As of 1 March 2021, no less than 13 new Moonshot projects will start their research into technologies, processes and products that will help Flemish companies become more sustainable and significantly reduce their CO2 emissions by 2050. To fund the projects, the Flemish government has set aside over 19 million euro.
From green butadiene to CO2 conversion technologies
All new projects, which were approved by VLAIO in late 2020, once again fit into the four overarching Moonshot Research Trajectories (MOTs) on biobased chemistry, circulairty of carbon in materials, electrification & radical process transformation, and finally energy innovation. The spectrum of research topics covered by the new projects is broad, and ranges from the production of green butadiene, over the upcycling of multilayered packaging materials, to CO2 conversion technologies and the development of high-temperature heat pumps.
Check the full overview of Moonshot projects to learn more about the new series of projects approved in late 2020.
Check the full overview of Moonshot projects to learn more about the new series of projects approved in late 2020.
Industry-driven research
The strategic basic research within Moonshot is pursued at Flemish universities and knowledge institutes, who are responsible for the scientific development of the disruptive and innovative Moonshot technologies. In a later phase, however, these technologies will have to be deployed on an industrial scale and be implemented by companies. To make sure its research will lead to an actual reduction of industrial CO2 emissions, Moonshot actively involves companies, and in particular the chemical, petrochemical and steel sectors, in its operations through, amongst others, industrial Advisory Boards.
19 million euro
Starting as of 1 March 2021, the projects have a duration of 18 up to 48 months. They are funded by the Flemish government, totalling 19 million euro in future-oriented subsidies. Until 2040, the Flemish government will provide up to 20 million euro in funding for Moonshot each year.