Wallonie • Agency for innovation through science and technology (IWT) • The Flemish environment agency (VMM), • The Flemish council for science and innovation (VRWI), • Flemish agency for enterprises – Enterprise Flanders (AO), • The public waste agency of Flanders (OVAM) and its Department of Soil Management • The department for environment, nature and energy (department LNE) • I-cleantech vzw, • Flanders knowledge center water (Vlakwa vzw)

A note to Readers

Any views or opinions expressed in this report are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the European Union. A number of companies are presented as illustrative examples of eco-innovation in this report. The EIO does not endorse these companies and is not an exhaustive source of information on innovation at the company level.

This brief is available for downloaded from www.eco-innovation.eu/countries

Comments on this brief are welcomed and can be provided at www.eco-innovation.eu/belgium


Table&of&contents&

Summary .............................................................................................................................................. 5!

1! | Introduction................................................................................................................................... 6!

2! | Eco-innovation performance ....................................................................................................... 7!

3! | Selected eco-innovation areas and new trends......................................................................... 9!

4! | Eco-innovation barriers and drivers in Belgium...................................................................... 11!

5! | Eco-innovation policy landscape.............................................................................................. 13!

6! | Good practice examples ............................................................................................................ 19!


Summary While the environmental performance of Belgium has been improving over time, there is still need for investing in eco-innovative activities. Eco-innovation has been on the rise in 2013, which is demonstrated by the growing number of practical examples from business, research and governmental initiatives.

With a total score of 100,5 in the overall Eco-Innovation Scoreboard 2013, Belgium ranked 10th on the list of EU countries and is right at the EU average. It performed particularly well for the eco-innovation input indicator due to high level of early stage investment in cleantech and eco-innovative businesses. Belgium is also among the top six leaders in the socio-economic outcomes component, showing high performance in eco-industry employment and turnover indicators. In eco-innovation activities, output, and resource efficiency outcomes it was ranked slightly below EU-28 level. Nevertheless, statistics show that Belgium’s material and energy productivity as well as carbon intensity gradually continues to decline. The striking contrast persists between relatively high R&D personnel and a growing number of scientific publications on one hand and a still below average performance in patenting.

There are different landscapes on eco-innovation and policy measures in the Flemish, Walloon and Brussels Capital Regions. In last three years the Flanders Region has progressed well by adopting a more integrated and systemic approach in promoting eco-innovation and transformative innovation in its policies. The region’s Innovation Steering Group on Eco-innovation has contributed insightful recommendations on promoting eco-innovation and facilitating systemic changes.

The Region of Wallonia has been progressing fast in promoting eco-innovation as well. A new Regional Sustainable Development Strategy was adopted in 2013 a well as a number of new initiatives such as “Le Coq Vert”, “Short cycles” Reference Centre", “Circular Economy” Reference Centre, and Green Skills. The sustainable procurement policy has been put place.

The Brussels Capital Region has been developing a sustainable image of the city through its thematic pillars on sustainable transport, housing and neighbourhoods, promoting environmental management and investing in green spaces.

Among the main drivers of the eco-innovation is a growing consensus on sustainability goals both on the policy agenda of each Region as well as among private actors. Another factor is the availability of a strong pool of innovative companies, universities, research labs and well trained human capital such as R&D personnel, engineers and businessmen. Development of green markets for Belgian eco-innovative products have been taking place both locally, as well as in other countries with whom Belgium maintains active trade.


1 | Introduction

Eco-innovation needs and challenges in Belgium are associated with a number of economic and environmental problems. With few natural resources, Belgium depends on substantial imports of raw materials. Its domestic material consumption per capita is above the EU average despite steady but slow improvements in material efficiency in the last decade1.

Primary energy intensity and greenhouse gases emissions have declined in Belgium since 1998, reflecting the decoupling of economic growth and primary energy consumption. However, with its reliance on nuclear (54%) and thermal power plants (39%) the country will soon be facing a major challenge in the expected phasing out of the nuclear energy system. Renewable energy, which is currently a small share, is gathering attention. However, large potential lies in energy efficiency measures. Furthermore, Belgium has a large stock of old buildings requiring improved energy efficiency. The share of single-dwelling stand-alone houses is high. All these contribute to a high energy and material intensity of the housing sector.

Mitigating local environmental problems brings a high potential for eco-innovation. According to the Environmental Performance Index (EPI, 2014) Belgium is ranked the 7th lowest of the EU Member States. Environmental performance has long been affected by high population density and a high level of economic and agricultural activities, particularly in the Flanders region. Among the biggest problems have been the destruction and fragmentation of habitats, which have resulted in biodiversity losses, air pollution and its heavy burden on the ecosystem, and water status. The latter is a result of insufficient sewage wastewater treatment because of disperse habitation, losses from an intensive farming sector and a historical burden of hydromorphological changes and sediment pollution. The share of the population connected to a wastewater treatment has grown to 80%; industrial water contamination continues to decline and the agricultural sector is invested heavily in adjusted manure handling. As a result, the concentration of pollutants in many surface waters has dropped and aquatic life became more abundant. Persistent substances remain however present in many river sediments.

In the coming decades forecasted population growth, intensified industrialisation and urbanisation as well as climate change related problems pose additional challenges for the country. In this context, existing and emerging systemic eco-innovative solutions offer significant potential to improve material productivity as well as overall economic and environmental performance of Belgium.

1EU Resource efficiency scoreboard http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/europe_2020_indicators/ree_scoreboard


2 | Eco-innovation performance

The analysis in this section is based on the EU 28 Eco-innovation scoreboard (Eco-IS) for the year 2013. Eco-IS via its composite Eco-innovation index demonstrates the eco-innovation performance of a country compared with the EU average and with the EU top performers. Eco-IS is based on 16 indicators which are aggregated into five components: eco-innovation inputs, eco-innovation activities and eco-innovation outputs as well as environmental outcomes and socio-economic outcomes

Figure 2.1 EU28 Eco-innovation scoreboard 2013, composite index

Source: EIO, 2013

With a total score of 100,5 in the overall Eco-Innovation Scoreboard 2013, Belgium ranked 10th in the list of EU countries and located right at the EU average (see Figure 2.1). In comparison to the 2012 EcoIS Belgium went down six positions. However, a direct comparison of the current version with the 2012 scoreboard should be approached with caution, as data sources changed for various indicators in the scoreboard – particularly the component of socio-economic outcomes, i.e. exports, turnover and employment in eco-industries.

Figure 2.2. disaggregates the overall scoreboard into its 5 components: eco-innovation input, activities, output, resource efficiency outcomes and socio-economic outcomes.

In the eco-innovation inputs index Belgium scored 130 (with 100 being the EU average). This index consists of three indicators. With 0.03% of GDP, Belgian governments R&D outlays in the area of environment and energy is below the EU average. The top scorers in these indicators are Finland with 0.16%, and Denmark and Sweden, each with around 0.08%. The share R&D personnel and researchers is higher than EU average (score 121), comprising 1.46% of Belgian employees in 2012. Total value of green early stage investments was an annual average of 272,5 million € in the period of 2010-2013, or around €272 per capita.


With a score of 89, Belgium’s aggregated performance in the component of eco-innovation activities was below EU average. For the two indicators based on the CIS questionnaire with regard to firms having implemented innovation activities aiming at a reduction of material and energy input per unit output, Belgium’s performance was either on or slightly above EU average (101 and 121 scores, respectively). The country performed rather low (score of 44) regarding ISO 14001 certifications, showing that Belgian companies are less dynamic in adopting the green culture and environmental management practices, which often brings along eco-innovative activities in manufacturing, processing, services and management activities.

Figure 2.2 Components of the eco-innovation composite index for Belgium, 2013

In the eco-innovation outputs component Belgium earned score of 79. The score is mainly determined by a weak performance regarding the patent indicator (score of 44, or 36 eco-innovation related patents registered in 2010) and electronic media coverage (score 44, or 41 hits in 20132). In contrast to these, performance on eco-innovation related publications of Belgium scores 149 with 13 publications per million people.

With regard to the four resource efficiency indicators, Belgium’s average performance is slightly below EU average (score of 94). Nevertheless, the statistics show that the Belgium’s material and energy productivity, as well as carbon intensity captured by the resource efficiency indicator continues to fall. The material productivity of the Belgium economy in 2011 was 1,79 Eur/kg, and resulting the score is 103 in EcoIS. The water productivity index was not updated since last year and remains 12,36 Eur/m3 (score 96). Belgium’s energy productivity is still below the EU average with 6,3 Eur/toe (score 79). In greenhouse gases emission intensity, Belgium is on par with the EU average of 0,37 kgCO2/Eur (score 99).

With an average score of 113, the Belgium is among the top six leaders in the socio-economic outcomes component. It scores high with regard to the eco-industry employment and turnover indicators, scoring 163 and 125 respectively. It should be noted that these indicators are based on statistics from the Thomson Reuters One database, which while having a solid representation of national companies, does not claim to be representative for the entire economy and national industries. Regarding the eco-industry export indicator, the score is 51 with 1,04 bln Eur export in total, which is 0,3% in the total export of Belgium .

2 Statistics did not include the European and European Commission media sources based in Belgium (Brussels)


3 | Selected eco-innovation areas and new trends

Many eco-innovative developments in Belgium are associated with its well established eco-industry sector, which is represented by companies specialising in renewable energy (bio-energy, solar cells, wind turbines), water and waste management, air purification, soil remediation, energy efficiency and sustainable construction. Along with addressing long standing local environmental problems, many Belgian eco-industry companies have also become technology leaders in international markets.

Wallonia

In Wallonia, many initiatives have been taken in sustainable construction, recycling and environmental remediation (water management, air purification and soil remediation) and green chemistry. A strong trend towards the development of initiatives for a transition towards a circular economy is also confirmed.

The eco-innovation efforts of the Walloon region are led by five “green clusters”: Green building cluster promoting responsible buildings and construction techniques; CAP 2020, focussing on the building industry and energy consumption reduction; solid waste cluster VAL+; the TWEED cluster or “Sustainable Energy” cluster, focusing on renewable energies, energy efficiency and climate impact in industries and the services sector, and “green” products and services, and the GreenWin cluster supporting in innovations in green chemistry, sustainable building and durable materials (including their applications in lowenergy buildings).

The development of a new bio-based chemical sector – where biomass would replace non-renewable fossil resources – is fully part of the Wallonia strategy for green growth. Wallonia presents main opportunities in this segment. A new initiative was launched in 2013 by a few key public and private players in Wallonia – “Le Coq Vert” (“The Green Rooster”) – in order to stimulate economic developments in bio-based economy sparking new projects essential to the deployment of bio-based chemicals sector and in particular in plant chemistry economy.

The circular economy is also promoted in the Walloon region by addressing ambitious targets related to waste management. The Region has prioritised the maximum re-use of waste ‘in-situ’, and the “intelligent” use of raw materials by accounting for their impact on health and the environment. Encouraged by European and regional initiatives, notably through the solid waste cluster VAL+and the competitiveness cluster Greenwin, the private sector in Wallonia has been mobilised and has developed expertise on techniques of composting of organic materials from the agribusiness industry, or through maintenance of green areas and fermentable household waste. A support organisation and interest group, Recywall, born in 1991 under the initiative of the Association of Research Centres in Wallonia, promotes recycling and the valorisation of solid waste, by performing R&D. It groups seven research centres in different industrial sectors such as wood, ceramics, building, road construction, metalworking, plastics, paintings and coatings, textiles, and glass.

More sustainable methods in recovery of polluted sites are actively promoted. Biological processes, such as bioremediation processes through the use of hydrocarbons, are privileged for the treatment of polluted soils. Other examples include the neutralisation of polluting odours, water cleaning systems, the recycling of non-ferrous metal waste and plastic through mobile crushers and choppers.


Flanders

The Flemish region has considerable achievements in sustainable water management via addressing its local problem of surface water pollutants. These efforts along with the growing demand in the national market have become an important push factor for the strengthening of Belgian expertise in water management and the development of a pool of companies with a solid R&D base specialising on water purification, management and recycling technologies. Many of these companies have become very competitive in the international market. For example, Waterleau is among the top three in the world in anaerobic treatment of wastewater technologies, as well as being one of the few in the world fully capable of handling end-to-end and integrated projects involving waste water, air purification and energy production components. Aquafin, the Flemish wastewater treatment concessionaire, through its daughter company Aquaplus, is exporting eco-innovative solutions on urban pollution abatement, energy efficient wastewater treatment and sludge handling, and energy recovery from sludge. BESIX Sanotec and Six Construct are involved in the design, building, and maintenance of the world’s largest drinking water production facility in Dubai.

Established in 2010 Flanders Knowledge Centre Water (Vlakwa)3 is a demand-driven, facilitating intermediary for the integral water cycle and which stimulates cooperation between different water actors in view of the strategic and socio-economic importance of water in the region. Vlakwa initiates, coordinates and facilitates knowledge building, stimulates collaboration and exchange of experiences and intellectual property.

Other organisations active in the field of sustainable water are: • Vlario: the platform and knowledge centre for the sewerage and wastewater treatment sector

in Flanders; • TNAV: the Flanders Water Technology Network (English website); • FISCH: the Flanders Innovation Hub for Sustainable Chemistry, which has programmes on

algae, valorisation of side streams and separation technology; • Vito: the Flemish Institute for Technological Research.

The circular economy has been well promoted by the Public Waste Agency of Flanders (OVAM)4. Closing the material cycle and waste prevention is one of the focus areas of the currently ongoing programmes of OVAM. The agency makes consumers and firms aware of the problem and obliges them to prevent waste through various awareness and incentive programmes, recommendations to local authorities, covenants with specific target groups, legal obligations, and experience exchange programmes. Re-use centres are a very important channel for immediate re-use by the consumer. Overall, the Flemish waste management policy is closely intertwined with the EU legislation and in some instances it is ahead of the European developments. Furthermore, there are chain thinking models and technologies in textiles, floor carpets, furniture, construction material production, etc. (e.g. DESSO company5) which are gradually coming to market. The Flemish Environmental and Energy Technology Innovation Platform6 (MIP) is pursuing projects on the closed cycle concept, 100% resource efficiency, and sustainable materials development, in addition to the green energy and emission abatement activities.

Initiatives on erecting sustainable buildings and refurbishing old houses have been on rise in Flanders; there is a range of commercial and demonstration projects initiated jointly by local municipality authorities and technology providers7. The sustainable building concept considering environmental impact and waste prevention has become of particular interest to the Public Waste Agency of Flanders (OVAM). It has developed a tool that gives information on the environmental impact of the use of building materials. This ecological assessment of building materials is part of a more general standard for sustainable building and living, developed by the Flemish authorities in co-operation with the industry. With this standard Flanders wants to align itself with the World Green Building Council and with the EU objectives and legislation on sustainable building.

3 http://www.vlakwa.be/en/home/ 4 www.ovam.be 5 www.desso.com 6 http://www.mipvlaanderen.be/en/webpage/124/about-mip.aspx 7 several examples are presented on the EIO Belgium country page www.eco-innovation.eu/belgium


4 | Eco-innovation barriers and drivers in Belgium

Several factors are play role in eco-innovation activities and products in Belgium. It is necessary to distinguish factors that play role on national level and have horizontal or cross-sectoral features, ones relevant only to certain industry, sectors and technologies and the ones related to firms strategies and consumer behaviours.

Drivers:

Increasing consensus on sustainability goals

Among the main drivers of the current eco-innovation activities is the promotion of dedicated initiatives under the patronage of regional authorities and application of incentives and policy measures. Baseline consensus on the green agenda has been growing in recent years in the political communities of Belgium (although different opinions still exist). One important point is the involvement of various actors in these initiatives: first of all, the private for-profit enterprises, as well as various local non-governmental organisations and local public authorities. In general, the topics dealt with are about housing and energy efficiency, renewable energy, mobility, eco-innovation and sustainable public procurement. But there has also been a stress on synergies with job creation, development within the social economy, regional economic development, etc.

Well-developed technological capabilities

Belgium has a strong pool of innovative companies, universities, research labs, and well trained human capital such as R&D personnel, engineers and businesspeople. Belgium has one of the highest EU shares of population with tertiary education. Its human resources in science and technology represent over 30% of total employment, and the number of science and engineering degrees as a percentage of all new degrees on the level of the world leading economies. This factor is crucial in eco-innovative uptakes, especially the ones based on scientific research and technical developments. The clear governments focus on sciences (with particular arrangements for some fields), tax incentives, good R&D funding, strong human capital and other factors have been helping to strengthen the knowledge base and brought the Belgian eco-and other industries to international leading positions.

Growing demand in green technology and products

Internal as well as international demand for cleaner, green products and services have seen an increase in the last decade. This interest is coming from both private consumers as well as from the larger companies and governments that dedicated themselves to greening strategies. More than ever before people now prefer to buy bio products and products with eco labels. These have created special niche markets and spurred businesses of many companies. Eco-innovation is seen as a business opportunity for the Belgian industry to maintain global competitiveness (Van Gyes, 2009). Furthermore, more companies are aspiring to get environmental certificates for their activities, thus making them to use and produce only eco-friendly services and products. Green public procurement has not yet created a massive demand, but there are positive developments. Development of green markets for Belgian eco-innovative products has been taking place both locally as well as in other countries where Belgium maintains active trade.


Barriers:

Inter-regional coordination, integrated planning and decision making

Belgium is a federal state and the country’s administration is in the hands of several bodies — some federal, some regional — and they exercise their functions independently in their respective regions and areas of competence. Despite the importance of strong horizontal and vertical policy integration, challenges for integrated planning, coordination and decision making remain (and this at all levels of policy‐making). Initiatives relevant to eco-innovation in Belgium are mostly limited to a regional scale and not much attention is given to the dissemination of positive practice at national level, nor is cooperation in the initiative seen as a priority aspect.

"Picking the winners" strategy and persisting economic unattractiveness in some areas

Belgium has a wealth of success stories in promotion of green technologies. However, often these have been promoted within the framework of the dedicated initiatives, clusters, which tend to have a strong bias towards one industry or topic. Green energy technologies and developments currently dominate the eco-innovation domain and attract a larger share of resources. At the same time eco-innovations in other spheres remain outside the scope of the public attention or are given fewer opportunities. Consequently, there is a limited number of examples on eco-system services, material efficiency, sustainable value chains, eco-innovation in services, utility companies, or systemic transformation of product-chain, ICT-based eco-innovations in industries and household, as well as low-tech innovative solutions, including those related to change of consumption patterns.


5 | Eco-innovation policy landscape

Belgium has a strong tradition in environmental policy, which is an important factor in driving eco-innovations. The country has introduced a range of economic instruments such as environmental taxes, charges, eco-labelling, eco-vouchers for products, etc (see EIO country profiles for Belgium for 2010 and 2011). In the promotion of R&D, which can largely include eco-innovative developments, the Belgian state has a wide range of supply side incentive mechanisms, such as allowances, subsidies and tax breaks for R&D activities and employees.

The decentralised structure of the government defined the strong role of the regional governments in setting and implementing eco-innovation related policies and initiatives.

Figure 5.1 Eco-innovation Policy implementing agencies in Belgium Regional level

Implementing agency Areas of intervention Principal Instruments

Federal government

Ministry of Finance, Ministry for the Economy, Ministry of Transport

Climate change, Energy (renewable, conservation) Equity support, Research and development, Networks/ partnerships

Walloon region

Environment Ministry and Energy Ministry

Energy (renewable, conservation), Waste management, Material efficiency – cleaner production, Land decontamination and remediation, Green (sustainable) chemistry, Fossil-fuel energy-efficient electricity generation, Climate change mitigation, Energy efficiency/conservation measures in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors

Research and development, Networks / partnerships, Technology transfer, Grant programmes

Flanders region

Environment, Nature and Energy Department, the Flemish Energy Agency, Council for science and innovation

Eco-innovation, social innovation, transformative innovations Renewable energy, Energy-efficient electricity generation, Energy efficiency/conservation measures in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors, sustainable construction, waste management

Equity support, Grants, Research and development, Regulation and standards, Networks / partnerships,

Brussels Capital region

Brussels Institute for Management of the Environment (IBGE-BIM)

Climate change, Energy (renewable, conservation), Air pollution, sustainable construction, sustainable mobility, green zones development

Information services, Regulation and standards, Grants

Federal State

A number of plans and programmes have been initiated at the federal level. Most of them encompass measures that build the enabling institutional and market environment for eco-innovative solutions. The federal level develops ‘instrumental’ competences coming in support for the effective implementation (or for the market translation) of the regional objectives and initiatives (fiscal and quasi-fiscal provisions, taxation, competition rules, market structures, price regulation, etc.). The following plans and strategies are more environmentally driven; however, they also contribute to building institutional and market capacities to promote eco-innovation deployment.

The Federal Plan for Sustainable Development plans are guideline documents towards implementation of the long term (2050) vision on sustainable development of Belgium. The Plan includes activities and measures for the step by step development of an inclusive society that respects the environment and a suitable economy. The next Federal Plan for Sustainable Development based on this long-term vision is currently under preparation.


The National Action Plan for Sustainable Public Procurement (2009) aims to accelerate the integration of ecological, social and ethical criteria and also social clauses in procurement policy, complying with European and Belgian legislation.

The National Plan against Acidification & Tropospheric Ozone (2004-2007) benefits other issues such as the fight against climate change (the same measure may have positive impacts on emissions of SO2 and CO2).

The Federal Product Action Plan 2009-2012 aims to reconcile economic growth with a decoupling, in absolute terms, of environmental impacts caused by products.

The Federal Programme for the reduction of agricultural pesticides and biocides in Belgium, approved by the federal government, is the first integrated approach aiming to tackle the use of pesticides and to promote sound alternatives.

The National Climate Plan (2004) provides a number of measures that will reduce emissions on the territory of the regions of at least 4.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year.

The National Plan for Air pollution abatement is a national strategy to meet the Belgium’s obligations on national emission ceilings.

The NEHAP, National Action Plan for Health & Environment provides a coherent framework for action by various institutional partners (Federal Authority, Regions, Communities). A cooperation agreement provides financial support to innovative projects and actions contributing to improve the relation Health & Environment.

The National Biodiversity Strategy 2006-2016 aims to halt the biodiversity loss and to develop innovative approaches that are more respectful of living resources. The Strategy is complemented by a Federal Plan for Integration of biodiversity in four key areas (Economics, Science Policy, Mobility, Cooperation for Development)

Regional policies

Regions of Belgium have a dynamic policy that supports sustainability and innovation (see also EIO country profiles for Belgium for 2010 and 2011)

Walloon region

In Wallonia support for eco-innovation is framed in its Marshall Plan 2.Green, the Air-Climate Plan, and the regional Sustainable Development Strategy. Adopted in 2009 the Marshall Plan 2.Green aims at improving the competitive position of companies integrating sustainable development as a policy goal. The Plan is centred around six priority axes and involves several measures that are important in the context of eco-innovations, including:

• Creation of the cluster (pôle de compétitivité) dedicated to new environmental technologies • Creation of Employment-Environment alliances focusing on the energy and sustainable

construction sectors; • Encouraging sustainable development initiatives by local companies (SME, artisans) through

specific innovation grants; • Focusing efforts on eco-designs through different measures throughout companies.

The Air-Climate Plan (2007) of Wallonia contains about 100 concrete measures to address climate change problems and improve air quality, such as reducing greenhouse gases, NOx and SOx emissions, establishment of regulatory instrument, raising awareness, and informing citizens, etc. These measures are coordinated and funded by nine Walloon Ministries.

The Walloon region promotes its eco-innovations through “green clusters”: CAP 2020, focussing on the building industry and energy consumption reduction; solid waste cluster VAL+ (or “cluster déchets solides”); “Green building” cluster; and the TWEED cluster or “Sustainable Energy” cluster, focusing on renewable energies, energy efficiency and climate impact in industries and services sector, and “green” products and services. GreenWin is a Competitiveness cluster in green


chemistry, sustainable building and durable materials (including their applications in low energy buildings).

These clusters are part of the Walloon legislation for the support and development of business networks and clusters (The Portal of the Walloon clusters, 2010).

In 2013 the following developments took place in the policy domain of Walloon region:

Adoption of the Walloon Sustainable Development Strategy. Beyond the strategy, the framework includes the decree on regional sustainable development strategy, the creation of a unit to give advice and the Sustainable Development Department of the Public Service of Wallonia. At the beginning of each term, the Walloon Government will now be required to adopt a Walloon Sustainable Development Strategy which will be debated in Parliament. Five priority themes are proposed: housing, modes of production and consumption, social cohesion, food and health. They are complemented by two transversal key themes: energy and mobility.

Setting up of a sustainable procurement policy for Walloon contracting authorities. This involves the insertion of environmental, social and ethical clauses in public contracts for works, supplies and services. Another aim is to enhance the economic potential of SMEs in Wallonia against foreign competitors who can be less scrupulous about their environmental impact.

GreenSkills: continuing and vocational training for an eco-innovative Walloon industry. The Walloon Competitiveness cluster “GreenWin “, in partnership with the 3 main sectoral federations (Essenscia, CCW and ECGF) and with centers of competence (Cefochim, GREENWAL FOREm and Environment), has developed trainings for businesses, as well as for universities, research centres and government agencies. This is to improve the competitiveness of Walloon businesses in strengthening their eco-innovation capacity in development and commercialisation of new eco-innovative approaches, methods and technologies.

Continuation of the first “Employment Environment Alliance” focused on insulation and energy performance of buildings. Multi-sectoral contracts were signed by the Walloon Government with 41 partners and address three areas:

• Stimulate demand for sustainable construction and renovation of public and private buildings;

• Strengthen the capacity and the supply of the construction; • Developing skills through a comprehensive program of green trainings.

“Short Cycles” Reference Centre. Launched in 2013, the “Short cycles” Reference Centre " is the contact point for any accompanying structure regarding “short cycles”. It will establish a catalogue of direct and indirect actors in Wallonia, it will network and strengthen the actors, will foster the emergence of innovative sustainable “ short cycles” projects. This initiative aims to highlight local producers and to bring them into relationship with consumers. The Reference Centre is set up to help SMEs who choose short cycles to develop.

"Circular Economy" Reference Centre focuses on educating Walloon businesses about circular economy but also coordinate field players on this topic. A business support and assistance in setting up projects will be developed. Financial support will be proposed, in the form of “Circular Economy” grants.

NEXT: Circular Economy Platform is a tool for development of actions and innovations related to the circular economy. The first phase of this program took place in 2012. In 2013, NEXT proceeded to the next level and has developed a comprehensive “Circular economy” program based on 3 pillars: industry, education, and international network. NEXT is an operational program to develop concrete short and medium term actions and to ensure the development of job-creating activities in Wallonia. NEXT is working with the industry and is based on workshops (industrial symbiosis’ detections) and awareness. Through this, NEXT provides coaching to businesses who have decided to participate in the process and evaluates possible solutions identified in the workshops. Regarding education, NEXT aims to involve students in the process by concrete cases , to sensitize , train and prepare them for the challenges of tomorrow's industry.


“Le Coq Vert” (“The Green Rooster”) is new initiative launched by a few key public and private players in order to stimulate economic developments in bio-based chemistry in Wallonia. The development of a new bio-based chemical sector – where biomass would replace non-renewable fossil resources – makes fully part of the Wallonia strategy for green growth.

Energinsere: mobilising program on "storage" concerns R&D in the field of renewable energies such as second generation biofuels, photovoltaics, geothermal, emerging sectors and energy storage solutions and storage of CO².

“Green impulse Fund” is a call for proposals launched in 2013 for young innovative enterprises. It finances industrial research or experimental development linked to the five priority themes of the 2011-2015 research strategy "Towards an integrated research policy" including Sustainability, Energy Technology Research, Health, Lengthening and Quality of life.

The Walloon Climate Decree and the Air-Climate-Energy Plan. The decree will allow Wallonia to meet its commitments to reduce emissions of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by 30% by 2020 and 80-95% by 2050 compared to 1990. By adopting this, Wallonia facilitates a transition to a competitive low carbon economy. The decree also establishes an “Air-Climate-Energy" Plan which lists concrete measures.

Ecopôle economic zoning focused on opening new markets in the areas of clean technologies, eco-industries, renewable energy. Activities in Ecopôle are based on pubic-private collaboration and involves the cities and municipalities of Charleroi, Chatelet, Aiseau-Presles, Fleurus, Farciennes and Sambreville,

Flanders region

Following the path-breaking strategies “Flanders in Action” (VIA) and the “Pact 2020” introduced in 2010 there was a growing focus on sustainable development, innovation, globalisation and green economy building8. In the Strategy for Sustainable Development (FSSD) the Flemish government has given priority to energy, mobility, food, building and housing, materials/resources, and healthcare. The strategy also promotes both ecological and social life cycle analyses and enhancing sustainable consumption; there is a special focus on Sustainable Public Procurement, Sustainable Building and Housing, Sustainable Materials Management, Education for Sustainable Development (UNCSD, 2010).

In the last two years the Flanders region has been incorporating transformative and systemic approaches in its policies. Eco-innovation became one of the six pillars of the overarching Flemish policy priorities. Together with other innovation pillars "Transformation through Innovation', 'Healthcare Innovation', 'Green energy', 'Social innovation' and 'Sustainable Mobility and Logistics’, Eco-innovation has been strategically chosen to attain the regions economic and sustainability goals. To facilitate this change and support policy development in each pillar the special Innovation Steering Groups (IRG) have been created, which are coordinated under the Flemish council for science and innovation VRWI. Last year they published a number of expert reports, namely: “Recommendations for eco-innovation in Flanders”9, “Recommendations for green energy in Flanders”10, and “Recommendations for sustainable building in Flanders”11.

A part of Regional innovation funding has been allocated to these six thematic areas. The rest is allocated through the bottom-up schemes through the innovation agency IWT. The overall budget for eco-innovation has been about 0,09-0,010% of the Flemish GDP or 180 -190 million euro during 2007-2009. There are also many schemes and instruments supporting eco-innovation (among other topics) activities, projects and initiatives which are managed by a number of organisations. In supporting eco-innovations, these organisations focus on different stages in knowledge and innovation development and implementation:

8 see also the EIO country briefs for Belgium from 2010, 2011 9 Available for download on http://www.vrwi.be/en/publications/isg-brochure-eco-innovation 10 http://www.vrwi.be/en/publications/isg-brochure-green-energy 11 http://www.vrwi.be/en/publications/isg-brochure-sustainable-building


• Knowledge generation organizations focusing on the support of basic and applied research. In the Flemish region different strategic research centers with a (partial) focus on eco-innovation are active. Examples are IMEC a research center for nanoelectronics (also includes solar cells and batteries), VIB on biotechnology, VITO on environmental technology and one on the manufacturing industry that is in the making (will be working on additive manufacturing amongs other things). The Flemish universities conduct extensive research on eco-innovation issues. One last initiative worth noting is energyville. Energyville is the bundled co-location for the Benelux as meant in the KIC InnoEnergy.

• Stimulating R&D focused on eco-innovation & facilitating the networking amongst enterprises: IWT- the innovation agency in the Flemish region supports the development of specific competence centers for this. There is the environmental innovation platform (MIP) (which is part of I-cleantech), Flanders innovation Hub on Sustainable Chemistry (Fisch), VIM on mobility, SIM on sustainable materials and additive manufacturing and flanders drive on automotive. Different Living labs supported by IWT: living on electrical vehicles12 and a living lab on refurbishment of existing buildings13

• Stimulating entrepreneurial activity on cleantech: different initiatives funded or supported by Enterprise Flanders (the Flemish agency for enterprises), I-cleantech flanders, smart grids flanders, flanders bio (on organic food), greenbridge (on energy), agropolis, kamp c (on sustainable building), Greenville, VLAKWA (on water technology). Enterprise Flanders stimulates entrepreneurial activity by supporting science parks and incubators. An example of such an incubator is greenbridge in Oostende which aims to create an innovative and entrepreneurial climate in the region of Oostende. In their incubator facilities they specifically guide hi-tech start-ups and spin-offs to develop their enterprise. The rest of the science park is aimed at more mature companies in promising technology domains.

• Implementation of eco-innovation in companies: Enterprise Flanders has a whole portfolio of measures to support the implementation of eco-innovation. Eg Ecolgiepremie (financial support for the cleantech installations), Kmo-portefeuille (support for environmental consulting). I-cleantech also stimulates the implementation of cleantech. Enterprise Flanders also takes different initiatives to promote sustainable business parks:

- Subsidies for infrastructure needed to reach ‘CO2 neutrality’.

- Subsidies for sustainable site management in business parks (one call was published, a new one is expected in 2014). The subsidy supports activities like sustainable group purchases, cooperation towards sustainable materials management, reuse of waste energy.

- Brownfield development through a stimulating legislative framework. Sustainability gets a lot of attention for the redevelopment of the sites too. See for example Blue gate Antwerp: http://www.bluegateantwerp.eu/en/what

The Brussels-Capital Region

Several prospective initiatives have been initiated in order to support eco-innovation and the creation of business models based on sustainability.

The Employment-Environment Alliance and its various sectoral focus points is one of the Brussels’ government’s flagship actions, which aims to develop employment in economic sectors linked to the environment. The sectors currently being developed are sustainable construction, water and waste. Ultimately, other sectors such as sustainable food could be launched. The objective is either to

12 http://www.livinglab-ev.be/ 13 http://www.iwt.be/subsidies/proeftuinbouw


ensure the transition of traditional business in Brussels towards more sustainability or to stimulate the creation of businesses in the sectors under development14.

Since 1992, Brussels has adopted a “Waste Plan” every five years. It incorporates all the actions to be implemented to reduce waste production as much as possible and to manage the waste produced in a more sustainable manner. It sets precise objectives and figures to be achieved by 2020 for different waste flows and different sectors, as much in terms of prevention as in management. New projects have been added to complete this waste policy, such as ECOPOLE, a reuse and resale centre for several types of waste. Brussels waste prevention and management policy is bearing fruit, since the amount of municipal waste collected has fallen by almost 20% since 2000.

“Circular economy” concept has received considerable attention in 2013. The Employment-Environment Alliance adopted a charter on waste which was signed by over 80 actors from private, public and civil society sectors. This charter specifies their commitment to create jobs in which waste is processed into raw materials for new activities.

A vision of mobility by 2015-2018, adopted recently provides for a series of steps intended to improve daily life for Brussels residents, commuters and tourists. It strives to establish an equilibrium between mobility needs and the quality of life in the region.

The Government of Brussels also promotes sustainable public procurement under the “Circular of February relating to the inclusion of criteria pertaining to environmental issues and sustainable development into government supply and service contracts".

The Brussels‐Capital Region continues encouraging environmental management in private and public sector enterprises through the “Eco‐dynamic Enterprise” label.

The Brussels-Capital Region’s Minister of Economy through the Environmental Technologies business unit of the Brussels Enterprise Agency (BEA), to support the economic activity of developing companies or those who wish to invest in the domain of the environment or sustainable energy. In addition, its role is to promote environmental technologies via all the sectors of activity.

14 See more at: http://www.sustainablecity.be/brusselsgreencapital/green-economy#sthash.jXYrLunm.dpuf


6 | Good practice examples

MINERVE Project

MINERVE project conducted within Greenwin, the Walloon Competitiveness cluster aims to shorten the life cycle of waste on landfills and enhancing extraction of resources (energy and materials). Acceleration of life cycle of a landfill will reduce the risk of pollution.

The project is organized around a three-step methodology: (1) characterization of landfill, (2) optimising the mineralization process and (3) recovery of mineralised waste through landfill mining . Technically speaking the process is the following: sensors are placed in landfill sites at the soil surface and allow to obtain images of the soil and to find heavy metals, plastics, cardboard. After that suitable bacteria is for each type of waste and injected into the ground to speed decomposition. Produced methane is burned and turned into electricity; it also produces sand granules which can be used in road construction.

Partners of the project: University of Liège, CWBI laboratory, SHANKS, ARTECHNO, Holcim, Centre Technologique International de la Terre et de la Pierre

For more information: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JexCJTGjcgQ

source: http://www.greenwin.be

PEPITe- ENERGYmaestro

PEPITe is a spin-off company created at the University of Liège. PEPITe provides data driven solutions to accelerate the diagnostics and improvement of operations performance like energy efficiency, yield, product quality, assets availability. For industrial energy efficiency, PEPITe deploys a well-documented holistic methodology (ENERGYmaestro). This builds upon a combination of “Big Data” and advanced analytics (DATAmaestro) and continuous improvement techniques to drive faster and more reliable decisions.

ENERGYmaestro brings energy savings to process industries by focusing on operational efficiency gains. It benefits all levels of an organisation, from the shop floor to the management suite. The solution follows an approach based on 3 steps: (1) identification of the variability of the process energy performance and its root causes with the use of DATAmaestro; 2) development of decision support tools for every level of the organization (management, operations, etc.) to address these root causes; 3) implementation of these decision support tools to deliver sustainable gains using proven change management techniques. DATAmaestro® is already used in multiple industries such as semi-conductors, life science, steel industry, chemicals, oil and gas. ( Prayon, Arcelor Mittal, NLMK, Nanocyl, CBR,Orange, Alsthom Grid, EDF)


Source : http://www.mydatamaestro.com

BIOLIX project -

BIOLIX stands for Bio-hydrometallurgical beneficiation of non-ferrous concentrate from shredder residue

The project aims to introduce a set of technological improvements to significantly increase the quality retrieval of precious and rare earth metals (gallium, indium, rare earths) from shredded residues. The partners of this project are Comet Traitements SA (Wallonia) and the University of Liège ( Wallonia).

Several years of previous research have led to results that will be scaled up and demonstrated.

The results of many tests laboratory have led to the construction, in the University of Liege, a pilot unit. The outstanding performance of this pilot unit has enabled to be selected for European funding (BIOLIX Project of CIP eco-innovation projects). In 2014, it should allow the construction of the first industrial unit capable of processing 4,000 tons of metal per year.

The method is based on hydrometallurgy techniques, and in particular the biometallurgy, thereby limiting the environmental impact and the generation of residual waste, energy expenditure and consumption of reactants. Recovery of indium, gallium and rare earths from unusable goods is little, if not developed industrially. Only a few industrial processes exist to recycle production waste of some very specific applications, where critical metals are identified and present in relatively large amounts. The project aims for the recovery of these metals from out of use products, where they are scattered throughout the material, but the importance of the flow available can make it profitable.

Source :

http://www.innovatech.be/upload/espace_innovation/Dossiers/Dossier_de_presse_Comet_Traitements.pdf

www.groupecomet.com


CIMEDE (Industrial building of evolutionary sustainable and affordable homes)

CIMEDE is a Walloon project of buildings of modular and sustainable homes. This concept is based on prefabricated wood panels that have high standards of thermal insulation and modularity properties allowing to evolve the occupation of the building. Industrialization allows for high quality accommodation at very competitive prices.

The arrangement of living spaces can be adjusted to a client's request. Buildings are removable , allowing the integration of new insulation in the long term and the recycling construction elements at the end of life of the buildings.

The project has been supported by the Competitiveness cluster Greenwin. In addition, the company behind the project is a social cooperative that employs people with disabilities, especially the deaf and hard of hearing.

With a hundred people in 2020, the company aims to produce 9,000 m² housing per year, or a few hundred houses. For an investment of 4 million euros by 2020,CIMEDE plans 100 additional jobs , including 50 jobs in 2017 to support the development of techniques.

source : http://www.cimede.be

SOLARCYCLE- Valorization of used photovoltaic panels

The photovoltaic market has bee experiencing rapid growth in Europe and worldwide. By 2020 the European photovoltaic industry is expecting to treat 18,000 tonnes of waste in total or 2,000 tons per year. The SOLARCYCLE Project initiated the development of recycling processes capable of handling different types of scrap panels while providing sustainable jobs in maintenance, sorting, dismantling , recycling and sale of raw materials for Walloons.

The project is financed under the call for proposals of the Competitiveness Cluster “MecaTech”. It is the result of collaboration between academic research groups (ULg Greenmat and ULB - 4MAT) and two Walloon SMEs: RECMA SCRL-sf and COMET traitement SA, which already active in the recycling sector and employ more than one hundred people.

Eventually, SOLARCYCLE project’s outputs could serve other parts of the world and provide a solution to recycling of other waste coming from our massive use of new technologies.

Source: http://www.solarcycle.sitew.be


Symbiose Biomaterials

Created in 2013, Symbiose Biomaterials Innovation Platform in Wallonia, aims at bringing to the market new innovative products and processes in the field of Molecular Biomimetics, which means through technologies drawing their inspiration from nature’s biological structures at molecular-scale. Nature offers many other examples that can help scientists answer new technological challenges using natural compounds and environmentally-friendly processes.

This young start-up is the result of 6 years of research within the University of Liège (GIGA, CERM and NanoChem) and the former research center of ArcelorMittal (now part of CRM Group). Symbiose Biomaterials can help companies meet their needs through scientific development.

Over the years Symbiose Biomaterials has developed a “toolbox” composed of different technologies for several applications. Through this toolbox Symbiose Biomaterials wants to meet companies’ needs. It also takes part into research projects funded bye the EU or the Walloon region along with other scientific or industrial partners in order to design new products or functionalities. Thanks to its former experience, Symbiose Biomaterials can run some tests and analysis in various fields related to bio-inspired polymers, functional coatings or active biomolecules.

source : http://www.symbiosebiomaterials.be

CASTT (project Campus Automotive Sustainable Technologies)

CASTT is a training project in the field of sustainable automotive technologies. Within this project, the Campus of Francorchamps will develop and strengthen the training of engineers, technicians, teachers and students in technical education in the clean engine, especially in electric motors, batteries and energy storage, recovery of braking energy and safety. This is to prepare for green technologies and also to create skills for businesses and thus support economic activity .

Through the Walloon Marshall Plan and a private financing, the Campus will have equipment to test benches for electric traction motors and test benches for batteries at an industrial level. This


equipment does not exist in the field of electrical motors and clean engines, nor in schools or in the Walloon companies.

Partners of the project: Campus Francorchamps , Comet Treatment , D' ieteren , Educam , IFPM, Siemens, ULg, and Volvo Greenspeed.

(Source: http://www.polemecatech.be/fr/projets/projet-castt )

FRENSIS

Project developed under the Competitiveness Cluster Greenwin related to the sustainable use of materials.

This project, supported by the AGC Glass Company, aims to develop a super- insulating glazing and to integrate it into a super- insulation chassis. The manufacturing process is based on the technology of vacuum glazing, which has the characteristic of being very thin (one third of the thickness of a triple glazed) and offers very high thermal insulation coefficient. Technology developed by the project include both the glazing (ensuring a perfect seal for the entire life of the product) and its integration into a PVC frame designed by Pierret System, in order to avoid thermal bridges. The cluster GreenWin believes that this project will make a major innovation that fully meets all the objectives of sustainable construction. The technologies developed by this project will also eventually develop other structural elements, such as wall. AGC Glass and Pierret System partner in this project with Sadems GMA company, the Catholic University of Louvain and the Materia Nova research center.

Source and further information: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Zo375oGy8o

http://clusters.wallonie.be/greenwin-fr/ap6-r-d-frensis.html?IDC=1408&IDD=15774

ECOFFICE

Ecoffice is a research project subsidized by the Walloon Region designed to implement a pilot project for a passive building which would cost less than a normal office building. It was initiated by the CAP 2020 cluster and then followed by the competitiveness Cluster Greenwin.

The results of the project Ecoffice will produce new technical knowledge about the behavior of materials, the definition of optimum construction methods and budgetary control. It will define "passive" construction’s standards optimized for public and private service sector.

It will be a showcase to the possibility of developing projects with very high energy performance ("passive" criteria) with perfect control of the construction’s costs. It will provide accurate and clear information to investors. The concept of Ecoffice project aims to be reproducible, flexible and


multipurpose, and ensure a high level of comfort to the occupants in order to have the broadest possible scope ( type of occupant - Public / Private - adaptability when user changes ... )

source: http://www.ecoffice-building.be

Phosphate recovery from wastewater

Phosphate is a crucial element in the energy supply to plants, animals and man. It is an important building bloc of the human DNA and forms together with Nitrogen a very important component of artificial fertilizers. However the worldwide phosphate reserves are not endless and scientists predict that by 2030 the US phosphate reserves will be exhausted, the world reserves might end by 2070. As there is no alternative for phosphate, the recovery of phosphate from waste streams will be absolutely necessary. Recovering Phosphate from wastewater is not only beneficial to achieve final discharge requirements but creates an added value.

The Belgian company Akwadok succesfully introduces the NuReSys® Technology, which recovers up to 85% of the phosphate present in the wastewater and makes it available as STRUVITE. This is Magnesium Ammonium Phosphate (MgNH4PO4.6H2O, also known as MAP) that, without any further treatment can be used in agriculture and in horticulture. The NuReSys® Technology has a wide application field and can particularly be used in the agro‐industry, dairies, anaerobic digestion, manure treatment or leachate treatment. Controlled MAP formation also prevents clogging of piping.

The NuReSys® Technology uses a completely stirred crystallization tank relying on a blade impeller. Successful application of the NuReSys® Technology is guaranteed by a specific developed and

fully automated control algorithm ensuring optimal pH, reagent dosing and varying mixing intensity. This control algorithm does ensure the growth of novel crystalline matter upon existing crystals and by doing so preventing unwanted impeller or reactor scaling.

BIO-STRU®

The formation of a strict crystalline matrix prevents the inclusion of foreign elements and thus guaranties a pure end product. Both the Public Waste Agency of Flanders and the Federal Food Safety Agency have delivered the official documents that allow selling the BIO-STRU as a slow fertilizer for agriculture use.

NuReSys builds reactor with processing capacity from 20 to 120 m³ per hour.

Source and further information on: www.nuresys.org

OVAM's ELFM-programme 2011-2015

OVAM, as an environmental agency in Flanders, dealing with the issues of Soil Remediation, Waste and Sustainable Materials Management (SMM), developed over the last years a policy transition towards SMM. From this perspective, the role of the active and former landfills should be reconsidered and integrated in the new SMM policy. The concept of Enhanced Landfill Mining (ELFM) was introduced.


In 2011, a corporate vision on ELFM was approved by the OVAM Board of directors and resulted in an operational programme over the period 2011 – 2015. The introduction of ELFM is also related with the new concept of Sustainable Materials Management and the broader shift to a Circular Economy. From this point of view, landfills are no longer considered as a final and static situation but as a dynamic part of the materials cycle. The potential valorisation of the disposed waste is an important aspect in the assessment of the environmental impact of landfills.

The main goal is the recovery of materials (in its most broad definition: materials, energy, land) from landfill and reuse them for some purpose by re-introducing them in the material chain. This approach makes it possible to gain important resources and preserve virgin raw materials (including aquifers and greenfields). A secondary benefit of this concept is the applicability for soil remediation purposes. In general landfill mining is used as a method to reduce the costs in case of soil and water remediation or induced by infrastructural activities. The impact on material management or resource efficiency as such is, until recently, rather limited.

The first objective of OVAM’s ELFM-vision is providing reliable data on the composition and magnitude of landfills in Flanders. This information allows a sustainable management of these landfill sites within the context of resource and materials management. The current ELFM-programme already resulted in a specific ELFM-database, a decision support system Flaminco and the bench-marking between several separation technologies. A manual with the Best Management Practices on ELFM is planned in 2015.

Expansion of the Umicore Precious Metals Refining Capacity

Umicore Precious Metals Refining is worldwide leader in the recycling of precious metals from complex materials such as by-products from other non-ferrous industries and consumer and industrial recyclable products (e.g. electronic scrap and spent automotive catalysts). In order to strengthen its position, Umicore has carried out a research project to study the expansion of the smelt capacity of the UPMR smelter. An increase in smelt capacity will directly increase the overall capacity of the whole precious metals refining flow sheet. In the project, knowledge has been built up on the smelter process focusing on the tackling of bottle necks.

This project, funded by IWT, has contributed to decide on the expansion of the Hoboken facility targeting a treatment capacity of around 500,000 tonnes a year. The plan of the expansion entails investments of some € 100 million over a period of two years. These would primarily enhance the capabilities of the smelter and the blast furnace by incorporating technical improvements. The investments would enable Umicore Precious Metals Refining to build on its unique competence in treating the broadest range of complex materials from around the world to recover 17 metals. The plan also ensures a continued focus on environmental performance. Recent investments in biological water treatment and gas cleaning capabilities would ensure that the site continues to attain the highest standards in terms of air and water emissions. This project contributes to Umicore’s mission: materials for a better life by making them available for yet another life cycle.

Source: www.umicore.com

Green and Sustainable Remediation

Green and sustainable way of soil remediation means using practices that minimise green house gas emissions and the use of energy and materials, while the remediations remains protective of human health and environment. It also includes economic balancing and community engagement.

The 'greening' of soil remediation practices needs innovation. More eco-efficient remediation technologies should be developed. To this end, OVAM cofinances pilot projects on green and sustainable remediation. The aim is to generate and disseminate new knowledge and practical experience, in order to stimulate the application of green and sustainable remediation.


Two pilot projects were started: (1) combination of aquifer thermal enery storage (ATES) and groundwater remediation, and (2) phytoremediation for groundwater contaminated with organic pollutants.

Combination of ATES and groundwater remediation: On the Philips site in Turnhout, Arcadis Belgium nv is performing a feasibility study to assess where groundwater remediation can be combined with heat extraction from the aquifer. Due to uncertainties on the technical and economic feasibility and permits, a similar project has not yet been carried out in field conditions in Flanders. The aim is to eliminate these uncertainties and to look for synergies and cost reductions.

The project is carried out in cooperation with Mourik, Philips, OMC and OVAM. Mourik guarantees the expertise from the contractor side. Philips provides the site in Turnhout for the pilot project. OMC stands for Open Manufacturing Campus and is a non-profit organisation that will develop the site in Turnhout into a campus for high-tech manufacturing. OVAM and Philips are both sponsors of the project .

The groundwater on the site is contaminated with chlorinated solvents to a depth of 80 m. The remediation of the groundwater will be done by recirculation. Groundwater is extracted and upstream infiltrated with addition of nutrients with low TOC to stimulate biodegradation. Pilot tests for the recirculation system have been performed.

The thermal energy of the extracted groundwater can be used. There are plans to renovate two buildings on the site, giving the opportunity to evaluate for a concrete case possible synergies between remediation and energy production, and the effects on the environment and costs.

More information: http://www.ovam.be/jahia/Jahia/pid/2688?lang=null

Phytoremediation of groundwater contaminated with organic pollutants

Arcadis Belgium nv together with Hasselt University and Laboratory SGS nv will determine whether phytoremediation can be used for the remediation of groundwater contaminated organic pollutants. On a site in Genk the groundwater is contaminated with organic pollutants. Phytoremediation is one of the feasible remediation techniques for this site. OVAM and the problem owner are the sponsors of this three year project.

Phytoremediation is a remediation technique for which plants and their associated microorganisms are used for the removal and/or management of contamination in soil and groundwater. Concerning the ecological footprint, this technique has many advantages over traditional techniques. Plants can contribute in different ways to the remediation process, for example by avoiding spreading of the contamination via pumping of water by the roots, or by stimulating the decay of pollutants by bacteria living in symbiosis with the plants. However up to now, the application of phytoremediation in Flanders is limited. This project aims at demonstrating the potential of this technique, and increasing the knowledge about phytoremediation within the soil remediation sector in Flanders.

In a first phase, researchers of the Hasselt University will investigate whether bacteria are present in the contaminated site that have the capacity to break down the pollutants. They will isolate these bacteria, and determine the degradation capacity. In a second phase, poplars will be exposed in a greenhouse experiment to various concentrations of organic pollutants. The poplars will be inoculated with the isolated bacteria that showed the best performance. The amount of contaminants and degradation products that evapotranspirate through the leaves, will be determined. For this, Hasselt University has developed a measuring system that can also be used in the field.

Subsequently, in the third phase, a field experiment will be carried out in which poplars will be planted in a highly contaminated area in the field. Half of the trees will be inoculated with bacteria by a drainage system. During the trial, the researchers will measure the evapotranspiration of contaminants, groundwater levels and concentrations of contaminants in the groundwater. Finally, the technique of phytoremediation will be evaluated and compared with conventional techniques.

More information: http://www.ovam.be/jahia/Jahia/pid/2678?lang=null


References “Le Coq Vert” (2013) http://www.investinwallonia.be/2013/04/towards-a-bio-based-economy-in-wallonia-le-coq-vert-is-crowing-for-a-greener-chemistry/?lang=en

Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO), (2009) ENV-MAP Project Task 2. Assessment of ETAP roadmaps with regard to their eco-innovation potential. Final Report, Part 2: Country Profiles. December, 2009. Prepared by Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) for the OECD Environment Directorate

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Flanders Cleatech Association (2013) Link: http://fca.be/en/home

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Flanders Knowledge Center Water (Vlakwa) (2013) http://www.vlakwa.be/en/home/

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The public waste agency of Flanders (OVAM) (2013) link: twww.ovam.be

Tweed Cluster (2013) Tweed cluster of Wallonie. Link: http://clusters.wallonie.be/tweed/en/news/technologies-exportables.html

University College Dublin (UCD) (2008) Economic Instruments in Environmental Policy database, Agreements Battery Tax and Voluntary Agreement, Belgium, link http://www.economicinstruments.com/

US Cleantech Trade & Investment Mission (2010) link: http://www.export.gov/cleantechmission/

VITO (2011) Sustainability in an urban setting “PARTIAL SOLUTIONS WON’T DO: CITIES REQUIRE A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH”, VITO Vision, September 2011, No 08. Accessed at www.vito.be

WRVI (2012) “Recommendations for eco-innovation in Flander” http://www.vrwi.be/en/publications/isg-brochure-eco-innovation


ANNEX 1. Policy measures addressing eco-innovations in Belgium

Focus of policy measure (tick if relevant)

Group of

policy measures

Type of policy measure

Specific measure

Please provide reference to or brief summary of specific measures (national, regional)

add cells if necessary

Generic focus on

eco-innovation

Resource efficiency improvem

ent

Energy efficiency improvem

ent

Reduction of emissions incl. CO2

Other relevant

areas (e.g. renewable

energy, etc)

X X X X X Venture capital funds

- ParticipatieMaatschappij vlaanderen (PMv) Innovatiemezzanine, and Federale participatie en investeringsmaatschappij (FPIM) are the major government backed venture capital organizations involved in cleantech.

- BE. Fin is part of the Regional Investment Company of Wallonia

(SRIW). Its purpose is to engage in investments in the areas of environmental biotechnology, biofuels and renewable energy (Wal)

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Equity/business support

Public guarantee funds -

- Sustainable Development Innovation" grants are implemented in

the form of annual calls for projects and cover costs linked to the design and implementation of prototyping for new products or services.( innovation)(Wal)

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- Energinser: mobilizing program on "storage". It concerns R & D in the field of renewable energies such as second generation biofuels, photovoltaics, geothermal, emerging sectors and energy storage solutions and storage of CO ² .(Wal)

- WB Green is a mobilising program in order to finance industrial research activities in the area of the environment and sustainable development.(Wal)

- “Green impulse Fund” is a call for proposals for young innovative enterprises and finance up to 100% industrial research or experimental development for a period of two years. Projects must also be linked to the five priority themes of the research strategy 2011-2015 "Towards an integrated research policy" and include the following topics: Sustainability, Energy Technology Research, Health, Lengthening and quality of life.(Wal)

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R&D&I funding

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Support for R&D in public

sector and industry

Collaborative grants

- (Wal) Private Public Partnership -Call 2014 – topics: o Sustainable development; o Energy; o Research in technological fields; o Health; o Prolongation of the duration and quality of life.

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Group of

policy measures


Specific measure



Generic focus on

eco-innovation


ent


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Other relevant


energy, etc) - Enterprise Flanders subsidises cooperation towards sustainable

materials management, reuse of waste energy X X X

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- Thematic incubators are available for young innovating companies: - In the area of engines specific to the Spa-Francorchamps Campus. - Wallonia Space Logistics offers a host structure for entrepreneurial

projects linked to environmental technologies

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- Ecolgiepremie (financial support for the cleantech installations) X

R&D infrastructure

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- Tax incentives for R&D

and start-ups -

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Fiscal measures

Tax incentives for R&D personnel -

- Eco-climate Training voucher- this is a financial support for the

continuous training of workers in the area of the environment. X

- GreenSkills : continuing and vocational training for an eco-innovative Walloon industry. The Walloon Competitiveness cluster “GreenWin “, in partnership with the 3 main sectoral federations (Essenscia, CCW and ECGF) and with centers of competence, has developed trainings for workers, but also universities, research centers and government agencies (Wal)

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X Tailored training courses

for companies, entrepreneurs

- Kmo-portefeuille (support for environmental consulting) - The Walloon Region has established a network of "facilitators" to

provide advice to companies wishing to invest in the field of eco-innovation: information and advice on support, etc.. Their intervention is free (Wal)

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- Companies can also benefit from the support of UWE and UCM ( business organisations) Environmental Councillors. Their role is to inform Walloon companies about environmental regulations and help them incorporate the environment into their day-to-day management.(Wal)

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Education, training and

mobility

Advise/consulting for start ups, companies, entrepreneurs

- “Premio".is a support mechanism for consultancy and eco-management enabling SMEs to have recourse to skills in different areas. Specifically, this grant is for non-technological eco-innovation

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Group of

policy measures


Specific measure



Generic focus on

eco-innovation


ent


ent


Other relevant


energy, etc)

(Wal)

- AMURE program- the Walloon Region grants companies a subsidy for them to carry out an energy audit of their installations.(Wal)

- consultancy support for SMEs that also covers costs linked to the

use of an approved expert for the introduction of an environmental management system or the improvement of the company's environmental management and sustainable development strategy; these support mechanisms cover the introduction of environmental management systems of the EMAS or ISO 14100 type.(wal)

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Placement schemes for students

Support for R&D workers recruitments



Group of

policy measures


Specific measure



Generic focus on

eco-innovation


ent


ent


Other relevant


energy, etc)

- The CAP 2020 cluster (CAP stand for “Constructeurs, Architectes, Producteurs”): formed in 2008, groups Walloon enterprises active in the building industry including contractors, architects, producers and suppliers of materials and services. The main priorities of the cluster are the reduction of energy consumption by 20% and achieving a 30% share of renewables in energy consumption by buildings.(Wal)

- Greenwin: Walloon competitiveness Cluster dedicated to new environmental technologies. The most eco-innovative sectors of the pole are Green chemistry, sustainable construction, recycling and environmental remediation.

- VAL+ is the solid waste cluster

- TWEED- sustainable energy cluster

- (Wal) Greenwal : is a centre of excellence in the sector of sustainable construction.Greenwal offers to contractors, architects, consultants, manufacturers of materials and systems, certification and construction professionals:

o Training o Conferences on innovative topics o A demonstration area of innovation

- Cefochim is a competence center in the field of chemistry and the life sciences. It provides inter alia training in the field of green chemistry. Its mission is to train production, maintenance and control staff. Cefochim also provides a monitoring mission, intercompany training, distance learning and training for job seekers. (Wal)

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- Forem Environnement is a competence center in the area of environmental, waste, and energy management, including the rational use of energy and renewable energy. It offers various training tailored to its target audiences: entrepreneurs and workers, jobseekers teachers and students. (Wal)

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- greenbridge science Park, based in Ostend, provides infrastructure, counselling, and financial resources to high-tech startups focuses on energy efficiency and now ‘Blue Energy,’ (offshore wind, hydro and marine power).

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- Greenville is a new business centre for green organizations, providing offices, meeting rooms, and event spaces. X X X X X

Networks and partnerships

Competence centres, clusters, science-technology parks

- EMRA (Environment and Materials Research Association) brings X X X X X



Group of

policy measures


Specific measure



Generic focus on

eco-innovation


ent


ent


Other relevant


energy, etc)

together the expertise of six Centres of Excellence in Environment , Materials and Processes to address major economic and social challenges in a sustainable development. These six research centers are - Certech ( Centre of Technological Resources in Chemistry ) CRIBC ( Research Centre of the Belgian Ceramic Industry ) , CTP ( Centre Earth & Stone,) INISMa (Interuniversity Institute of Silicates , soil and materials ) , the INS (National Institute of Silicates ) and Materia Nova ( center of excellence in innovative materials) which chose to join in " EMRA ". EMRA offers quality services both locally and internationally in the field of analysis , testing, advice, expertise, certification, product development / process , research and innovation. .(Wal)

- Certech is a center of excellence on technological resources in chemistry. Its Research & Development are transverse and include the following topics: • Health and safety: evaluation of air quality, risk and environmental impact • Energy: advanced materials, sustainable technologies, renewable resources origins • Recycling: waste management and material recycling and / or energy. As a research center, Certech benefits from synergies with its other areas of expertise based on materials and process intensification. Actions’ Certech favor an approach Cradle to Cradle C2C and integrate the "industrial ecology" approach. .(Wal)

- CEBEDEAU: Centre of Expertise in management and water treatment. (Wal)

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Employment-Environment Alliance (focused on construction and sustainable renovation) developed different actions, for example (Wal): o Integrated development platform GREENWAL was created in 2012

as part of the alliance-job environment.It combines professional training, technological innovation, R&D, forecasting,advice in the area of construction/sustainable renovation, environmental performance of buildings and eco-design.

o Creation of sustainable enterprises Clubs. They try to meet economic

and environmental concerns of professional’s construction. Six of

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Group of

policy measures


Specific measure



Generic focus on

eco-innovation


ent


ent


Other relevant


energy, etc) these clubs are platforms twenty companies which cooperate with each other, form, inform and stimulate each other. X X X

Symbiose Biomaterials Innovation Platform in Wallonia, aims at bringing to the market new innovative products and processes in the field of Molecular Biomimetics. (Wal)

Brownfield development / the redevelopment of the sites too. See for example Blue gate Antwerp: http://www.bluegateantwerp.eu/en/what

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The NEXT-platform- Circular Economy platform . . (Wal) It is a project designed to promote projects of industrial symbiosis and circular economy in order to minimize the loss of resources (energy, materials, water). The overall objective of the program is to support the sustainable competitiveness of companies through actions involving awareness raising, specialist support, detection of potential synergies and mutualisation with economic potential

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Technology platforms and innovation networks

“Short Cycles” Reference Centre. (Wal) Launched in 2013, the “Short cycles” Reference Centre " is the contact point for any accompanying structure regarding “short cycles”. It will establish a catalog of direct and indirect actors in Wallonia, it will network and strengthen the actors, will foster the emergence of innovative sustainable “ short cycles” projects,.... This initiative aims to highlight local producers and to bring them into relationship with consumers. The Reference Center is set up to help SMEs who choose short circuits to develop.

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"Circular Economy" Reference Centre. (Wal) The missions of the “Short Cycles” Reference centre were then completed with a mission related to the circular economy. The goal is to educate walloon businesses about circular economy but also to coordinate field players on this topic. A business support and assistance in setting up projects will be developed. Financial support will be proposed, in the form of “Circular Economy” grants.

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Group of

policy measures


Specific measure



Generic focus on

eco-innovation


ent


ent


Other relevant


energy, etc)

Foresight and common vision building

A vision of mobility by 2015-2018, adopted recently provides for a series of steps intended to improve daily life for Brussels residents, commuters and tourists. It strives to establish an equilibrium between mobility needs and the quality of life in the region.

Wallonie Eco-design is responsible for carrying out and coordinating the implementation of actions involving awareness raising, promotion and networking relating to eco-design with the target public. (Wal)

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Market intelligence and other forms of information

sharing

Belgium has very advanced environmental regulation and strickt strandards. It has introduced a range of economic instruments such as environmental taxes, charges,

X X X Regulations, targets, cap

& trade schemes

The Brussels‐Capital Region continues encouraging environmental management in private and public sector enterprises through the “Eco‐dynamic Enterprise” label.

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Regulations and

standards Performance standards,

labeling, certification

On the 3rd of July 2009, an Action Plan for Sustainable Procurement was adopted at the federal level. Four circulars on different product groups were already in force.

In the Flemish Region, an Action plan for Sustainable Procurement was adopted by the regional government the 5 June 2009.

Brussels Capital City has a circular on sustainable procurement since February 2009.

The Walloon region prepares a decree on sustainable procurement and 4 circulars. Three of them have been already approved.

X X X X

“Green“ public procurement of goods and

services

R&D procurement

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Public procurement

Pre-commercial Enterprise Flanders provides subsidies for sustainable site management in X X X



Group of

policy measures


Specific measure



Generic focus on

eco-innovation


ent


ent


Other relevant


energy, etc) business parks (one call was published, a new one is expected in 2014). E.g. sustainable group purchases and infrastructure needed to reach ‘CO2 neutrality’

X X X

procurement

Enterprise Flanders has a whole portfolio of measures to support the implementation of eco-innovation. Eg Ecolgiepremie (financial support for the cleantech installations), Kmo-portefeuille (support for environmental consulting).

Advisory support for technology adopters

Enterprise Flanders has a whole portfolio of measures to support the implementation of eco-innovation. Eg Ecolgiepremie (financial support for the cleantech installations), Kmo-portefeuille (support for environmental consulting).

X X X X X

Technology Transfer

Financial or fiscal support for technology adopters

(e.g. grants for purchasing new technology)

There are several tax cuts for passive houses. Recently, homes "low energy" and "zero energy" can also benefit from a tax reduction in Belgium.

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Investment award or exemption from property tax to companies involved in an investment program or which are carrying out one or more operations contributing decisively to sustainable development.

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The first part of these support mechanisms covers investments relating to the protection of the environment. The other part of these support mechanisms covers the rational use of energy resources

Tax incentives for consumers (e.g. for

purchasing environmentally efficient

products) Intervention rates in this area are higher in the case of SMEs than for large companies: between 15% and 20% for large companies, and between 30 and 35% for SMEs

Support of private demand

Tax reductions for products and services



Group of

policy measures


Specific measure



Generic focus on

eco-innovation


ent


ent


Other relevant


energy, etc) (e.g. VAT reductions)

The construction of a single family passive house in Wallonia is subsidized by the Walloon Region. The premium is € 6,500 for the construction of a passive single family home. The installation of a ventilation system with heat recovery in a housing is another example.

The EcoPack is a loan at 0% for the wish to improve the energy performance of their home by renovating Walloon households.

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Eco-vouchers are provided by the employers as supplement “green” bonus to the salaries. These eco-vouchers allow buying sustainable products and services (e.g. transport)

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Demand subsidies (e.g. eco-vouchers, consumer

subsidies)

All three regional authorities promotes a wide range of activities via online platform, publications, TV and radio, public actions.

X X X X X

Awareness raising and information provision

About the Eco-Innovation Observatory (EIO)

The Eco-Innovation Observatory (EIO) is an initiative financed by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for the Environment. Since 2009 the Observatory has been developing an integrated information hub on eco-innovation addressed to business, policy makers, innovation service providers and researchers. The EIO supports the implementation of the European Eco-Innovation Action Plan of the European Commission.

Visit our website and get full, free access to the EIO’s reports and databases.

www.eco-innovation.eu

Documents

Eco-innovation in Belgium - European Commission€¦ · With 0.03% of GDP, Belgian governments R&D outlays in the area of environment and energy is below the EU average. The top scorers