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Message from the Editors
Estefanía Morás Jiménez reflects on her journey from contributing to the launch of the Advanced Manufacturing Centre to becoming the new co-editor of InnovatieNU, inviting readers to explore sustainable manufacturing innovations like Industry 4.0, smart textiles, and sustainable packaging for a greener future.
Featured
Leading the Charge in Sustainable Battery Manufacturing
The Fraunhofer Innovation Platform at the University of Twente (FIP-AM@UT) has been awarded the management of the Circular Manufacturing Systems Programme (CMSP), an initiative focused on significantly improving battery manufacturing through enhanced sustainability, automation, and efficiency. Utilising strategic partnerships and cutting-edge technology, CMSP addresses key industry challenges, promotes battery repurposing, and fosters innovation in sustainable practices. Learn how this programme is transforming the future of sustainable manufacturing.
Strategic Response to EU’s Net Zero Push
High-tech manufacturers must navigate the European Union’s net zero goals by balancing innovation with sustainability. This roadmap outlines key strategies, including clean energy adoption, sustainable materials, circular economy initiatives, and carbon offsetting. As stakeholder pressures mount, embracing these changes is crucial for resilience and success. Discover how these approaches can reshape industries and redefine corporate responsibility for a sustainable future.
Lessons Learned
Ethical Marketing Strategies for Sustainable Success in the Netherlands
As sustainability becomes a critical consumer priority, greenwashing—a deceptive practice of exaggerating environmental claims—poses significant risks for manufacturers. Ethical marketing and genuine sustainability are essential to maintain trust. This article explores strategies for avoiding greenwashing, including transparency, evidence-based claims, and regulatory compliance. Discover how manufacturers can align with sustainable practices to foster credibility and make a positive environmental impact.
Greening your company processes
Sustainability is a top priority for businesses, and effective change management is crucial for a successful green transformation. This article explores the essential role of leadership in greening company processes, emphasizing the need for both top-down direction and bottom-up initiatives. Learn how to set strategic green goals, develop leadership skills, and address employees’ emotional needs to facilitate a smooth and impactful transformation.
The Role of Renewable Energy in Sustainable Manufacturing
Renewable energy is pivotal in advancing sustainable manufacturing by reducing environmental impact and optimizing resource use. This article explores how integrating solar power and other renewable sources can lower carbon footprints, enhance efficiency, and provide economic benefits. Examining regulatory frameworks and real-world case studies, it highlights the advantages of renewable energy in manufacturing, including cost savings and reduced emissions.
Sustainability
H2 Future
HyDriven is demonstrating the potential of hydrogen to drive the energy transition towards zero emissions. Originally known as ‘Green Team’ since 2011, the team has rebranded to highlight hydrogen as a key aspect of their identity. With a new name, logo, and colors, HyDriven embodies this commitment. Find out how these changes align with their mission by reading the full article.
AMC NU
AMC NU
Read more about what’s currently going on with the Advanced Manufacturing Program and our Advanced Manufacturing Centre, and discover the many innovation topics we can use our AMP subsidy for to support your business.
Technology & Innovation
Strategic choices future earning power
In the rapidly evolving tech landscape, digitalisation and smart industry are pivotal for future economic growth. For the Netherlands, embracing these changes is vital for strategic autonomy and global competitiveness. This article explores how the National Technology Strategy, with a focus on key technologies like Data & AI, supports the resilience and growth of Dutch SMEs. Read on to learn how these innovations can drive the Dutch manufacturing industry forward.
Boosting Innovation Across Borders
The Manufacturing NextMaterials (MNM) project, part of the Interreg program, supports SMEs in the Dutch-German border region to scale up from prototypes to full production. By providing access to flexible manufacturing technologies and cross-border collaboration, MNM fosters innovation in advanced materials, lightweight components, and sustainable solutions. Explore how MNM is driving economic growth and supporting SMEs in achieving sustainable production goals.
Factory2030
“Factory2030” is a groundbreaking initiative under the NXTGEN Hightech program, aimed at developing the next generation of high-tech equipment. With an investment of €1 billion and collaboration across 330 partners, this project focuses on advanced production technologies in six core domains, including smart industry and biomedical production. Explore how Factory2030 is shaping the future of high-tech manufacturing.
Transforming Heavy Equipment for a Zero-Emission Future
The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) supports the World Class Zero Emission Mobile Equipment project, which aims to develop zero-emission heavy mobile equipment. By integrating advanced technology with sustainability, the project targets the elimination of CO₂, NOx, particulate matter, and noise emissions. Read on to explore the innovative strategies behind this initiative and its potential impact on the heavy mobile industry.
Innovating for a Sustainable and Intelligent Future with Saxion University
Saxion University is pioneering the development of smart textiles that blend technology with sustainability. Their hands-on research emphasizes advanced, eco-friendly textiles with real-world applications in healthcare and beyond. Discover how Saxion is collaborating with partners to drive innovation and address challenges in our full article.
The Role of Additive Manufacturing for a Greener Future
Additive Manufacturing (AM) is revolutionizing sustainable production by reducing waste and enabling lightweight designs. Despite its potential, challenges remain. Davoud Jafari from the University of Twente discusses AM’s transformative possibilities and obstacles. Read the full article to find out more about Jafari’s insights and the future of green manufacturing.
Pioneering the Future of Electric Offroad Riding
STERN Motorcycles, emerging from the Electric Superbike Twente project, is revolutionizing offroad biking with cutting-edge electric technology. Their focus on performance and sustainability includes features like swappable batteries and circular manufacturing. Uncover the details of STERN’s innovations and what lies ahead for the future of offroad motorcycling in the full article.
Environmental footprint calculation of products and production processes using the LCA method
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is crucial for manufacturing companies striving to reduce their environmental footprint. By providing a standardized method for evaluating environmental impacts, LCAs help companies meet regulatory requirements and optimize processes. This article explains the four phases of LCA and demonstrates its application using a bipolar plate example. Learn how implementing LCA can drive sustainability in your operations by reading the full article.
Six Circularity Capabilities for Manufacturing Companies for Success in the Circular Economy
Manufacturing companies aiming to excel in the circular economy must harness six crucial circularity capabilities. These include regulatory mastery, climate-neutral production, life cycle-oriented innovation, ecosystem orchestration, digital technologies, and designing circular business models. This article explores each capability in detail and how they contribute to achieving strategic success. Discover the full scope of these capabilities and their strategic importance by reading the complete article.
Leading the Charge in Sustainable Packaging
Amcor Flexibles Zutphen is leading the way in sustainable packaging innovation within high-tech manufacturing. Since joining Amcor in 2010, the Zutphen plant has focused on aluminium containers, adhering to strict sustainability and functionality standards. This article delves into their innovations, including the 2025 sustainability pledge and recent investments in European R&D. Read the full article to uncover how Amcor is shaping the future of sustainable packaging.
The intersection between sustainable manufacturing & AI
“Green & Smart” explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and sustainable manufacturing intersect to drive efficiency and environmental benefits. With a focus on five core concepts—Smart Product Design, Supply Chain Management, Resource Efficiency, Product Lifecycle Management, and Decision Support—this article highlights AI’s role in enhancing sustainability. Read the full article to uncover how AI is revolutionizing green manufacturing practices and shaping a sustainable future.