SMARAGD | Smart tools for the digital transition in the advanced and sustainable materials industry

Region:

Europe

Empowering SMEs to embrace digital transformation in the Meuse-Rhine region

Small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) in the Meuse-Rhine region are navigating a rapidly evolving industrial landscape. To remain competitive, they must rethink their operations in light of emerging technologies, sustainability requirements, and shifting workforce dynamics. The Interreg SMARAGD project supports this transition by providing SMEs with practical digital tools, encouraging eco-innovation, and stimulating cross-border collaboration.

Context

Companies in the Meuse-Rhine region, especially SMEs, are facing increasing uncertainty due to the fast-changing regulatory, market, and technological landscape. They face three major challenges:

The rise of digital technologies (AI, IoT, augmented reality) and advanced manufacturing methods
European climate goals that demand the use of sustainable materials and the integration of life cycle analysis (LCA)
The shortage of skilled workers

There is currently a lack of adequate tools and support infrastructure to guide companies through this transformation. SMARAGD directly addresses this need, building on insights from past projects (e.g., AACOMA, Light Vehicle 2025) and leveraging a cross-border consortium of experts.

Objective and results

To address these challenges and support SMEs in their transition, SMARAGD focuses on four key areas of action:

Assess digital maturity to identify gaps and define tailored innovation roadmaps.
Provide access to smart tools, including solutions for eco-design, automation, and artificial intelligence that are adapted to SME needs.
Upskill teams through accessible online training modules available via a multilingual web platform.
Showcase concrete use cases demonstrating how advanced technologies such as 3D printing, augmented reality, and sustainable materials can be effectively implemented.

Sirris is involved in all these areas, with a particular focus on developing concrete demonstrators for benchmarking LCA tools, AR-based quality control and assembly operations.

Key results

The SMARAGD project will deliver tangible and impactful results designed to accelerate the digital transformation of manufacturing SMEs and promote sustainable innovation:

An interactive digital platform
Benchmarking of eco-design tools
An implementation guide
Digital maturity assessments
Industrial use cases
Tailored training programmes
An expanded cross-border network

Approach

The SMARAGD project is built on a structured and modular approach, based on close collaboration between research institutes, universities, and industry partners. The project is organised into four main work packages:

WP1 – Assessment of Smart Tools for Eco-design: Identification and comparison of tools (LCA, carbon footprint), development of a guide for SMEs, and creation of an interactive digital platform.

WP2 – Smart Technologies for Intelligent Processes: Development of technological components using AI, augmented reality, and IoT; creation of control tools; and implementation of a self-assessment tool.

WP3 – Industry-Driven Use Cases: Implementation of demonstrators in industrial environments, practical experimentation, and collaborative refinement.

WP4 – Demonstration and Dissemination of Digital Processes: Technology showcases, events, large-scale outreach, and knowledge transfer.

Target Group

SMARAGD primarily targets manufacturing SMEs, which often lack the internal resources to access digital tools or initiate sustainable innovations. The project also creates value for large companies, research institutes, sector clusters, and the general public by fostering collaboration, knowledge transfer, and the adoption of high-impact technologies.

Funding

Funding organisation: Interreg Meuse-Rhine (NL-BE-DE)
Total budget: €3,231,998.91
Funding level: 50% from Interreg Meuse-Rhine. An additional 25% is provided by the Walloon Public Service (SPW) for Walloon partners (Centexbel, Sirris).