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

lab energyville

Commissioned by the Einstein Telescope EMR project office, a research consortium comprising EnergyVille partners Hasselt University, KU Leuven, VITO, and imec will investigate how the Einstein Telescope in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion can be powered using sustainable energy. The study will also identify the associated challenges and opportunities, as well as the costs involved.

viable lignovalue pilot vito

In April 2025, the LignoValue Pilot Plant successfully completed its first large-scale delivery of depolymerised lignin under the LIFE VIABLE project — a major step forward in sustainable materials innovation at VITO.

xbat.ai

Tienen/Mol, Belgium – As the number of battery-powered devices continues to rise, efficient and safe battery sorting becomes increasingly vital. Xbat.ai, a joint venture between Sortbat (60%) – the European leader in battery sorting – and VITO (40%) – the Belgian research institute for sustainable technologies – has unveiled a revolutionary sorting system that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and X-ray technology.

Twenty leading organisations across nine countries have joined forces to develop a new class of AI systems. The DVPS project (Diversis Viis, Plurima Solvens) is a flagship initiative aimed at advancing multimodal foundation models (MMFM) – a pioneering domain within AI research. Flemish research organisation VITO has been given a key role in this unique project, focusing on health, geo-AI, and the ethical application of AI.

Microwave-assisted leaching [MWAL] pilot

The EU-funded project PEACOC developed a pioneering microwave-assisted leaching pilot that promises to reduce time, energy and chemicals needed to recover Platinum Group Metals from spent automotive catalysts.

Foto Hi! SIte event waterwinsten voor BT in Vlaams-Brabant

Industrial zones hold significant potential for progress. This was the key takeaway from the event Waterwinsten op bedrijventerreinen, organized by VITO Water Knowledge Centre in collaboration with the municipality of Grimbergen, the Hi! site, and the Strombeek Cultural Centre. Around 80 participants – including policymakers, businesses, and researchers – gathered to address one central question: how can we make industrial sites more resilient to drought and water-related challenges?

More news and project updates >