ALLIANCE FOR LOGISTICS INNOVATION THROUGH COLLABORATION IN EUROPE

Their core work

ALICE is a European Technology Platform (ETP) dedicated to transforming freight transport and logistics through industry-wide collaboration. They coordinate roadmapping and strategy development for the logistics sector, with a strong focus on the Physical Internet concept — a vision for open, interconnected logistics networks. They act as a bridge between research communities, logistics operators, and policymakers, orchestrating efforts to accelerate zero-emission freight transport and smarter supply chain integration across Europe.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

ALICE's early H2020 work (2015–2018) centered on broad transport research strategy coordination (SETRIS) and advancing the Physical Internet concept (SENSE) — essentially setting the intellectual agenda for logistics transformation. From 2021 onward, their focus shifted decisively toward implementation: zero-emission logistics solutions, matchmaking platforms that connect innovators with buyers and financiers, and applied work on corridors, hubs, and port decarbonization. The move is from visioning to operationalizing — from "what should logistics look like?" to "how do we deploy and finance it?"

ALICE is moving from research roadmapping toward practical deployment support — matchmaking, financing mechanisms, and sector-specific decarbonization — making them increasingly relevant for implementation-stage projects.

How they like to work

ALICE operates as both a coordinator and a partner, with a fairly even split (2 coordinated, 3 as participant). With 113 unique consortium partners across 18 countries from just 5 projects, they function as a high-connectivity hub — each project places them in large, diverse consortia. This is characteristic of a platform organization: they bring the network, the strategic overview, and the coordination capacity rather than deep technical execution.

ALICE has built an exceptionally broad network of 113 unique partners across 18 countries from only 5 projects, averaging over 22 partners per consortium. This breadth reflects their role as a European Technology Platform that convenes the entire logistics value chain — from research institutes to freight operators to port authorities.

What sets them apart

ALICE is not a research lab or a consulting firm — it is the recognized European Technology Platform for logistics, which gives it a unique convening power that individual organizations cannot replicate. Their value lies in connecting the dots across the entire freight and logistics ecosystem: they know who is working on what, where the funding gaps are, and which innovations are ready for deployment. For consortium builders, partnering with ALICE means instant access to a pan-European logistics network and credibility with EU transport policymakers.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SENSE
  Coordinated by ALICE with the largest single-project funding (EUR 286K), this was the flagship effort to accelerate the Physical Internet concept from theory toward implementation.
• ENTRANCE
  A matchmaking platform connecting zero-emission transport innovators with buyers and financiers — represents ALICE's strategic shift from research coordination to market deployment.
• PIONEERS
  Running until 2026, this port-focused project is ALICE's most recent and longest-running engagement, signaling continued relevance in maritime and port decarbonization.