The R&D activities of Centexbel-VKC support the textile, plastic converting and related companies with the explicit aim to reinforce the innovation capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) and to assist the industry in its transition to a sustainable future. As a research institution created by and for the industry, we initiate and participate in publicly funded pre-competitive research projects and in market-oriented contract research projects.

To guarantee total impartiality and to avoid any conflict of interest, we explicitly exclude all product development in those areas covered by the CE certification scope for which we are accredited.

Degradable coatings increase the biodegradability of coated materials and simplify waste treatment and recycling without impurities from coating polymers.

The aim of the project is to improve the performance of water electrolysis to produce green hydrogen under the best possible technical and economic conditions.

The TEX2CE project 'from linear to circular textiles' aims to encourage textile companies to reuse their current products at end-of-life.

PLASTICE will develop a set of new valorization processes that are aligned with the most relevant roadmaps of chemical recycling technologies at European level.

RELIANCE aims to design and develop smart response self-disinfectant antimicrobial nano-coatings based on a new range of smart antimicrobial nanoparticles.

Development of novel bio-based anti-fouling coating agents that can be used commercially in both marine and terrestrial applications.

PRecycling, a Horizon Europe project, aims to develop an easy-to-use methodology for sorting, sampling, tracing and recycling plastic waste streams, including detection and separation of legacy additives, along with standard analysis procedures for both plastic waste materials and recyclates (secondary raw materials) in order to produce consistently high quality, safe-to-use recyclates based on their degradation degree and added-value products with predicted lifetime.

Creation of a platform of competences for the transition of Walloon companies towards eco-friendly colorants for textile applications

How can a multilayer plastic food packaging be recyclable and at the same time have the optimal barrier properties to ensure the shelf life of food products?

Improved sizings for recycled carbon fibres to optimize adhesion with polymer matrices and to improve processing behaviour for composite manufacturing