A smarter Meuse-Rhine area

REAL

REAL Afbeelding02
Logo REAL EN
  • Bridging innovation & manufacturing SMEs
    01 Apr 2026
  • Development of te REAL COMPASS
    30 Nov 2026
  • COMPASS & TOOLKITS Testing
    31 May 2027
  • mSME co-piloting and innovation with COMPASS
    30 Nov 2027
  • Safeguarding post-project impact
    31 May 2028

Small and medium-sized manufacturing companies (SMEs) are facing major changes. While they are still in the process of automation (Industry 4.0), the next step is already on the horizon: Industry 5.0. This means not only new technology, but also more attention to people, sustainability and flexibility. For many SMEs, it is difficult to participate in this, mainly because they have less money and knowledge. At the same time, companies are required to provide information about sustainability more frequently, and the rules differ from country to country and change often. This makes it particularly difficult and expensive for companies that operate in multiple countries.  

The REAL project helps micro-SMEs in the MR border region with this transition. REAL provides practical solutions, clear tools (TOOLKITS) and guidance (COMPASS) to make it easier for companies to get started with Industry 5.0. The project works with many partners and is testing the approach first with 16 companies, then with 60 additional micro-SMEs. This means that a total of 76 companies will receive direct assistance. Thanks to REAL, micro-SMEs will be able to adapt more easily, work more sustainably and remain strong on the international market. 

Contact

Wim Janssen
Communication officer
Wim.Janssen@pxl.be
Chris Leinders
Head of research
Chris.leinders@pxl.be

Details

Project type
Medium
Implementation
Project start icon 01 Apr 2026
Project end icon 31 Mar 2029
Status
Planned
Budgets
€ 4.538.340,20

Target audience

SMEs

Budgets

EU-contribution
€ 2,723,004.12
Regional cofinancing
€ 604,933.79
Contribution project partners
€ 1,210,402.29

Our partners

  • PXL University of Applied Sciences and Arts

  • Limburg – Chamber of Commerce and Industry

  • Zuyd University of Applied Sciences

  • Mine ReWIR e.V

  • Liège University

  • Economic development organisation of East Belgium (WFG)

  • FH Aachen University, Institute of applied Automation and Mechatronics

  • Wallonia Entrepreneurship Support and Strategy (WEAS)

  • Open University

  • TFI - Institute for Ground and Spatial Systems

  • Institute for Technology and Work

Our co-financiers

  • Ministry of Economic Affairs (NL)

  • State of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW)

  • Wallonia region (BE)

Contact

Wim Janssen

Communication officer
Wim.Janssen@pxl.be

Chris Leinders

Head of research
Chris.leinders@pxl.be

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