Innovative strength of Limburg’s steel industry forms the foundation of the Einstein Telescope
Innovative strength of Limburg’s steel industry drives the foundation of the Einstein Telescope. The Limburg-based companies Werkhuizen Hengelhoef and Aperam, in collaboration with UHasselt and international partners, are developing a revolutionary technique for continuous steel pipe production and underground assembly. This innovative technology plays a crucial role in constructing the Einstein Telescope, which requires 120 kilometers of vacuum pipes.
“The BeamPipes4ET project shows that the Einstein Telescope is already giving Limburg’s economy a significant boost. It further establishes our position as a technological leader ready for new markets,” says Tom Vandeput, Deputy for Economy and Chairman of POM Limburg.
Limburg’s industry as a driver of innovation
The arrival of the Einstein Telescope acts as a catalyst for innovation, enabling traditional industries to develop new technologies and expand internationally. This is beneficial for the local economy. Industrial activities have long been a cornerstone of Limburg’s economic success, contributing significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and accounting for 15% of jobs in the region. Companies such as Werkhuizen Hengelhoef and Aperam are proof that established industrial players continue to innovate.
In the BeamPipes4ET project, these companies are taking a new approach to producing long steel pipes. They use a mobile robot capable of manufacturing and connecting steel pipes on-site using steel rolls, even underground.
“While the techniques for producing underground vacuum pipes are not entirely new or highly complex, the scale at which we apply them is unprecedented,” explains Jef Hoste, business developer and engineer at Werkhuizen Hengelhoef. “As machine builders, we have the expertise to think beyond standard requirements, and that’s exactly what sets us apart.”
“This technological development is a textbook example of how policy initiatives and cross-border collaboration surrounding the Einstein Telescope are driving Limburg’s companies to innovate, expand internationally, and grow,” says Tom Vandeput.
From collaboration to practical applications
The foundation for this collaboration was laid through the Interreg Meuse-Rhine project ET2SMEs, where POM Limburg facilitated cross-border partnerships. This initiative brought together Aperam, Werkhuizen Hengelhoef, Germany’s FEF GmbH, and RWTH Aachen University. Together, they developed the concept of underground vacuum pipe production using laser welding with minimal environmental impact.
Following a successful research phase, this technology is now being scaled up within the BeamPipes4ET project, which has a budget of €2.8 million, half of which comes from European funding. By adding UHasselt, the University of Antwerp, and the Dutch company SBE to the consortium, the technology is being refined and prepared for practical implementation.
The Limburg steel industry prepares for the future
A significant portion of the activities is taking place in Limburg. Werkhuizen Hengelhoef is designing and building the mobile welding robot, while Aperam supplies the raw materials for the pipes. The welding equipment, developed by FEF GmbH, undergoes extensive testing at UHasselt. This collaboration strengthens the Limburg steel industry’s reputation as an innovative and forward-thinking sector.
“Aperam is providing technical support to the project by advising on various steel options. Our goal is for one of our own products to play a key role in the project,” says Jimmy De Wilde, Plant General Manager of Aperam Genk. “Aperam stainless steel is made from recycled materials, meaning that if the telescope is built, every citizen of Limburg who has contributed stainless steel to recycling centers will have played a part in its realization.”
“At UHasselt, three research groups are contributing to this project. Their complementary expertise will allow them to inspect the welds of the kilometers-long underground vacuum pipe system physically, mechanically, and microscopically to ensure optimal quality,” adds Professor Ronald Thoelen, Dean of the Faculty of Industrial Engineering at UHasselt.
More than just a technical project
The provincial government recognizes the strategic importance of this project and supports it with a co-financing grant of €145,800. “This investment aligns with our broader strategy to strengthen Limburg’s economic, technological, and scientific position,” says Tom Vandeput.
“The techniques being developed here not only bolster our bid for the Einstein Telescope but also create opportunities for industries that require pipeline and large-scale piping systems. BeamPipes4ET is more than a technical project. It exemplifies how collaboration, innovation, and international ambition are preparing Limburg for future challenges and opportunities, reaffirming our role as a leader in industrial innovation.”
