Siemens Establishes New Headquarters in Research Park Zellik and Strengthens Collaboration with VUB

On 1 September, the symbolic first stone was laid for Origin, the new headquarters of Siemens Belgium and Luxembourg, in Research Park Zellik, in the presence of Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele. From summer 2028 onwards, the technology company, together with Siemens Mobility and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), will move into the building developed by Ghelamco. In doing so, Siemens is opting for a strategic position within an innovation ecosystem where academia, industry and societal stakeholders work together on solutions to tomorrow’s challenges.

Since its establishment in 1983, Research Park Zellik has grown into a leading innovation hub where research, entrepreneurship and technological development converge. With the launch of Green Energy Park vzw in 2019, an initiative of VUB and UZ Brussels acting as ecosystem developer in the fields of climate and energy, the science park gained further momentum as a meeting place for companies, researchers and other partners working together on solutions to societal challenges. Today, the site is home to, among other things, the Flemish Supercomputer and the Flanders 7 Tesla MRI (IN2U) project, through which all Flemish universities and university hospitals will conduct advanced medical and neuroscientific research.

From 2028 onwards, Siemens intends to contribute, as a new partner of Green Energy Park vzw, to the further development of the science park as a research and innovation ecosystem focused on energy and climate, health, and key technologies such as batteries, robotics and artificial intelligence.

“The first stone we are laying today represents more than a new office,” says Serge Molinari, CEO of Siemens Belgium-Luxembourg. “We are deliberately choosing an environment where companies, researchers and start-ups can meet and strengthen one another. Research Park Zellik offers a unique combination of academic expertise, entrepreneurship and technological innovation. Together with VUB, Green Energy Park vzw and other partners, we want to create a hub where ideas can more quickly evolve into concrete applications for industry, infrastructure and society.”

“Siemens Brings Knowledge, Technology and an International Network”

“Flanders has strong knowledge institutions and innovative companies, but the real added value emerges when research also finds its way into concrete industrial applications,” says Matthias Diependaele, Minister-President of the Flemish Government and Flemish Minister for Economy, Innovation and Industry. “Research Park Zellik demonstrates how collaboration between academia and industry can lead to innovation, economic growth and a stronger competitive position. With Siemens, the park gains an established technology partner that connects expertise in electrification, automation, security and digitalisation with research and talent development. Partnerships like these are exactly what is needed to accelerate the valorisation of innovation and strengthen our industry sustainably.”

Siemens Industry Academy
Siemens will share the building with VUB research groups, creating new opportunities for collaboration in research and talent development. This collaboration is already taking concrete shape today: VUB is officially joining the Siemens Industry Academy, an initiative that bridges engineering education and industry. Through this partnership, Siemens and VUB aim to bring students closer to technological practice, stimulate joint projects and give young talent the opportunity to contribute to real-world industrial challenges.

Co-creation
Together with Green Energy Park vzw and other partners, Siemens aims to create a flexible research and testing environment. The company is committing to a multi-year investment in an integrated smart district, where energy and mobility flows and resource use can be aligned more effectively through digital infrastructure. Siemens’ digital platforms are intended to help manage the campus more efficiently and make data securely available for research and innovation in urban development. A planned collaboration space within the Origin building will allow researchers, start-ups, customers and suppliers to develop, prototype and test new solutions for industry and smart infrastructure.
“With Siemens, Research Park Zellik gains a global investor that brings knowledge, technology and an international network across a broad spectrum,” says Peter Schelkens, Vice-Rector for Innovation and Valorisation at VUB. “This is essential for our ambition to develop the entire science park into a climate-neutral living laboratory where the university, hospital, companies and start-ups can make use of shared infrastructure, test applications and accelerate the valorisation of applied research. Ultimately, this development is not only about buildings, but above all about the people and collaborations that will find a place here.”

Sustainable Working Environment
The new headquarters, developed by property developer Ghelamco, will help Siemens achieve its Belgian climate targets. “Our goal is to reduce our operational emissions by 90 per cent by 2030 compared with 2019 levels, and to offset the remaining emissions in order to achieve net zero,” says Serge Molinari.
The Origin building, which will include laboratories, offices and industrial space, is being developed around an integrated energy grid. Among other features, it will utilise and exchange recovered heat and rainwater from the nearby BRU01 data centre. The development is also targeting BREEAM Outstanding and WELL Gold certifications, complemented by SmartScore, WiredScore and EDGE certifications.
“Following the completion of the data centre on the site, Origin represents the next strategic step in the development of Research Park Zellik as a leading science park. By combining sustainable buildings with research, technology and entrepreneurship, we are creating an ecosystem in which ideas can grow into societal and economic value. That is the future of property development,” says Michael Gheysens, Managing Director of Ghelamco.