Welcome to the first edition of BlueXPRT Insights.
The first half of 2026 saw BlueXPRT contribute to a range of proposal development activities across Horizon Europe, the Innovation Fund and other European funding programmes. Working alongside research organisations, industry partners and technology developers, we supported proposals addressing industrial decarbonisation, hydrogen, AI in energy, battery recycling and circular manufacturing. The growing use of large language models has contributed to an increasingly competitive funding environment. In some areas, four to five times more proposals are now being submitted. In response, we are tailoring our support to our customers, so as to ensure a fair share in efforts, risks and benefits.
RecHycle
Leading the socio-economic assessment for circular steel innovation
One of the key projects during the first half of 2026 was RecHycle, where BlueXPRT performed the socio-economic assessment on behalf of AcelorMittal Belgium.
The project explores innovative approaches to steel recycling and circularity. It also ensures that technological developments are supported by a strong understanding of their societal and economic implications.
Our contribution
Through the socio-economic assessment workstream (Deliverable D5.6), BlueXPRT gathered insights from stakeholders across five European countries.
Our expert conducted more than 20 interviews across six different stakeholder groups and analysed an additional 139 surveys. These insights helped assess the societal dimensions and acceptance levels of circular steel solutions.
The socio-economic assessment provided valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges surrounding circular steel solutions. By bringing together perspectives from industry, research and other stakeholder groups, the findings helped strengthen discussions around the social and economic dimensions of steel recycling.
The results contributed to conversations with major industry players, including ArcelorMittal. This work demonstrates how socio-economic evidence can support informed decision-making alongside technological innovation.
GreenMarine
Supporting sustainable innovation through Social Impact Assessment and Techno-economic assessment.
Following our work on RecHycle, BlueXPRT also contributed to the GreenMarine Project by preparing its Social Impact Assessment (SIA). The assessment helps identify and evaluate the project’s potential social impacts. These insights support responsible project development and stakeholder engagement.
Alongside its work on social impact, BlueXPRT continued to strengthen its expertise in Techno-Economic Assessment (TEA). As part of GreenMarine, the team has been finalising a TEA tool for integration into a software tool developed within the project.
A key feature of the TEA tool is its ability to randomise input values using normal or skewed distributions, alongside fixed values. This provides greater flexibility when assessing different scenarios and their potential outcomes.
Supporting the next generation of European innovation projects
Key Funding Activities
Over the past months, BlueXPRT has been active across a range of technical topics and industries, with a strong focus on innovative solutions for the energy transition, resource efficiency and industrial processes.
Key Topics
- Hydrogen technologies – Activities focused on hydrogen inspection and related hydrogen applications.
- Battery recycling & digitalisation – Using digital tools to support battery recycling and resource recovery, including applications for large power producers.
- Carbon capture (CCUS) – Exploring technologies ranging from oxyfuel to membrane capture in standalone engines.
- Industrial heat recovery – Utilising the latent heat of evaporated water to support more flexible and energy-efficient production processes.
Industries
- Energy & power generation – Activities targeting large power producers, including the use of digital tools for battery recycling.
- Steelmaking – Activities focused on the steelmaking industry.
- Battery recycling – Exploring the use of digital tools within battery recycling.
- Standalone engines – Applications of carbon capture technologies, including oxyfuel and membrane capture.
- Sugar production – Exploring flexible sugar production through the utilisation of latent heat from evaporated water.
A newly awarded project for gas pipeline inspection
During the first half of 2026, MARHYLIN was successfully awarded. The project focuses on an inspection tool for determining the asset integrity of gas pipelines in Europe.
For MARHYLIN, BlueXPRT also worked with the client through a new mode of collaboration. This approach proved successful for both parties and provided a positive foundation for future cooperation.
DAPWS 2026
One of the highlights of the first half of 2026 was hosting DAPWS 2026. The event brought together experts in industrial water and steam chemistry to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
The programme focused on topics including ultra-supercritical applications, corrosion management, optimisation strategies and operational reliability. These discussions reflected the growing need for resilient and sustainable water and steam systems as the energy landscape continues to evolve.
With contributions from industry specialists, researchers and technology providers, the event provided a valuable platform for sharing practical experiences, exchanging knowledge and strengthening collaboration across the sector.
Looking Ahead to DAPWS 2027
The positive response to this year’s event has already sparked discussions about the next edition. We look forward to welcoming the community again in 2027 and continuing the dialogue on the future of industrial water and steam systems.
X-Lives Online Workshop
Sharing Project Outcomes
On 24 June 2026, BlueXPRT hosted the X-Lives Online Workshop. The event brought together project partners and stakeholders to reflect on the outcomes of the X-Lives project.
The workshop was organised in collaboration with Alucha Works BV, Vereniging Circulair Friesland, Saxion University of Applied Sciences and InterReg Germany–Netherlands.
It provided a platform to present project results, exchange experiences and discuss opportunities for continued collaboration in support of circular innovation.
Strengthening Partnerships
Throughout the first half of the year, the BlueXPRT team continued engaging with clients and project partners through visits across the Netherlands. These meetings strengthened existing collaborations, supported ongoing projects and created opportunities to explore new initiatives together.
As we move into the second half of 2026, BlueXPRT continues to support organisations in developing innovative projects and building strong collaborative partnerships. Alongside ongoing project delivery, the coming months will bring new funding opportunities, consortium development and knowledge sharing across a range of European initiatives.
Upcoming priorities
- Proposal Development: Supporting upcoming Horizon Europe and Innovation Fund submissions, including proposal deadlines in September and December 2026.
- Consortium Building: Continuing partner outreach for the Horizon Europe Cluster 5 AI-in-Energy call while exploring new collaborations for the Cluster 6 critical raw materials and WEEE recovery opportunity.
- Knowledge sharing: Delivering the upcoming boiler and cooling water course (learn more here) and continuing to create opportunities for collaboration and professional development.
If you’d like to learn more about our work or discuss opportunities for collaboration, we’d love to hear from you.