The idea of BlueApp was born at University of Antwerp as part of the innovation and valorization agenda of the research institution. At the core of this agenda lies the responsibility and need of research institutions to be drivers for innovation ecosystems and enable transfer of vast knowledge and expertise to society. The ultimate ambition is to improve people’s life and our environment in the fight against climate change.

That is why the University of Antwerp initiated BlueApp as an incubator for sustainable chemistry and materials. BlueApp supports the transition to climate-neutral economy by offering collaborative space and creating a synergy that fosters innovation.

BlueApp is the place where start-ups, entrepreneurs, industry and researchers come to develop, upscale and demonstrate technologies that have a potential to decrease greenhouse gases emission, diminish their impact and avert Earth’s rapid warming up. BlueApp supports this by closing the gap between lab-scaled research and pilot scale technology and preparing the promising technologies for the market exploitation.

At BlueApp we are strongly convinced that collaborations and joint efforts in the field of sustainable chemistry are driving forces towards reaching climate neutrality and targets set in the European Green Deal.

Strategic location for unique offering

BlueApp is situated at the BlueGate Antwerp site, a climate neutral business park whose location offers unique opportunities in terms of accessibility and logistics.

Antwerp is the economic driving force of Flanders. It hosts world port of Antwerp-Bruges and the second largest chemical cluster which are one of the engines of Flemish (and Belgian) economy that contribute much to its success and prosperity. Antwerp’s central position with easy access to industrial hot spots in neighboring countries and major local production of chemicals makes it a place to be for chemical companies worldwide.

Infrastructure

BlueApp is a building equipped with labs for disciplines involved in sustainable (bio)chemical processes for the production, treatment or analysis of (bio)materials, gases and liquids and a unique pilot hall.

At BlueApp we enable upscale of sustainable and innovative technologies by offering infrastructure to industry, small companies and start-ups. The focus here is bridging the gap between TRL 3 to TRL 6-7.

Next to these activities we also provide tailored end-to-end analyses of different materials in our multidisciplinary labs equipped with state-of-the-art instruments and designed by research groups of the University of Antwerp.

These types of facilities where infrastructure is being made available to young companies in the field of sustainable chemistry and materials is still scarce in Europe while at the same time vital for the advancement of sustainable technologies and their faster commercialization on the market. This makes BlueApp’ unique selling proposition even more appreciated in the landscape of competitive chemical industry.