SII

Strategic Innovation Initiatives (SIIs ) in Wallonia are targeted actions designed to catalyze innovation in specific areas identified as priorities under the Intelligent Specialization Strategy (S3). These initiatives aim to achieve the objectives of the Strategic Innovation Domains (SIDs) by supporting projects with high potential for economic and social impact.

SID1 - the "Circular Materials" Strategic Innovation Area - groups together innovative activities linked to the "circularization" of materials, with a view to reducing resource consumption, increasing regional autonomy and developing new market opportunities. Circular materials are inert or biosourced materials that can be processed at different stages, so that their future status as waste can be postponed or avoided altogether.

This SID responds to the challenges of:

• Optimizing resources by seeking to increase the durability of resources and hence the lifespan of materials. In addition, the management of renewable resources involves a large number of players in the optimization of plant and animal bioresources, and presents a strong link with the circular economy thanks to the intelligent use of agricultural biomass from farming, animal bioresources from livestock farming, and better use of processing companies;
• The climate and biodiversity crisis. Indeed, by increasing the circularity of materials, we limit resource consumption, but also environmental pollution linked to resource extraction on the one hand, and waste disposal on the other. As a result, current and future pollution is limited and ecosystems are preserved. By cultivating bioresources, we can also contribute to the European objective of becoming a zero-emission zone for greenhouse gases by 2050;
• Finally, this SID also indirectly addresses the challenge of energy transition. By transforming materials less but aiming for their long-term preservation, we aim to consume less energy through industrial production and in construction.

The objectives of this SID are

SID1 is structured around a clear vision: to accelerate innovation in priority sectors to foster sustainable and inclusive growth in Wallonia. The aim is to concentrate public and private resources on high-potential areas, in order to maximize their impact and position Wallonia as a leader in certain sectors of the future.

As far as Valbowal in particular is concerned, the main objectives are as follows:

1. Develop a circular and sustainable economy
   1. Ecological transition: SID1 encourages innovation in sustainable development, with a particular focus on the circular economy. This involves encouraging the reuse of resources, reducing waste and designing sustainable products.
   2. Responsible resource management: the aim is to support innovative solutions for the efficient management of natural resources, particularly in the water, energy and raw materials sectors.
2. Strengthening innovation in Industry 4.0
   1. Digital transformation: SID1 aims to support the digitalization of Wallonia's industrial companies, by encouraging the adoption of technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), advanced robotics and process automation .
   2. Business competitiveness: by focusing on innovation in production processes and value chains, this strategic area aims to make Walloon companies more competitive on an international scale.