This week marked a significant milestone as the first concessionaires signed up for NextGen Demo, the pioneering innovation hub situated within the NextGen District at the heart of the Antwerp port. Power to Hydrogen and TripleW have opted to utilise the port environment to trial their innovative projects in energy transition and circularity. The collaborative efforts of both entities align seamlessly with the ambitious objectives of Port of Antwerp-Bruges and are poised to play a pivotal role in the transition towards a climate-neutral society.

Nestled within the expansive 88-hectare NextGen District, NextGen Demo serves as a dedicated zone spanning approximately 2 hectares, where start-ups, scale-ups, spin-off companies, and pilot projects can test novel technologies and circular demo projects on a larger scale within an industrial setting, fostering innovation before commercialisation.

The inaugural participants, Power to Hydrogen and TripleW, epitomise the ethos of NextGen Demo as an incubator for sustainable innovations in feedstock raw material and energy transition. Power to Hydrogen aims to accelerate the shift towards a green hydrogen economy through AEM electrolysis technology. This groundbreaking approach has the potential to significantly reduce the cost of green hydrogen production using renewable energy. Meanwhile, TripleW seeks to address food waste and plastic pollution by developing an industrial process to produce lactic acid entirely from food waste, serving as a raw material for biodegradable plastics and biochemicals.

Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, expressed enthusiasm about the potential of NextGen Demo to facilitate the integration of innovative technologies within the port and industrial landscape. Annick De Ridder, Chair of the Board of Directors, highlighted the pivotal role of the cluster of circular companies in accelerating the transition towards a climate-neutral society and welcomed the investments and innovation brought forth by Power to Hydrogen and TripleW.

For Power to Hydrogen, CEO Paul Matter sees the installation in NextGen Demo as a pivotal step in demonstrating the viability of AEM electrolysis technology within a port environment, positioning Port of Antwerp-Bruges as a frontrunner in the development of a green hydrogen ecosystem. Similarly, TripleW CEO Tal Shapira lauded NextGen Demo as a leading platform for innovative technologies focused on sustainability and circular economy, offering an ideal environment for groundbreaking environmental solutions.

With the commencement of these transformative projects, NextGen Demo is poised to catalyse innovation, collaboration, and progress towards a more sustainable future within the Antwerp port and beyond.

For more information visit www.portofantwerpbruges.com