AIR CARGO BELGIUM

Their core work

Air Cargo Belgium (ACB) is the industry association representing air cargo operators based at Brussels Airport in Machelen. Their real-world role is to advocate for and coordinate the operational and strategic interests of the Belgian air freight sector, bridging logistics practice with EU research and policy. In H2020 projects they have contributed industry expertise and real-world operational context — connecting academic research on logistics networks and sustainable aviation to the practical realities of cargo handling at a major European hub. Their participation in both a Physical Internet logistics project and a sustainable airports initiative reflects their dual mandate: improving freight network efficiency while steering the sector toward green transition.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their earliest H2020 work (2017–2020), ACB focused on physical logistics network design — specifically how freight load units move through interconnected European hubs under the TEN-T programme, reflecting a traditional freight-operations perspective. By 2021 their focus shifted decisively toward environmental sustainability: greenhouse gas reduction, sustainable aviation fuels, hydrogen, and electric ground vehicles all appear as core themes in STARGATE, alongside digital twin and digitalisation. The trajectory is clear — from network efficiency to green transition, with digital tools now embedded in both agendas.

ACB is moving toward the intersection of airport decarbonisation and digital operations, making them a relevant partner for any consortium targeting sustainable aviation fuels, hydrogen ground infrastructure, or smart freight terminals.

How they like to work

ACB participates exclusively as a consortium partner rather than a coordinator, which is consistent with an industry association role — bringing sector credibility and practitioner access rather than research leadership. Both projects placed them in large, multi-partner consortia (57 unique partners across 13 countries over just two projects), suggesting they are sought out as an industry anchor rather than a technical driver. Working with them likely means gaining access to the Belgian air cargo industry and a Brussels Airport operational testbed, in exchange for their playing a dissemination, stakeholder engagement, or validation role within the project.

ACB has built connections with 57 distinct consortium partners across 13 countries from only two projects, indicating they join large, pan-European research consortia. Their network spans transport research institutions, airport operators, logistics companies, and likely technology providers across Western and Central Europe.

What sets them apart

ACB occupies a rare position as an air cargo industry association that actively participates in EU-funded research, giving them credibility both with the freight industry and with research consortia that need real-world operational validation. Located in Machelen — the municipality of Brussels Airport, one of Europe's top-five cargo hubs — they offer direct access to an active freight ecosystem that few academic or consultancy partners can replicate. For a consortium needing to demonstrate industry uptake or test solutions at a major European cargo airport, ACB provides a direct bridge to that environment.

Highlights from their portfolio

• STARGATE
  The largest project in their portfolio by far (EUR 2.26M, running to 2026), covering the full green airport agenda — sustainable fuels, hydrogen, EVs, digital twins — making it their most strategically significant EU engagement to date.
• CLUSTERS 2.0
  Their entry into EU research, contributing air cargo expertise to a Physical Internet logistics network project under TEN-T, establishing ACB's profile as an industry voice in European freight research.