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When industry and innovation align, a win-win collaboration between Aperam and A6K
Collaboration is often the key to effective problem-solving. As the saying goes: together, we go further, a principle that Aperam, a global leader in the stainless-steel industry, fully embraces.
On November 15, Aperam held its quarterly executive meeting at A6K, with the goal of encouraging open exchange and deep reflection on technological needs and industry challenges. The meeting took place in the presence of A6K start-ups, each bringing relevant and innovative solutions.
More than just a gathering, the event gave Aperam’s leadership the opportunity to immerse themselves in the A6K ecosystem. It was a moment to draw inspiration from the cutting-edge facilities and to explore tangible, actionable solutions to the concrete challenges facing their sector.
Some of the major strengths of these collaborations, rooted in needs analysis and alignment, lie in their ability to deliver mutual value and reflect our shared commitment to accelerating responsible industrial innovation. On one hand, A6K start-ups gain the opportunity to showcase their solutions and tap into Aperam’s recognized expertise and reputation in the steel industry, paving the way for potential business development. On the other hand, Aperam actively engages with smart, innovative solutions from these start-ups to tackle specific technological challenges. It’s a true win-win.
Following the meeting, Serge Dallenogare, Site Manager at Aperam Châtelet, invited several A6K start-ups for an on-site visit on Friday, June 20. The tour covered key industrial facilities, including the TLB (Train à Large Bande / Hot Strip Mill) and the steel plant. The goal was to continue the dialogue and explore opportunities for long-term collaboration.
Founders from Matgenix (David Waroquiers), Insens (Gautier Waterlot), WISE. Energy Inc. (Julien Jirikoff), BROLZ (Guillaume Lahaye), and HelloHouston (Stéphane Colle), supported by the A6K acceleration team, took part in the visit. The experience sparked shared ambitions and new ideas for the future. Although ARK Capture Solutions, Matvision, and Sagacify couldn’t join us this time, they were thought of!
Special thanks to Isabelle Godefroid (Executive Assistant to Serge Dallenogare), Vincent Piret (Head of the Process Department), Michel Vande Populiere (Senior Engineer, Hot Strip Mill), Hélène Provis (Communication Manager), and Serge Dallenogare for their warm and generous welcome on site.
This collaboration illustrates the importance of interactions between industry leaders and tech start-ups when it comes to technological innovation and is a concrete example of how A6K connects the various members of its ecosystem with proven expertise, with the aim of bringing them together in a win-win outcome.
