OPEN CASCADE

Their core work

Open Cascade is a French software company specializing in 3D modeling, simulation, and computational geometry — best known as the developer of Open CASCADE Technology (OCCT), an open-source CAD/CAM/CAE software kernel. In H2020 projects, they contribute design tools, adjoint CFD (computational fluid dynamics) optimization capabilities, and open-source simulation platforms. Their work spans from industrial shape optimization to ocean energy system design tools and robotic inspection systems for maritime applications.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Open Cascade's H2020 involvement began in 2015 with fundamental computational work in adjoint CFD optimization (IODA), then shifted toward applied engineering domains. By 2018, they entered ocean energy (DTOceanPlus) and maritime robotics (ROBINS), applying their core simulation and design tool capabilities to sector-specific challenges. The trajectory shows a company expanding from pure computational geometry into domain-specific engineering applications, particularly in maritime and energy sectors.

Moving from general-purpose simulation software toward applied design tools for energy and maritime sectors, suggesting future interest in blue economy and renewable energy projects.

How they like to work

Open Cascade operates exclusively as a participant, never leading consortia — a pattern consistent with a specialist software provider contributing tools and platforms to domain-expert-led projects. With 39 unique partners across 12 countries from just 3 projects, they work in large, diverse consortia (averaging 13+ partners per project). This suggests they are a trusted technology supplier that integrates well into multi-partner research initiatives without seeking the administrative overhead of coordination.

Despite only 3 projects, Open Cascade has built a broad network of 39 partners across 12 countries, reflecting their participation in large European consortia. Their geographic connections are well distributed across Europe, consistent with their role as a software technology provider that serves diverse engineering domains.

What sets them apart

Open Cascade brings a rare combination: they are the maintainers of a widely-used open-source 3D modeling kernel (OCCT) while also offering professional simulation and design tool development services. This makes them an ideal partner when a project needs custom CAD/CAE tools, computational geometry, or open-source simulation platforms — they can both build the software and release it as a sustainable open-source product. Few companies offer this dual capability of commercial-grade engineering software development with a commitment to open-source delivery.

Highlights from their portfolio

• DTOceanPlus
  Their largest H2020 project (EUR 524K) and most strategically significant — developing open-source design tools for the ocean energy sector, combining their software expertise with renewable energy applications.
• IODA
  A Marie Skłodowska-Curie training network focused on adjoint CFD, placing Open Cascade in a research training context rather than pure industrial application — unusual for a private company.
• ROBINS
  Demonstrates their versatility — applying 3D modeling and simulation to robotics-based ship inspection, a cross-sector application connecting maritime, digital, and safety domains.