CHILL - Chemelot Innovation and Learning Labs

CHILL was created as a collaboration between the founding fathers SABIC, DSM, Leeuwenborgh Opleidingen, Arcus College, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences and Maastricht University. As a center of expertise and a center for innovative professional skills, CHILL helps to shape and expand chemistry as a top sector in the Netherlands.

What does CHILL do?

CHILL offers an innovative learning, work, and research environment where companies (from start-ups to multinationals) and knowledge institutes (from intermediate vocational education institutes to universities) can work together to develop new knowledge and new products. We ensure that enough highly-trained professionals enter the sector and contribute to highlighting the importance of modern chemistry and its role in a sustainable society.

View on chemistry

Innovations and smart solutions for themes like food scarcity and sustainability are becoming increasingly important. While the modern chemical industry can certainly play a key role in this, it is also a knowledge-intensive and capital-intensive sector, which can make it difficult to introduce innovations. However, by merging specializations and facilities and working in a cross-disciplinary way, the possibilities truly are endless. Encourage researchers and end users to collaborate, make facilities available, and ask questions. Combine the fresh perspectives of young talents with the valuable experience of seasoned professionals. Develop and test. The result: new, meaningful, valuable, and practical products that companies can bring to market. Products that make a real difference for you, for us, and for the world.

Programs

CHILL has created a number of programs where educational goals for students and innovative ambitions for companies are being linked. Some examples:

BOOST
Career courses for students and professionals. Compact courses with the possibility to bring your own casus. Themes vary from personal development to specific chemical know-how.

1001 Ideas for Limburg | Tipis CHILL @ Brightlands
An initiative where during a weekend students are generating solutions for innovation challenges for companies. In several follow up courses these ideas are being developed to business canvasses.

Communities for Development
Communities in which students work on real life and actual assignments from companies. Students learn to translate their knowledge in present-day challenges and techniques. This way they are better prepared for their future jobs and companies are being helped with their innovation challenges.

Excellence programs
Students in these programs are qualifying themselves by having a life-long-learning attitude. Large parts of these programs are being developed and realized together with professionals.