This area covers the following products and their components:  

  • tools, machines and equipment for various end markets such as the food industry, medical care and textiles, etc.
  • the components incorporated in them such as ICT equipment, computers, communication and measurement equipment, etc.

 

Why support this area?  

The mechanical and electrical equipment sector is active in Belgium, both in terms of job creation and added value.  Particularly innovative, it occupies a major place in exports and should remain competitive. Future predictions indicate that the number of players in this field is expected to increase worldwide, especially in low-income countries. This is where the circular transition should make the difference for Belgian manufacturers of professional machinery and electronic devices. Belgian companies will have to distinguish themselves by the quality of their production and services as well as by the control of costs for the customer over the entire life cycle as opposed to a lower purchase price.

Being a major consumer of ores, precious metals and rare earth materials, this sector should take into account the threat due to resource scarcity, and therefore the insecurity of supply that hangs over those materials over the next 30 to 50 years. Circularity is one of the answers to reduce its vulnerability.

Moreover, it is in the interest of companies to anticipate the strengthening of the European Ecodesign Directive and the resulting minimum ecodesign requirements for energy-using products by paying increased attention to product reuse and repairability. 

What are the expected projects?  

In the present call we are looking for projects that propose ecodesign solutions for   

  • minimal (primary) use of materials: less materials, more reused parts and more recycled materials; 
  • longer product life and easier maintenance and repair; 
  • facilitating reuse (including "remanufacturing" and "parts harvesting"); 
  • high quality recycling; 
  • traceability and information sharing on products and components; 
  • the return of products and parts. 

We also support the development of new business and consumption models through the following alternative approaches such as product as a service (the customer pays for using the service), shared access and collaborative methods for circular design.

The "life cycle cost" must be integrated into your project. In particular, you should mention the difference between the cost of the original model and the cost of the proposed new model in terms of energy, materials, etc. throughout the life cycle. 

For more details on the projects to be developed under of this theme, read the memorandum.