Researcher

Scientific innovation

VITO is the reference for independent, applied technological research to generate positive impact for a society in transition. Scientifically based, driven by collaboration and solution-oriented.

We combine our domain knowledge of people and the environment with technological innovations, (pilot) infrastructure and digital applications. This is how we realise a measurable impact in Flanders, Europe and the world, in three impact domains.

Impact in three domains

Every day, VITO researchers work on ground-breaking, innovative solutions that provide companies and policymakers with the answers to today's questions. We innovate with technological solutions and actively share our knowledge with companies and governments.

Duurzame grondstoffen

Economy and ecology in balance: we aim to drive economic prosperity through the sustainable use of resources while reinforcing planetary boundaries.

Impactdomein Klimaat

We help companies and governments with climate mitigation and adaptation solutions. We aim to create ecosystems that are more resilient to disasters, thereby enhancing our overall resilience and security.

Impactdomein Leefomgeving

A healthy and sustainable living environment for all is a core element of VITO's vision. Here, we focus on how to maintain a harmonious balance between the human environment, nature, agriculture, and industry.

Some pillars of our scientific research

LignoValue Pillar II

From state-of-the-art labs over unique pilot infrastructure to complete living labs, discover the infrastructure we use to meet your challenges.

VITO project meeting

VITO is involved in projects that support and accelerate the transition to a circular economy, locally and internationally. Find out more.

Onderzoek labo laptop

VITO's experts regularly publishe about their research in scientific and more popular journals to share our knowledge with the research community and society and thus help shape the path to sustainability. Below you will find a selection of these publications.

Data

Stimulating and facilitating data-driven research is the mission of the VITO Data Science Hub.

Let's work together

Find out how our research can help you transition to a more sustainable approach.

COOCK projects

‘Collective Research & Development and Collective Knowledge Dissemination and Transfer (COOCK)’ projects focus on (groups of) companies, with the aim of valorising research results of knowledge institutes by accelerating the introduction of technology and/or knowledge from these knowledge institutes to business cases.

Small and large companies seeking information on and/or wanting to participate in generic cases can apply.

Specific cases from their own business operations can also be proposed for development into innovative services or products using the knowledge of VITO and/or the COOCK partners.

Approved COOCK projects

SmartWaterUse is een collectief interclusterproject met als doel om waterrisico's in kaart te brengen en te verlagen binnen de sectoren van (zee-)voeding, aquacultuur, textiel en toerisme.

Dit COOCK project heeft als doel om de gehele waardeketen van autobatterijrecyclage (herlaadbare Li-Ion) en toepassingen voor stationaire energieopslag te onderzoeken vanuit een economisch, technisch, operationeel en maatschappelijk kosten/baten oogpunt.

VITO is partner in het ‘Open City’ project. Dit project richt zich op het ontsluiten van kennis over datamanagement, data-ontsluiting en datastandaardisatie die aanwezig is bij onderzoeksgroepen van imec, UGent, UAntwerpen en de VUB.

Het project ging op zoek naar oplossingen voor de volgende problemen: de moeilijke bereikbaarheid van bouwwerven, de toename van renovatieprojecten, hoge logistieke kosten en weinig opslagruimte op de werven zelf.

Recent news

Circular material

Het CIRCULAR-C-project, gefinancierd door Horizon Europe, ontwikkelt innovatieve biogebaseerde lijmen en coatings om de circulaire economie in de bouwsector te stimuleren, waarbij het zich richt op betere recycleerbaarheid en milieu-impactvermindering van houtpanelen. Het project, dat in juni 2025 in Alkmaar van start ging en onder leiding staat van VITO, omvat tien partners uit zeven Europese landen en streeft naar de maximalisatie van reststroomvalorisatie en materiaalrecyclage.

VITO & Enabel signing deal

VITO en Enabel hebben een samenwerkingsovereenkomst ondertekend om circulaire en koolstofarme bouwmaterialen in Oekraïne te ontwikkelen, rekening houdend met de wederopbouw na de Russische invasie, en benutten oorlogspuin als grondstof voor duurzame bouwproducten. Deze Memorandum of Understanding draagt bij aan de visie van VITO op duurzaamheid en loopt tot eind 2028.

Inge Neven - Minister-President Diependaele - Vincent Wille Agfa

Agfa and VITO have solidified a long-term strategic research partnership on green hydrogen technology, witnessed by the Minister-President of Flanders, focusing on innovations in alkaline water electrolysis and expanding Agfa's ZIRFON membrane production to enhance sustainable energy solutions globally.

legacy image

VITO’s LignoValue Pilot Plant is the first pilot line in Europe to depolymerize lignin and convert it to bio-aromatics. The plant is fully operational and delivers lignin-based materials for development of innovative bio-based products like epoxy resins.

river watchers

Today, VITO and River Cleanup are launching the River Watchers project. This innovative citizen science initiative brings together citizens and artificial intelligence (AI) in the fight against pollution along riverbanks. The premise is simple: anyone with a smartphone can participate. By photographing trash on a walk and uploading the images, each citizen helps map river pollution.

plasique fantastique

Ports are undergoing transformation with art as a catalyst for systemic change, where creative interventions contribute to innovative solutions.

More news and project updates >