Umicore’s innovation strategy targets robust business growth for years to come. To further leverage and expand its innovation capabilities, Umicore created a new unit called New Business Incubator (NBI). Built on a startup-based operating environment that benefits from the support of a global company and sizeable scale organization, NBI is both focused and agile in managing Umicore’s long term horizon innovation projects.
Umicore aims to further strengthen its innovation capabilities to meet the ever more demanding requirements for technology and innovation - quality, speed and efficiency. As we keep pushing our boundaries and strive to set new industry standards, embracing advanced technologies has never been more essential. Umicore’s innovation strategy targets robust business growth for years to come and to further leverage and expand its innovation capabilities, Umicore created a new unit called New Business Incubator (NBI).
Built on a startup-based operating environment that benefits from the support of a global company and sizeable scale organization, NBI is both focused and agile in managing Umicore’s long term horizon innovation projects.
The NBI teams develop the longer-term innovation pipeline of sustainable product and process technologies that enable continued long-term business growth and secure our pioneering leadership in the areas of clean mobility materials, recycling, electronics and green hydrogen.
NBI manages all aspects from business development -- exploring, identifying and developing future business opportunities in adjacent and new markets allowing Umicore to selectively expand in these markets in line with its strategy and strengths.
NBI researches, sets up and scales up incubators, standalone businesses comparable to startups, where the technology is deployed, pilot lines are built and commercial sales portfolios are developed. Projects that have reached industrial scale combined with a continued business activity are transferred to an existing business unit or could become a new business unit.
Solid state and silicon anode battery materials are among the activities of the NBI team, in addition to exploring battery recycling, monitoring green hydrogen generation through electrolysis and integrating trends in digitalization electronics.
Alongside the incubators, NBI also houses a number of competences that play a critical role in innovation. To support the screening and analysis of business opportunities we have set up the Strategic Insights and Analysis Team. They cover a wide range of industries and try out leading-edge digital knowledge management tools. Collaborative research and development are the drivers of real change and therefore open innovation is considered a core competence within NBI. Expanding and maintaining strategic technology partnerships are of key importance. For example, technology scouting together with universities and involving customers in the early phase are essential to successfully grow and deliver in the market. The Open Innovation team within NBI drives Umicore’s Open Innovation Strategy and supports Umicore’s research teams in their open innovation efforts. Protecting our intellectual property is key. Our in-house team of IP professionals provides strategic guidance and manages the patenting process. Our industries are dynamic and our employees need to be at the forefront of technology changes. The Umicore Technical and Digital Academy is the forum where we organize learning and development geared towards technology, digital and innovation skills.
Technology is at the core of our success. Umicore’s forward-looking approach is fueled by our expanding expertise and commitment to technology innovation and differentiation.
