By bringing innovative SMEs, educational institutions and heritage organisations together, a Rotterdam-based project aims to encourage green mobility solutions that boost the local economy and improve the region’s quality of life.
- 14 June 2016
This project combines the best of authentic craftsmanship with innovative modern techniques and clean mobility concepts. The knowledge and skills gained and shared within this initiative will contribute to a cleaner Rotterdam and its surroundings. Isn’t that beneficial for everyone?
The EU-funded Mobile Heritage Centre (MEC) was set up in Rotterdam to help owners and heritage organisations in the sustainable restoration and preservation of used ships, aircraft, cars and trains. In this way, a living historical record of the Netherlands’ transport heritage can be maintained, while improving the environmental performance of vehicles.
Boosting local business
While many small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Rotterdam area are involved in transport-related research and development, they often lack expertise in how best to implement their knowledge and commercialise their ideas.
To address this issue, MEC developed a valorisation knowledge portal which SMEs can use to find help on testing their prototypes or forming partnerships. The key benefits include increased cooperation between SMEs, industry associations and vocational education; sustainable partnerships between start-ups and more experienced SMEs; and the development of new concepts to estimate the technological maturity of a prototype, leading to eventual market launch.
Cross-sectoral expertise
The MEC project has also brought together some of the top economic performers in the region such as the chemical, energy, maritime and transport sectors. New technologies being pioneered through the project include solar cell technology, 3D printing techniques, composite materials and modern ICT tools.
An open innovation environment has brought together entrepreneurs, educational institutions and testing facilities, helping to accelerate the market introduction of new services and products.
The project has also cooperated with Dutch inspection bodies in order to validate new products and research institutions such as Rotterdam University. The knowledge, products and services achieved in the project can be accessed through a digital portal.
Environmental benefits
The project complements ambitions to make Rotterdam and its surroundings a greener and healthier region in which to live. As poor air quality and noise pollution have a major negative impact on quality of life, authorities have prioritised the development of a cleaner transport system and the use of cleaner fuels. The MEC project will contribute to this objective by stimulating sustainable mobility through electrification and the conversion of vehicles to run on solar energy, thus improving air quality and reducing noise.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “MEC – Mobiel Erfgoed Centrum” is EUR 3 605 937, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 1 000 000 through the “Employment and Competitiveness Operational Programme West-Netherlands" for the 2007-2013 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Knowledge Economy, Entrepreneurship and Innovation”.