VITO: The science-to-technology partner for businesses, governments and citizens in their transition towards sustainability

In the next thousand years, science may take us far away. At the same time, it can also make sure we have a home to return to. A world where we use resources wisely. Where we don’t change the climate, but adapt to it. And where humanity thrives just as much as the environment we live in. At VITO we accelerate breakthrough innovation, turning scientific insights into practical technologies and real-world applications.

Science-to-technology partner

We accelerate technological breakthroughs and mobilise the power of science & engineering to achieve innovations that foster sustainability. Expert scientists are organised in unique domains and cross-disciplinary research programs within VITO and its partner networks. Leveraging our unique test and scale-up infrastructure, we test and improve the viability and scale-up potential of sustainable innovations and reduce their adoption risk. By valorising our solutions worldwide and creating and supporting start-ups, we enable their adoption in viable economic, industrial and societal networks to ensure benefits get reaped in the real world.

Maximising our impact in three impact domains

In a sustainable future, people, nature and economy are always in balance. With knowledge, innovations and technology, we can make a difference in the transition towards a regenerative economy, resilient ecosystems and a healthy environment.

Towards a regenerative economy

VITO is a driving force in the transition towards an economy where the focus is on the sustainable management and use of natural resources. In the sustainability transition, well-integrated ecosystems are aligned, allowing them to reinforce each other. Think of the exchange of waste heat between companies so it does not go to waste, integrated management of water or the use of waste products as raw materials. Circularity, bio-economy, water and energy are our spearheads within the broad raw materials domain.

We want to shift from the current economic models towards an economy that fully operates on sustainable resources and enhances environmental, social and economic conditions simultaneously.

Create resilient ecosystems

We map climate risks, provide technological solutions and develop scenarios for a resilient future. This is needed in response to the increasingly erratic and unpredictable climate of today and tomorrow. The end goal remains limiting temperature rise and carbon neutrality in Europe by 2050. Adaptation and resilience are key spearheads here for VITO, to deal with the impact of climate change and to act decisively in the event of a crisis.

We create resilient ecosystems that are designed to withstand and adapt to various challenges, reducing our vulnerability to calamities and enhancing our safety.

Live in a healthy environment

A nice, healthy and sustainable environment for everyone to live in is a key element of VITO’s vision. Health, social justice and economic prosperity are central to this. VITO contributes to this by, among other things, developing models and technologies for measuring and minimising the harmful impact on people and the environment (water, soil, air) and realising a viable urban infrastructure. In the small, densely populated region of Flanders, this challenge is great, but by starting from different areas of expertise, we can develop integrated solutions.

We want to create healthy environments and living conditions to support human health and well-being. Ensuring clean air, water and soil. And ensuring access to nutritious food and safe, decent, and affordable housing in smartly organised public space.