REAL: REAL SOLUTIONS FOR THE INDUSTRY 5.0 TRANSITION OF THE MEUSE-RHINE MANUFACTURING SME

REAL is a cross-border project in the Meuse-Rhine region that supports small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (mSMEs) in successfully shaping the transition to Industry 5.0. Today, companies are faced with the challenge of becoming more sustainable and resilient while remaining competitive. In addition, the requirements for providing ESG data are growing due to new regulations such as the CSRD or the Supply Chain Act, as well as expectations from banks, customers, and supply chain partners.

The REAL project addresses a key cross-border challenge in the MR region: it supports manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (mSMEs) in their transformation towards Industry 5.0 while navigating fragmented sustainability requirements and separated innovation ecosystems.

mSMEs are increasingly under pressure to provide ESG data-driven both by regulatory frameworks (e.g. CSRD, CSDDD, WIVO, LkSG) and by market demands from banks, customers, and supply chains. However, national interpretations and reporting platforms differ significantly across borders. This results in high compliance costs and poses the risk of losing cross-border business relationships.

REAL is built around a central question:

How can my manufacturing SME remain (or become even more) competitive today and in the future - in a changing environment where sustainability and resource efficiency are playing an increasingly important role? REAL addresses this need through an Industry 5.0 approach that integrates Industry 4.0, sustainability, human-centeredness, and resilience. This is achieved by combining improvements in corporate governance (COMPASS) with operational innovation (TOOLKITS).

These TOOLKITS offer practical solutions tailored specifically to the needs of mSMEs, for example:

• Data collection (e.g., sensors, AI-supported document capture)
• Data management & security (e.g., IoT, cybersecurity)
• Data processing (e.g., PowerBI, AI analyses)
• Production optimization (e.g., cobots, predictive maintenance)

Industry 5.0 is still evolving in Europe. Addressing both governance and operational processes within one integrated approach is unique. Sustainability data plays a key role—not because it is new, but due to evolving regulations and increasing requirements along the value chain.

TFI supports the development of the REAL COMPASS and TOOLKITS to implement sustainability requirements in a practical and SME-friendly way. This includes:

• Developing tools and processes that link regulatory requirements with competitiveness; • Guiding SMEs through co-piloting activities and the implementation of digital and operational innovations; • Mobilizing SMEs through regional and cross-border networks; • Translating research results into practical applications within companies.
• Supporting SMEs in co-piloting and implementing digital and operational innovations;
• Mobilization of SMEs via regional and cross-border networks;
• Linking research findings with practical applications in companies.

In this role, TFI acts both as a knowledge partner and as part of the innovation ecosystem, contributing to the transition of mSMEs towards Industry 5.0. The objective is to strengthen companies’ competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability while fostering cross-border innovation collaboration.

Funding program and project number

Number: IMR6-00150 Interreg Maas-Rhein (NL-BE-DE)

Duration

01 April 2026 – 31 March 2029