POM Limburg Presents Einstein Telescope at Hannover Messe
HANNOVER – The Einstein Telescope – an ambitious cross-border project focused on gravitational waves – is receiving international attention this week at the Hannover Messe. POM Limburg, the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO), and Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) are representing Flanders at this leading technology forum, together with partners from the Netherlands, Wallonia, and North Rhine-Westphalia.
The Hannover Messe is considered one of the world’s largest and most influential industry and innovation trade fairs. Each year, more than 100,000 visitors from business, science, and politics gather to discover the latest technological developments. For the Einstein Telescope project, the fair is an excellent opportunity to highlight the collaboration between science and industry and to engage companies to contribute to this unique infrastructure.
Limburg Expertise on the International Stage
With companies such as Aperam, Werkhuizen Hengelhoef, and Boolean, Limburg is showcasing at the fair how local expertise plays a role in a large-scale European project. Among other things, the Beampipes4ET project – which is developing advanced vacuum pipe technology for the future observatory – was presented to an international audience on the first day of the fair. “The Einstein Telescope is not only a scientific milestone, but also a driver of industrial innovation,” says Maxime Corvilain, Valorization Manager Einstein Telescope at POM Limburg. “For our companies, this is a chance to connect their technology to a project of international significance.”
Cross-Border Nature as a Strength
The joint presence at the fair is the result of strong collaboration between Flanders, Wallonia, the Netherlands, and North Rhine-Westphalia. The Euregio Meuse-Rhine – the border region where the three countries meet – is currently being promoted as the ideal location for the Einstein Telescope. “The strength of our candidacy lies in cooperation,” says Corvilain. “From knowledge institutions and companies to governments: this project shows what we can achieve when we think and act across borders.”
International Meetings and Policy Impact
The week at the fair not only includes content-driven sessions and technological demonstrations, but also meetings with policymakers from the countries involved. Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele, together with his Walloon and German counterparts, will visit the stand, where he will engage with Flemish entrepreneurs and researchers about the impact of the project. “For POM Limburg, this is a prime opportunity to position our region as an innovative and reliable partner in one of the most advanced research infrastructures in Europe,” concludes Corvilain.
