Building a sustainable semiconductor industry together
How Eindhoven Engine tackles the complex challenges of the future
The semiconductor industry is the powerhouse of the Brainport region. With global leaders like ASML and a strong high-tech supply chain, the sector delivers world‑class technology. But with this growth comes a crucial task: moving toward a sustainable and circular semiconductor value chain.
At Eindhoven Engine, Janne Brok, Managing Director and Program Manager of Sustainable Semicon, plays a crucial role in a project that aims to make exactly this difference: the Circular Business Program Semicon* project. Its approach is multidisciplinary, and above all, collaborative. “We are facing a challenge that no single company can solve on its own,” Brok says. “So we need to learn to collaborate in ways that are new for this industry.”
* The Circular Business Program Semicon (CBPS) is a regional initiative focused on accelerating circularity in the semiconductor industry in the Brainport region. Partners include Brainport Industries, ImpactX, Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij, ASML, VDL ETG, Prodrive Technologies, Neways, KMWE, ERIKS, HQ Pack, Meilink, Aalberts Advanced Mechatronics, TNO, TU/e, Eindhoven Engine, and Fontys.
We are facing a challenge that no single company can solve on its own,” Brok says. “So we need to learn to collaborate in ways that are new for this industry.”
The societal urgency: from linear to circular
Although ASML machines have a long lifespan, sometimes up to thirty years, the real challenge lies in their maintenance. Parts are replaced quickly and often out of necessity, in order to guarantee the extremely high uptime required in chip factories. Damaged or partially functioning modules are too often set aside unused, even though they still contain both material and functional value. The problem is not primarily technical. Brok explains: “Technology is something we usually can solve here in Brainport. What makes this really complex are the business models, data exchange, logistics, quality assurance, and above all: how do you distribute costs and benefits in a circular model?” This turns the issue into a systemic challenge — a complex interplay of interests, processes, business structures, and power relations within an extremely refined supply chain.
The Eindhoven Engine approach: a new way of working together
Where bilateral collaboration (ASML and supplier) has been the norm for decades, Eindhoven Engine chooses a radically multilateral approach. The CBPS project brings ASML, first-tier suppliers, Fontys, TU/e, TNO and students to the same table, as equal partners in change.
Eindhoven Engine serves as a neutral orchestrator, creating an inspiring environment where experimentation can thrive. It supports partners by jointly analyzing processes and key decision points, offering clear insights into value creation, CO₂ impact, and opportunities for reuse. This collaborative approach helps establish agreements and solutions that benefit the entire chain. Acting as an independent facilitator, Eindhoven Engine operates without commercial interests. Its focus remains on the collective good, supported by strong expertise in guiding system innovation.
Through the involvement of students, the project maps out processes, data flows, and reuse opportunities, often revealing insights that companies find difficult to uncover themselves. Currently, four students from both HBO and WO institutions are working on the project together with partners.
Our role is to create a sandbox where companies can experiment safely,” Brok says. “We set the conditions, invite the right people, and help teams move from individual interests to collective goals.”
The strength of the ecosystem: prepared for shared responsibility
That all parties, ASML, first-tier suppliers, knowledge institutions, and Eindhoven Engine, now sit together at one table is, according to Brok, already a breakthrough. “The fact that companies are willing to look beyond their own business models says a lot. It is new, exciting, and sometimes complex. But there is a shared understanding: this is necessary, and it must be done together.” The semiconductor industry moves at high speed, is driven by strong economic incentives, and operates within global geopolitical dynamics. That makes the transition challenging, but also full of opportunity. “We hold a unique position in the global semiconductor landscape. If we can demonstrate here that circularity works, it can set a worldwide standard.”
An invitation to the wider ecosystem
Eindhoven Engine invites the broader semiconductor value chain to join. Not only tier 2, 3, and 4 suppliers, but also unexpected partners: companies that can contribute value through logistics, digitization, recycling, consumer insights, or entirely different domains. “We need more perspectives to expand our solution space. Anyone who believes they can contribute is welcome. This is a system challenge, and therefore a shared responsibility.”
- Interested in joining or learning more? Please contact Janne Brok for more information.
Media: Building the water systems of the future together
- Read more [article is in Dutch]
Advancing energy flexibility in buildings
Transforming building energy management with smart control systems
The BuildInFlexergy project, funded by the Dutch Mission-Driven Research, Development, and Innovation (MOOI) program, is revolutionizing building energy flexibility. This is supported by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, and managed by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). This four-year industry leading initiative unites 10 industry partners (including Eindhoven Engine) and 2 top universities (TU Eindhoven and TU Delft).
A unified approach to innovation
Coordinated and managed by Kropman B.V., the consortium includes installation companies, energy consultants, platform developers, building owners and managers, technology providers, and other experts. The aim is to foster open knowledge exchange and drive innovation through strategic collaboration and widespread dissemination of results.
Buildings at the heart of the energy transition
As the energy sector shifts towards a decentralized, digital, and low-carbon future, buildings—significant consumers of electricity and thermal energy—are key to providing demand-side flexibility. This flexibility allows buildings to adjust their energy use in response to external signals like electricity prices, carbon intensity, or grid constraints, without sacrificing occupant comfort or essential functions.
Kick-off meeting 17th June, 2025 | Kropman Nijmegen
The power of model predictive control
Model Predictive Control (MPC) is a cutting-edge tool for optimizing building energy performance. Unlike traditional control systems, MPC uses predictive models and real-time data to proactively manage a wide range of systems, including HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), lighting, heat pumps, thermal storage, electric vehicles charging and other building loads It uses forecasts of occupancy, weather conditions and other relevant parameters to determine the best control actions over a future period, continuously updating the plan based on new data.
The aim of this project is to foster open knowledge exchange and drive innovation through strategic collaboration and widespread dissemination of results.
Real-time responsiveness with dynamic climate control
Dynamic climate control adjusts HVAC settings and ventilation rates based on changing indoor and outdoor conditions. This allows buildings to pre-cool or pre-heat spaces when renewable energy is plentiful or electricity prices are low, shifting loads without compromising comfort or overloading the grid.
Optimizing with key performance indicators
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are developed based on the Smart Readiness Indicator. KPIs guide decisions and balance objectives like energy cost, comfort, CO₂ emissions, and grid support. KPIs such as total energy consumption, peak load reduction, indoor comfort indices, and flexibility scores can be prioritized based on goals.
The future of building energy flexibility
The KPI-driven MPC framework makes buildings energy-efficient, grid-responsive, and climate-conscious. This approach is ideal for buildings in smart grids or demand response programs, supporting both building managers’ operational goals and energy system planners’ strategic targets.
In conclusion, combining MPC, dynamic climate control, and KPI-driven optimization can significantly enhance building energy flexibility. This strategy is crucial for making buildings active participants in the low-carbon energy system of the future.
Tackling energy challenges in buildings
The BuildInFlexergy approach
As buildings become increasingly reliant on electricity to maintain their indoor climate, they face challenges such as electricity supply and limited grid capacity.
To address these issues, Eindhoven Engine is happy to announce the BuildInFlexergy initiative commenced on May 1st, 2025.
Focus on energy flexibility
This project brings together 12 partners, including Eindhoven Engine. It aims to enhance the reliability and efficiency of local energy supply by better utilizing energy flexibility. Additionally, this initiative is particularly crucial for large, complex building systems equipped with heat pumps and thermal energy storage. These systems often experience stability and coordination issues, which can negatively impact both energy and comfort performance. Therefore, by focusing on energy flexibility, BuildInFlexergy aims to overcome these challenges and ensure a more stable and efficient energy supply for building.
Smart control systems and model predictive control
By transforming building energy management with smart control systems and model predictive control, we achieve real-time responsiveness and dynamic climate control. Moreover, this optimization uses key performance indicators. This unified approach to innovation places buildings at the heart of the energy transition, paving the way for the future of building energy flexibility.
This project not only addresses current challenges but also sets a precedent for future developments in energy-efficient building management.
Mijke the Matchbot: Bridging gaps with AI
Introducing Mijke, the Matchbot: a conversational AI designed to bridge the gap between individuals with low literacy and the support systems around them.
Hi, I’m Sichen, and I am currently pursuing an Engineering Doctorate (EngD) at Eindhoven Engine. With a background in Industrial Design and a strong focus on user experience (UX) and interaction design, I completed my master’s at Eindhoven University of Technology.
Currently, I work within the focus area of Inclusive Society. Here, I explore how AI can create more accessible and supportive environments for everyone. Our solution? Mijke, the Matchbot.
Breaking barriers with AI
My EngD project focuses on the development of Mijke from the Met Mij project. Mijke is a conversational AI chatbot designed to support NT1 (Dutch as a first language) adults with limited basic skills in accessing local services. Hosted on WhatsApp and powered by a large language model, Mijke offers both voice and text interaction. This reduces the barriers many users face with written communication.
The project explores five core challenges:
1. Clarity in communication
Ensuring the chatbot communicates clearly.
2. Emotional connection
Providing a supportive and empathetic interaction.
3. User-friendly design
Making the chatbot intuitive and user-friendly.
4. Multi-modal accessibility
Offering multiple modes of interaction.
5. Precision in support
Connecting users with the right help efficiently.
For more information about Mijke and the Met Mij project.
Addressing information inequality
Millions of people in the Netherlands struggle with basic literacy, numeracy, and digital skills. Mijke shows a possibility of solving this information inequality by offering a friendly experience tailored to the real-world needs of often overlooked people via Artificial Intelligence (AI). This work stands at the crossroads of technology, social equity, and public service innovation. It shows how AI can be used responsibly in human-centered design.
Empowering communities
To achieve these goals, I plan to run iterative user tests to gather insights and improve mijke’s usability. to help people with limited basic skills access support more easily and confidently. By doing so, I hope to decrease the workload of stakeholders, such as social workers, employees from municipalities, or public service staff. Additionally, I want to set a benchmark for evaluating AI recommendations in social public service contexts and contribute new knowledge and tools to the fields of human-computer interaction (HCI), accessibility, and digital inclusion.
This work stands at the crossroads of technology, social equity, and public service innovation, showing how AI can be used responsibly in human-centered design.
Eindhoven Engine News – March 2025
In this edition of Eindhoven Engine News: Innovation accelerator Eindhoven Engine enters new phase, Transforming basic skills support with AI and more!
What else is happening at Eindhoven Engine?
New video: DynaPopeX
In the DynaPopeX project, TNO and Zicht op Data focus on reducing poor air quality. By combining data, location, and human movement patterns in Eindhoven, they develop tangible measures to minimize people’s exposure to harmful particulate matter and limit potential health risks. This is crucial for the municipality of Eindhoven to understand the most significant impacts of air quality and improve the health of its residents.
Building a Healthier Future
My Journey at Eindhoven Engine
Hello, my name is Golnoosh Sabahifard, and I am currently pursuing my EngD traineeship at Eindhoven Engine. My focus is on the Livable Region program, where I am committed to enhancing the public well-being of residents.
At Eindhoven Engine, our mission is to create a sustainable and livable Brainport region where everyone can live healthily and safely. Our goals include reducing health disparities in neighbourhoods by 20% and adding three healthy living years for every person.
Understanding public well-being
Public well-being is influenced by eight factors: loneliness, stress, fewer years of good perceived health, lack of green spaces, noise pollution, population density, and distance to basic facilities. My research focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of current assessment tools and developing a dynamic model that visually illustrates how these factors interact to affect urban health.
The importance of interactive and dynamic analysis
The built environment significantly impacts public well-being, influencing both mental and physical health. Traditional urban assessment tools often lack interactive and dynamic analysis, making it difficult to estimate the long-term impacts of various elements.
My traineeship aims to change this. I am using Vensim, a visual modeling tool, to provide a data-driven, visual method that helps stakeholders understand how small changes in urban planning can lead to significant health benefits. This approach is crucial for evidence-based urban planning, enabling policymakers to make informed decisions to create healthier, more sustainable cities.
Ultimately, this work will lay the foundation for future research on building healthy and sustainable urban environments.
Media: Technologie in de volwasseneneducatie (2)
Inclusive technology in educational pathways for adults
In an interview (in Dutch) with Lotte Geertsen (Program manager Inclusive Society) and Walter Baets (Wicked Problems officer), about technology in adult education, they explain that a different way of thinking is needed to innovate. Met Mij from Eindhoven Engine, is designed for people with lack of basic skills, is a perfect example.
𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑡𝑤𝑜-𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤. 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑜𝑛𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒.
[Article is in Dutch]
Eindhoven Engine News – December 2024
In this edition of Eindhoven Engine News: Innovation accelerator Eindhoven Engine enters new phase, Transforming basic skills support with AI and more!
What else is happening at Eindhoven Engine?