From R&D to manufacturing: Defence collaborates with Limburg

In Limburg, a new collaboration between government, companies and knowledge institutions has emerged. The joint ambition is clear: faster development, application and upscaling of innovative technologies that contribute to national security, as well as to regional earning capacity and a strong, autonomous industry. 

The new MINDbase desk at Brightlands Chemelot campus provides an easily accessible entry point for entrepreneurs and researchers developing innovative ideas or technologies. For them, an increasing number of 'calls and instruments' will become available in the near future, offering  opportunities to get involved, such as OP Zuid and SDIR.

The Regio Team Limburg, with MINDbase as its physical landing place, is a collaboration between the ministries of Defence and Economic Affairs, Province of Limburg, Brightlands Chemelot Campus and LIOF. Region Team Limburg is part of the national MINDbase network of seven regions, coordinated by ODIN (Orchestrating Defense Innovation). Limburg fulfils an additional role in this as national coordinator for the smart materials theme, one of Defence's focus areas.

Menno Smeelen, regional coordinator Limburg at Defence and MINDbase manager: "Brightlands Chemelot Campus offers access to critical raw materials and smart materials and, in terms of location, is the ideal landing spot in Limburg. In addition, research and development (R&D) and the manufacturing industry come together in the region, allowing us to further develop materials into applications that can be produced in a scalable way."

Faster from idea to application

Together, we connect companies and knowledge institutes to concrete innovation questions of Defence. Entrepreneurs, from startups to large companies, can come to MINDbase with relevant innovations for Defence in five areas: smart materials, sensors, quantum technology, space technology and intelligent systems. Think drone and sensor applications, lightweight composites and other dual-use innovations that are crucial for the Netherlands' future military and economic clout. Edwin Bakker, business development manager and key account manager at Brightlands Chemelot Campus, says: "With these complex issues, you can only get up to speed if you are close to the companies and have the right R&D infrastructure, and you can find that on the campus and our international ecosystem."

An example of a regional application is Dyneema® from Avient: the strongest fibre in the world that is partly found in bulletproof vests and helmets. Edwin Bakker: "Dyneema® was developed on campus, the raw materials are produced on the Chemelot site and production takes place in Heerlen." Earlier, the Light weight Modular BRidGe (LMBRG), a lightweight, foldable bridge for swampy areas, was also presented.

In addition, in 2025, together with CHILL and Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, the first practical projects with talent in the field of 3D printing technologies and corrosion protection were started. Menno Smeelen: "Students worked with motivation on tangible innovation issues, such as the design of a 3D-printed brace for wounded soldiers."

Sustainable cooperation structures

LIOF, as a regional development company, plays a central role in connecting startups, scale-ups and SMEs to the innovation needs of Defence and the wider defence chain. Roy Golsteijn, business developer and ecosystem developer at LIOF: "In Limburg, many companies are active in high-performance materials, coatings, sensor technology and other high-value applications, among others. It is precisely this knowledge and technology that dovetails well with Defence's increasingly specific innovation demands. We bring entrepreneurs, knowledge institutions and chain partners together around concrete opportunities and build sustainable partnerships. In this way, we not only strengthen the innovative power towards Defence, but also the regional economic earning capacity and strategic position of Limburg."

The Limburg Region Team supports companies in exploring opportunities and forming consortia for development and upscaling. Also for finding funding, through grants, venture capital (such as SecFund) and European programmes.

From innovation to impact

Roy Golsteijn: "Defence's innovation issues are becoming increasingly specific. This offers precisely opportunities for Dutch companies to make a targeted difference. In the coming years, we expect a strong increase in concrete calls and cooperation opportunities." Some of these issues are translated into so-called SDIR (Strategic Defense Innovation Research) challenges. These are low-threshold calls that allow SMEs and startups to enter directly. SDIR is thus an ideal tool to get in touch with Defence and the wider defence chain.

In the field of innovation grants, too, we see that more and more schemes can be used for defence applications. A key example is OP South, but there are instruments for almost every stage of development, such as MIT Feasibility and MIT R&D Collaborative Projects or Euroregional opportunities via Interreg STIPP. 

Do you have a relevant technology or application? Now is the time to get involved. Mail to: mindbase@mindef.nl.