Seminar and Opening Rotterdam Innovation Market Seminar and Opening Rotterdam Innovation Market

To coincide with the 34th World Expo, which opened on May 1 2015 in Milan, Het Nieuwe Instituut organised an outdoor exhibition where companies from the Rotterdam region presented their innovative products, processes and concepts. Open to the public free of charge, the Rotterdam Innovation Market took place from 4 June to 23 August 2015 under the arcade of Het Nieuwe Instituut on Rochussenstraat. A seminar on the theme of innovation was held on the occasion of the opening on 4 June.

A collapsible shipping container that is as strong as an ordinary container, a process to transform saltwater into potable water with the help of sustainable energy, and a biologically degradable spray that can remove oil from water: these are just three of the innovations from the Rotterdam region that might soon conquer the world. These and other innovative techniques and products from the region will go on display in a free exhibition under the arcade of Het Nieuwe Instituut.

How does the creative industry relate to innovation? Is current policy regarding innovation effective enough? Why is innovation so important from a social perspective? The following speakers answered these and other questions: Arjen van Klink (Rabobank Rotterdam), Paul Rutten (Kenniscentrum Creating 010, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences), Brend Kouwenhoven (Cambridge Innovation Centre), Erik Sterk and Maurice Specht (De Makers van Rotterdam). The discussion was followed by the festive opening of the exhibition Rotterdam Innovation Market.