Manufacturing Days: How Digi4Circular Connected, Learned, and Grew in Brussels
Manufacturing Days in Brussels gathered Europe’s manufacturing innovators to shape a sustainable and digital future. From 20–22 October, the Made in Europe Manufacturing Partnership Days, organized by EFFRA and funded by HaDEA, brought together 300 participants, 32 project sessions, 31 booths, and 7 panel discussions.
Digi4Circular proudly joined this event with partners Data CoLAB, SusDAT s.r.o., Paderborn University, and AMIRES. As a HaDEA-funded project, we showcased how digital tools enable circular business models, product life extension, and resource efficiency. Our goal was clear: promote Digi4Circular, share our vision, and build new collaborations.
What Were Manufacturing Days About?
The event focused on three strategic themes:
- AI and Digital Transformation of SMEs
- Circularity and Sustainability
- Productivity and Human-Centric Manufacturing
It was also a meeting point for EU Circularity Cluster partners, reinforcing collaboration across projects driving Europe’s green transition. For Digi4Circular, this was a unique opportunity to connect with stakeholders, exchange ideas, and explore synergies for future innovation.
How Each Day Added Value for Digi4Circular
Day 1: AI and Digital Transformation
Sessions explored AI, data spaces, and robotics for SMEs. These discussions confirmed the importance of digitalization, which aligns with Digi4Circular’s mission to integrate smart tools into circular manufacturing.
Day 2: Circularity and Sustainability
This was our core focus. Panels highlighted resource efficiency, circular value chains, and decarbonization. These insights validated Digi4Circular’s approach and inspired new ideas for digital solutions supporting sustainability.
Day 3: Productivity and Human-Centric Manufacturing
The final day emphasized human-centric innovation and knowledge exploitation. It showed how digital tools can empower workers and improve productivity, principles that complement Digi4Circular’s objectives.
Throughout all three days, we actively engaged at our booth and during ManuParty, where informal networking sparked valuable conversations and potential partnerships.
Why Manufacturing Days Matter for Digi4Circular
ManuDays gave us a platform to promote our project, strengthen existing partnerships, and create new connections. These interactions will help us accelerate innovation and deliver tangible impact for European manufacturing.
Key Takeaway
Circularity and digital innovation are no longer optional; they are strategic priorities for Europe’s manufacturing future. ManuDays helped Digi4Circular move from ideas to action through collaboration, knowledge exchange, and shared ambition.
Thank you to everyone who visited us and contributed to the conversation. Together, we are building a more sustainable and digitally empowered manufacturing ecosystem.