Thursday, 15 October 2026, 13:30 – 16:00 – Council Chamber, Provincial House Boeverbos, Koning Leopold III-laan 41, 8200 Sint-Andries.
Active in the circular economy, construction, water technology, R&D, or industrial innovation? Discover how Zhejiang and West Flanders collaborate on circular innovation through inspiring research projects and concrete practical examples. Also, find out what opportunities this collaboration offers for you, your research institution, or your company!
Program
13:30 Welcome & introduction: Learn about the bilateral collaboration between Zhejiang and West-Flanders and discover the bilateral industrial R&D projects.
Speakers:
• Ann Tavernier, Province of West Flanders
• YUAN Lingling, Department of Science and Technology of Zhejiang Province
13:45 Circular research projects in practice: Get inspired by concrete projects and best practices from Zhejiang and West Flanders. With a special focus on circular solutions in building & construction, water technology, and industrial innovation.
Speakers:
• Stijn Van Hulle, Ghent University
• GUO Yaping, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology
• Wouter Igodt, HelloWater
• LI Jiabin, KU Leuven
• SHEN Linchang, Chairman, Tongxiang Tongde Wall Building Materials Co., Ltd.
• West Flemish companies involved in research projects regarding water technology and building & construction (names TBC)
14:50 New materials and circularity: cross-border opportunities: Discover opportunities for knowledge exchange, research, and collaborative innovation regarding new circular materials and technologies between West-Flanders and Zhejiang.
• Speaker: Frederik Desplentere, KU Leuven
15:00 Matchmaking with Zhejiang: Engage directly with the Zhejiang delegation and explore possibilities for joint research projects, technological collaboration, knowledge exchange, and B2B partnerships. Discover the participating companies via the registration button.
16:00 Closing and networking drinks
Language: English-Chinese (simultaneous translation)
Participation and registration: Participation is free of charge, but please register in advance.
Organizers: The provinces of West-Flanders and Zhejiang.
