i4.0_smartfactories.jpg

INDUSTR_I4.0

Program: Interreg VI Germany-NetherlandsDuration: Jan. 2024 – Dec. 2027Funding: €10 millionLead Partner: Oost NL

Project Details

Industry 4.0, also known as Smart Industry, revolves around the use of digital technologies to make products, processes, and services smarter, more efficient, and better connected. Examples include artificial intelligence, data analysis, robotics, cobots, the Internet of Things, and digital twins. Through the Interreg VI project INDUSTR_I4.0, Dutch and German SMEs and innovation partners are collaborating to accelerate the adoption and implementation of these technologies in the manufacturing industry. INDUSTR_I4.0 supports SMEs in exploring cross-border collaboration, assessing the technical, organizational, and economic feasibility of an innovation, and developing or scaling up digital products, processes, and services. A total of €10 million is available for this purpose. Entrepreneurs can receive a fixed grant of €1,250 for an exploratory study, up to €10,000 for a feasibility study, and up to €50,000 for an innovation project. For feasibility studies and innovation projects, collaboration with an independent organization from the neighboring country is a requirement. <h2>Why is this important?</h2>The digital transition offers significant opportunities for the (manufacturing) industry, but not every company has yet learned to capitalize on those opportunities. Research shows that only 15% of entrepreneurs in the Dutch-German border region use advanced Industry 4.0 technology. Furthermore, digital solutions are often still developed in isolation from one another. As a result, a large group of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) risks falling behind the digital frontrunners. INDUSTR_I4.0 makes digital innovation concrete and achievable for these companies. The emphasis is not on developing entirely new technologies or the standard purchase of software, but on innovative applications of existing digital technology. By bringing together Dutch and German organizations with complementary knowledge and expertise, solutions are created that enable companies to innovate their products, processes, and services. In this way, INDUSTR_I4.0 contributes not only to the digital development of individual companies but also to a stronger, smarter, more connected, and future-proof (manufacturing) industry in the Dutch-German border region.<h2>Who is INDUSTR_I4.0 for?</h2>INDUSTR_I4.0 is aimed at:<ul><li data-list-item-id="ede197a25d21f92b4122b333d50739aa4">SMEs active in the (manufacturing) industry and located within the Interreg Deutschland-Nederland program area; </li><li data-list-item-id="eba5be104b668a1ac484163f273e635e4">Dutch and German companies and other independent organizations that wish to collaborate across borders on a digitalization challenge; </li><li data-list-item-id="ef117551ff9d41ae4585204ed08038342">companies with innovation-related questions in areas such as AI, deep learning, data analysis, robotics, cobots, IoT, AR/VR, cloud and edge computing, cybersecurity, digital twins, smart factories, or smart logistics. </li></ul><h2>What does INDUSTR_I4.0 offer?</h2>INDUSTR_I4.0 accelerates the practical application of digital technology and strengthens the innovative capacity of the Dutch-German border region.Among other things, the project will achieve:<ul><li data-list-item-id="ead255b5b50b54cbb155b671b931c7ae1">80 cross-border digital innovation projects;</li><li data-list-item-id="eab41bbc35bb588179c5d11b5ba0037e5">80 feasibility studies for future digital innovations;</li><li data-list-item-id="e3d6b575c89471b0ebc6fc8cdd598f904">support for approximately 200 entrepreneurs in the border region;</li><li data-list-item-id="e7a01ad1ac9ee870216478110dde9269b">new prototypes and scalable digital solutions for products, processes, and services;</li><li data-list-item-id="e966eabae18ad0cf11a3f4266b29164d0">new collaborations and knowledge exchange between Dutch and German organizations. </li></ul>Added value for entrepreneurs:<ul><li data-list-item-id="e3e51246a0665fc37cd81000f088bf9b9">access to international knowledge, expertise, and collaboration partners;</li><li data-list-item-id="edb22b10ea87e3557d13113062dbaefc6">new Dutch-German collaborations;</li><li data-list-item-id="e9f3130198dad894d47ce6dca42ce24f0">up to €10,000 in financial support for a feasibility study and up to €50,000 for an innovation project;</li><li data-list-item-id="e8f1d986666c51fbb9b3fc6b2f23f3477">the opportunity to assess the feasibility of an innovation before making larger investments;</li><li data-list-item-id="ec9021bca56a8f5ede48ebfa1be02107e">practical application of digital technology within one’s own company;</li><li data-list-item-id="ef4b50215530fd8679b8c1c96e504a08c">smarter products, processes, and services, and a stronger position in the digital industry of the future. </li></ul>

SmartSylvan Zomerreeks i40.jpg

During the sweltering summer of 2022, Dr. Parisa Kloss, an urban planner and mother, was walking with her three-year-old son on a sun-drenched square in Düsseldorf. Not a tree in sight, no shade—just concrete. It was a moment of frustration and inspiration. That’s where the idea for SmartSylvan was born: an innovative, mobile tree that adapts to its surroundings. Thanks to the INDUSTR_I4.0 program, SmartSylvan was able to develop a solid proof of concept. Crucial software development, real-time data processing, and autonomous decision-making became within reach. <blockquote>Without INDUSTR_I4.0, we wouldn’t have been able to take this step—they brought our vision to life.</blockquote>Dr. Parisa Kloss, CEO &amp; Founder of SmartSylvan UG

Real-World Example

<h2>Which partners are involved?</h2>INDUSTR_I4.0 is a collaboration between partners from the Netherlands and Germany. Together, they support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the border region in exploring, developing, and implementing digital innovations. They connect entrepreneurs across the border and provide expertise, networking opportunities, and support for feasibility studies and innovation projects.&nbsp;Project partners:<ul><li data-list-item-id="e087d8e61f8231f687765ae12f324cc9e">Oost NL</li><li data-list-item-id="ec151549e1c727478fb86a675eef7609f">NOM / TCNN</li><li data-list-item-id="e0cb00f584152fe7c7e61afa8a8b6e85c">WIR 4 / MCC</li><li data-list-item-id="efa44c90ca67770ad829435cfdc21e47b">Brabant Development Agency (BOM)</li><li data-list-item-id="e7880ebc5834b415df20c8a4e6feed081">LIOF</li><li data-list-item-id="efbdd22e882d8187677bc22a126ef8210">GEMIT</li><li data-list-item-id="e752c7eb14a9c017ff006f84f17463327">FH Münster / TAFH</li><li data-list-item-id="e76558bc11163c9566b6ddd74c0b2b581">Emsland GmbH&nbsp;</li></ul><h2>Interested in the project?</h2>The digital transition offers plenty of opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing industry. INDUSTR_I4.0 helps entrepreneurs turn these opportunities into concrete applications and brings together Dutch and German companies with complementary knowledge and expertise. The project supports entrepreneurs in finding collaboration partners, conducting feasibility studies, launching innovation projects, securing grants, and sharing knowledge.&nbsp;Would you like to know what opportunities INDUSTR_I4.0 offers your company, are you looking for a collaboration partner in Germany or the Netherlands, or would you like to learn more about the project? Please contact Erwin Altena.Contact:Erwin Altena Project Manager, Oost NL +31 6 14 97 95 33 <a href="mailto:erwin.altena@oostnl.nl">erwin.altena@oostnl.nl</a>&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/240110_Logo_transp_CMYK_KPF_INDUSTR_I4_0_754c36a2f8.jpg?token=zlbXulcCRe_zy0t5KpP3nSdkFjuCboOCf5ZD_6dfzdQ&amp;expires=1786544625" alt="240110 Logo_transp_CMYK_KPF INDUSTR_I4.0.jpg" srcset="https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/thumbnail_240110_Logo_transp_CMYK_KPF_INDUSTR_I4_0_754c36a2f8.jpg?token=phGMy5Xg3CUQGgk__8LLDOMCxk1tpz3-pkyahDvG-i4&amp;expires=1786544625 245w, https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/small_240110_Logo_transp_CMYK_KPF_INDUSTR_I4_0_754c36a2f8.jpg?token=LZ-OTVh7g14XcTqazxbccRkgM-DnWQjCRzi61n0Whfg&amp;expires=1786544625 500w, https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/medium_240110_Logo_transp_CMYK_KPF_INDUSTR_I4_0_754c36a2f8.jpg?token=taUvfUH84qxuIUhaLThD4i-elL4SGysIKdToAlIFhIg&amp;expires=1786544625 750w, https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/large_240110_Logo_transp_CMYK_KPF_INDUSTR_I4_0_754c36a2f8.jpg?token=clBrZBKAsoHUCJYgmyPrR-qIhe5zV083wEdC440MYWI&amp;expires=1786544625 1000w" sizes="100vw" width="1000"></figure>

INDUSTR_I4.0 accelerates the digital transition within the (manufacturing) industry in the Dutch-German border region. The focus is on the adoption and implementation of digital technology to accelerate innovation among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). While a small portion of the business community has benefited from support in the area of the digital transition in recent years, a larger portion is struggling to capitalize on the opportunities it offers. The so-called “peloton” thus risks falling further and further behind the leading group and losing touch.&nbsp;