Walloon Region (BE3)

General Information

  • Namur
  • 16.844 km2   (2015)
  • 3.679.181 (2022)
  • 115.394,13 (2021)
  • % of the National GDP 22,97 (2021)
  • % of Unemployment 8,40 (2022)
  • Regional GERD (%) 3,34 (2019)
  • S3 related National Website 
Urban Data Platform

S3 Thematic Platforms

S3 Priorities

2021-2027

Name Description
Circular materials It brings together innovative activities related to the “circularization” of materials, with a view to reducing resource consumption, increasing regional autonomy and developing new market opportunities. These activities are based on the regional technological expertise in materials processing as well as the presence of recoverable natural resources. Circular materials are inert or biosourced materials that can be processed at different stages to ensure their future waste status is time-shifted or completely avoided. Ecodesign and in particular with second generation materials Industrial symbiosis The stimulation of the economy of re-employment, of the repair of these materials by mobilizing the actors of the social economy Innovation in the recycling of these materials through new technologies, but also other forms of organisation or financing. An innovative approach to logistics, particularly through reverse logistics and the physical internet, is a lever of transversal support to all these activities.
Innovations for enhanced health  Evolution towards a health system that is both cutting-edge and inclusive, implemented through innovations based on technology in interaction with humans.  An ambitious and coherent set of innovative activities of a technological, organisational and social nature to ensure the transformation of the health system in the broad sense, in its preventive, diagnostic and curative missions. To strengthen Wallonia’s distinctive strengths as an international leader in biotechs and medical technologies, and to respond to the challenge of preserving health capital for all citizens in the context of the Covid-19 crisis. Development of new products and solutions for growing markets: home health; e-Health (electronic health) and m-Health (mobile-health).
Innovations for agile and safe design and production methods  The reindustrialisation of the economy and the modernisation of industry in the broad sense have been one of the major priorities of governments at European and Walloon regional levels for some years.  Innovative activities related to Industry 4.0 and advanced manufacturing processes, development of digital technologies for the modernization of production tools, development and integration of advanced or composite materials, and additive technologies. It is based on Wallonia’s distinctive skills in areas such as advanced manufacturing (among other additive) and advanced materials, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence as well as design and simulation tools for the design of new inserts, motors and structural parts. # Industry of the future Advanced manufacturing technologies #Advanced materials #Intelligent functional materials #Bio-inspired materials #IoT #AI #Cybersecurity #Digital simulation #Design and simulation tools
Sustainable Energy Systems and Housing This Strategic innovation area (SIA) includes new solutions for green energy transition and future housing.   This SIA will be based mainly on the distinct strengths and innovative activities of Wallonia in the engineering, design and simulation of more energy-efficient systems and parts, energy storage and integrated management of energy production and consumption flows within industrial production, buildings and integrated communities ('smart grids'), integrated traffic flow and network management, innovative solutions for improving the energy efficiency of buildings, specifically new insulating materials and/or energy sensors, digital solutions related to security, modelling, simulation and monitoring of energy consumption and performance of buildings, as well as skills in biomass valorization. #Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Industry #Renewable Energy #Energy Storage and Distribution #Design and Simulation of Energy-Efficient Parts/Systems/Components #Low-Carbon Mobility #Green Chemistry #Eco-Sustainable Construction
Agri-food chains of the future and innovative environmental management Innovative activities to support the emergence of high value-added and market potential products and services within a sustainable and circular agro-food system. Wallonia’s current strengths in research and innovation in the agri-food sector are focused on: food quality and safety; sustainable and circular agri-food systems; nutritional and functional ingredients; and industrial biotechnologies (white biotechnologies).   In order to ensure the long-term sustainability of natural ecosystems (soil health and water cycle), the Walloon potential in the field of environmental ecosystem and biodiversity monitoring services, agroecology and sustainable agricultural/forestry innovation will be strengthened. Healthy Food – Food Quality – Food Safety – Food Systems – Logistics – Nutritional and Functional Ingredients – Industrial Biotechnology – Technologies for Environmental Health – Monitoring Environment - Water Cycle - Soil Restoration
Circular Materials It brings together innovative activities related to the “circularization” of materials, with a view to reducing resource consumption, increasing regional autonomy and developing new market opportunities. These activities are based on the regional technological expertise in materials processing as well as the presence of recoverable natural resources. Circular materials are inert or bio-sourced materials that can be processed at different stages to ensure their future waste status is time-shifted or completely avoided. This priority also focuses eco-design with second generation materials, industrial symbiosis and the stimulation of the economy of re-employment, of the repair of these materials by mobilizing the actors of the social economy innovation in the recycling of materials through new technologies, and also other forms of organisation or financing.

You can obtain more detail following this link: EYE@RIS3 Priorities

2014-2020

Name Description
Agro-Industry The focus is put on the following strategic axes: health (food and nutritional quality), industrial efficiency, connected food, packaging, sustainable agro-industry
Digital technologies and Industry 4 Smart mobility, e-health, green technologies, Internet of things, serious games, big data, open data, transmedia, 3D stereoscopic imaging, serious games, digital media, Internet and mobile content, scanning and digital archiving, motion recognition
Mechanical engineering Innovative functional systems (machines, industrial or consumer equipments, as well as processes). Comprehensive forming technologies and additive manufacturing , microtechnologies and mechatronics, Intelligent maintenance, metal recycling
Sustainable Transport, Logistics and mobility Multimodality, sustainable logistics, supply chain security, internal logistics and management of industrial processes
Health & well being Health biotechnology and medical technologies Biomarkers, Diagnostics in vitro and in vivo, innovative tools and equipment, medication administration systems, innovative therapies (cell therapy, protontherapy), IT applied to human health, medical equipment, drug discovery, innovative processes and organizational innovations
Sustainable materials and Materials and surface of the future Sustainable materials and Materials and surface of the future (Multifunctional coatings, Biomimicry, Production / Energy Storage, Recycling, Superconductivity), Nanotechnology, Plasturgy (polymers, engineering plastics, elastomers and rubbers, foamed products, composites, technical textiles).
Sustainable chemistry Green Chemistry and bio-based economy, Renewable (bio-sourced) or recycled raw materials, Environmental technologies, new products and systems applied to energy management, sustainable energy and energy efficiency, effluent treatment, re-use or recycling and sustainable building
Creative Economy Creative Economy - Creative Wallonia Plan and Wallonia European Creative District
Aeronautics & space Aeronautics & space. Composite and metallic materials, embedded systems, space applications and systems, modelling and simulation

You can obtain more detail following this link: EYE@RIS3 Priorities

Digital Innovation Hubs

Technical Competences

Services Provided

Market Sectors

You can obtain more detail following this link: Digital Innovation Hubs Tool

Contacts

S3

  • Email: florence.hennart@spw.wallonie.be

S3

  • Email: s3.economie@spw.wallonie.be