The delegation visited leading institutions in the field, including the HVAC institutes at Tongji University, Shanghai Jiaotong University, and Donghua University, forging connections and engaging in in-depth discussions with leading researchers at the forefront of innovation. These interactions provided valuable insights into the megatrends shaping the HVAC industry in both Switzerland and China. In addition, the researchers shared their ongoing projects and the latest developments covering diverse topics, sparking discussions on potential collaborations to accelerate co-innovation.
We asked Michael Schupp, Head of Technology Management at Belimo, and Roman Kappeler, Head of Research at Belimo, to share more details about their journey to China.
What was the objective of your visit to China?
We aimed to establish contact with local universities to start collaborations in the future. We want to tap into application-related research in our field of business in China.
How do you incorporate China into your global innovation strategy?
As a global company, Belimo has a strong focus on Europe, the Americas, and Asia Pacific as well. We aim to collaborate with the excellent universities in China to jointly develop HVAC solutions of the future. Our current focus is on the wider Shanghai Area, as our Innovation Hub Asia Pacific is located in Shanghai.
What opportunities do you perceive in Academia-Industry collaborations?
With university collaborations, we can tap into the future trends of our industry and shape the future together. Not every research project can be transferred into an industrial application; there are also failures. However, through our commitment to research, we can ensure that we remain in the driver’s seat of HVAC innovation and continue to expand our solution leadership.
Meeting at Shanghai Jiaotong University and meeting with Institute of HVAC, Donghua University
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Meeting at Shanghai Jiaotong University and meeting with Institute of HVAC, Donghua University
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Could you provide some information about the people you met in China and the type of partnerships you formed?
We met several professors at three different universities in Shanghai. Through our visits, we laid the foundations for building partnerships with the research institutions that are relevant to us.
What were your impressions after leaving China, and what were your key takeaways from the visit?
We are very positive after our visit. We were impressed by Shanghai as a city: clean, safe, and green. And the contacts we were able to make were also very valuable for us. We are convinced that the universities in China will be excellent partners for us.
How did Swissnex support you during your time in China?
Swissnex took care of all aspects of our study trip. This included the organization of the meetings, the logistics on site, and also support to keep the language and cultural barriers as low as possible.
Belimo
Belimo is the global market leader in the development, production, and sales of field devices for the energy-efficient control of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems. The core focus of their business is damper actuators, control valves, sensors, and meters.
Swissnex in China
Swissnex in China, serves as the bridge connecting Switzerland and China in the frontier fields of research, science and innovation. Recognizing innovation as vital for corporate success, Swissnex in China now provides Innovation Scouting services for Swiss institutions and corporations.
