We enable Material Innovation
Materials innovation institute (M2i) is a network organization specialized in materials research. Our core mission is to support both the industry and society in finding solutions for materials-related questions in product development and production processes. M2i connects industry, academia and research institutes across The Netherlands and Europe.
The importance of materials research
Materials form the basis of our environment. Since the dawn of humankind, new uses of materials have driven societal development. Materials innovation is important in fostering technological growth that promotes the wellbeing of society, and also in being able to meet the challenges of enhancing and protecting our environment.
How we work
As a network organization, we have excellent insight in materials-related activities in The Netherlands and Europe. We collect research questions from our industrial partners and connect them to the research partners with the right expertise.
M2i helps its partners in defining open innovation research programmes. A significant portion of our projects are organized in cooperation with NWO and industry. By sourcing the optimal type of Dutch or European funding we help to reduce industrial investment costs.
After approval of funding we coordinate the consortia, ensuring the results are relevant for industrial uptake, while offering researchers a platform for sharing their activities in meetings and conferences.
The latest news
DEPMAT researchers visit Geerts Metaalwaren to explore advanced steel forming processes
The researchers from the DEPMAT project recently visited Geerts Metaalwaren to gain deeper insight into advanced manufacturing processes for steel parts and to better understand how variations in material properties
META-SMA awarded NWO funding to develop reusable shock-absorbing metamaterials
The META-SMA project has been awarded funding by NWO within the KIC Mission Call High performance materials for Defense and Safety. The project is one of ten newly funded research
Looking back: M2i Thematic Meeting Circular Rubber: From Ambition to Implementation
On 5 June 2026, the rubber community came together at Clean Tech Park Arnhem, in the heart of the processing industry, for the thematic meeting Circular Rubber: From Ambition to
SUBLIME Annual Meeting Showcases Progress, Collaboration, and Real-World Impact
On 27 March, the SUBLIME consortium gathered for its annual user committee meeting, hosted by ProRail in a unique and inspiring setting at the Spoorwegmuseum in Utrecht. The meeting brought together academic researchers, industry partners,
For more news visit our News page.