Tech Tour Circular 2025

Co-organizing Partners
Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC)

Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC)

The Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) is a non-profit organisation, representing the private sector the private sector in the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU). The CBE JU is a Public-Private Partnership with the European Commission, and which has a total budget of €2 billion. The partnership mobilises investment in innovative processes and production facilities that manufacture high-quality bio-based products as well as in biorefining research and demonstration projects.

Gold Partners
City of Ghent

City of Ghent

Welcome to Ghent, the European Capital of Technology – a thriving hub for Biotech, Cleantech, Healthtech and Digital Tech. Home to groundbreaking biotechnology companies, Ghent has led innovation since the 1970s. With a high-potential biobased ecosystem, and a dedication to developing life sciences solutions, the city is a prime destination for pioneering professionals and organizations. Embracing a circular economy, Ghent is also determined to excel in cleantech and circular economy innovation. With a growing cleantech cluster and dedicated research institutions, cutting-edge technologies can be incorporated for the betterment of the city and its citizens. With a powerful combination of knowledge, experience, and talent, the city continues to attract international investors and skilled professionals. Beyond its technological prowess, Ghent offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and big-city excitement. Boasting a rich cultural heritage, vibrant festivals, arts, canals and serene parks, the city invites those seeking a delightful place to live, study, and work. Whether you're drawn to the innovative tech scene or enticed by the city's captivating ambiance, Ghent awaits with endless opportunities and a warm embrace!

Ghent University

Ghent University

Ghent University is a top 100 university and one of the major universities in Belgium, founded in 1817. Our 11 faculties offer a wide range of courses and conduct in-depth research within a wide range of scientific domains. We are a pluralistic university that is open to all students, regardless of their ideological, political, cultural or social background. Our credo is ‘Dare to think’.

Silver Partners
North Sea Port

North Sea Port

North Sea Port is a cross-border port that consolidates the port areas of Vlissingen, Terneuzen and Ghent. Owing to its central location in the middle of the logistical heart of Europe, North Sea Port is an economic hub. North Sea Port provides 96,750 people with a job in some five hundred companies. The port area is 9,300 hectares wide and comprises 19 docks/harbours and 39 kilometres of quay walls. The multimodal mix of transport connections by road, rail, inland and shortsea shipping and pipelines make sure that daily products reach your home.

Bronze Partners
Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant

Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant

A wide and flexible spectrum of modular unit operations combined with the experience of our highly competent engineers and technicians enables us to translate your biobased lab protocol into a viable industrial process. Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant enables the conversion of renewable feedstocks into biochemicals, biomaterials, biofuels and other bioproducts by using technologies such as biomass pretreatment, biocatalysis, (gas)fermentation, green chemistry and product recovery and purification. Since its establishment in 2008, the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant has grown into a mature organisation employing 140+ dynamic and engaged staff members. From 2013 to 2020, Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant successfully conducted more than 450 bilateral (private) projects with over 150 different small, medium and large sized companies. Along with private, bilateral projects, Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant is currently involved in many consortium-based projects.

VITO4STARTERS

VITO4STARTERS

With the VITO4STARTERS competition, VITO supports young companies that contribute to greater sustainability with technical knowledge, a proof-of-concept and/or access to infrastructure. In this way, VITO strengthens the start-up community and the Flemish economic fabric. VITO highly values sustainability and is very active in the start-up community through its own spin-offs. With VITO4STARTERS, VITO wants to give existing start-ups a boost. VITO thinks in the long term and even after the competition there are various possibilities for collaboration. VITO has several technologies with very high potential and also its own investment fund - the Clean Vision Invest fund.