B-PHOT Prof. Nathalie Vermeulen Contributes to Opinion Article on Belgium’s Industrial Renaissance
Together with VUB professors Elvira Haezendonck and Alain Verbeke, B-PHOT professor Nathalie Vermeulen has contributed to an opinion article in Knack about the need for an industrial renaissance in Belgium. The article emphasizes the importance of manufacturing industry in Belgium and Europe, and the need for innovation support through platforms such as PhotonHub PHACTORY.
B-PHOT professor Nathalie Vermeulen has co-authored an opinion article in Knack that highlights the critical need for an industrial renaissance in Belgium. Together with VUB professors Elvira Haezendonck and Alain Verbeke, she emphasises the importance of revitalising the manufacturing industry to secure Belgium’s and Europe’s economic future.
In the article, the authors argue that Belgium must make a conscious choice to strengthen its industrial base, warning that deindustrialisation would weaken the country’s long-term competitiveness and strategic autonomy. They stress that manufacturing is not only key to economic growth but also essential for addressing societal challenges, including sustainability and technological sovereignty.
The authors advocate for stronger support for industrial innovation and highlight the role of initiatives such as the PhotonHub PHACTORY platform, which provides companies with access to advanced photonics technologies and expertise. By investing in such innovation platforms, Belgium can help its industry remain competitive, future-proof, and capable of leading in high-tech manufacturing.
