ABB Turbo Systems AG

Their core work

ABB Turbo Systems AG is a Swiss-based specialist in turbocharger systems for large-bore engines, serving marine propulsion, power generation, and heavy industrial applications. They design and manufacture turbochargers that improve engine efficiency and enable fuel flexibility — a critical capability as the shipping industry moves toward alternative fuels and stricter emissions regulations. Their engineering expertise covers thermodynamics, high-speed rotating machinery, and combustion optimization at industrial scale. As part of the global ABB Group, they bring deep precision engineering capabilities and industrial manufacturing know-how to collaborative R&D consortia.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Both projects launched in 2015–2016 and ran through 2018–2019, so the H2020 timeline is short and concentrated. The first project (HERCULES-2) sits at the heart of ABB Turbo Systems' identity — marine engine performance and emissions reduction. The second project (HyproCell) moves into manufacturing technology, suggesting a parallel interest in modernizing industrial production processes. With only two data points and no keyword data, a definitive trend is difficult to establish, but the shift from transport to manufacturing hints at an appetite to extend R&D engagement beyond their core turbocharger product line.

ABB Turbo Systems appears to be exploring manufacturing innovation alongside core turbocharger R&D — a potential future collaborator for projects bridging industrial production and propulsion technology.

How they like to work

ABB Turbo Systems has participated exclusively as a partner, never as project coordinator, across both H2020 projects. Despite only two projects, they have connected with 45 unique partners across 13 countries — an average of roughly 22 partners per project — indicating participation in large-scale, pan-European Innovation Action consortia. This pattern suggests they contribute specific industrial expertise to broad collaborations rather than leading R&D programs themselves.

With 45 consortium partners across 13 countries from just 2 projects, ABB Turbo Systems has participated in large, internationally diverse consortia. Their network spans both the transport and manufacturing domains, reflecting the cross-sector nature of their Innovation Action involvement.

What sets them apart

ABB Turbo Systems AG occupies a rare niche as an industrial turbocharger specialist with direct R&D involvement — most turbocharger expertise in academia or research institutes is theoretical, while ABB brings product-level engineering and manufacturing depth. Their connection to the ABB Group's global industrial network and Swiss precision engineering culture adds credibility and supply-chain relevance that smaller partners cannot match. For consortia working on marine decarbonization or high-performance engine development, they are one of very few partners who can bridge applied research and commercial product deployment.

Highlights from their portfolio

• HERCULES-2
  Directly addresses ABB Turbo Systems' core market — marine engine efficiency and fuel flexibility — making this their most strategically aligned H2020 contribution.
• HyproCell
  Represents a step outside their core transport domain into hybrid manufacturing technology, showing willingness to participate in cross-sector industrial innovation.