SOUTHEAST UNIVERSITY

Their core work

Southeast University (SEU) in Nanjing is a major Chinese research university contributing specialist knowledge in chemical process engineering, smart energy systems, and AI-driven manufacturing to European research consortia. Their work spans computer-aided process design for petrochemicals, carbon capture and CO2 utilisation, smart grid technologies including demand response and virtual power plants, and vehicle emissions reduction. They participate exclusively as a third-party or international partner, bringing Chinese research capacity and industrial context to EU-funded projects.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

SEU's early H2020 involvement (2015–2019) centred on environmental chemistry — waste plastic recycling and vehicle emissions reduction. From 2020 onward, the focus shifted decisively toward digitally-enabled industrial systems: smart grids, AI and machine learning for process control, and computer-aided design for carbon-neutral chemical manufacturing. This trajectory shows a university moving from traditional environmental engineering toward the intersection of artificial intelligence and industrial decarbonisation.

SEU is building strength at the AI-industrial decarbonisation nexus, making them a strong future partner for projects combining machine learning with green chemistry or smart energy infrastructure.

How they like to work

SEU participates exclusively as a third party or international partner — they have never coordinated or been a direct participant in an H2020 project. This is typical for non-EU universities operating under MSCA-RISE staff exchange schemes. With 53 unique consortium partners across 18 countries, they maintain a broad but non-leading network, offering specialist contributions without taking on project management responsibilities.

SEU has collaborated with 53 distinct partners across 18 countries, a wide network for only 4 projects. This breadth comes from large MSCA-RISE consortia that facilitate researcher exchange between European and Chinese institutions.

What sets them apart

As a top-tier Chinese university with active EU research links, SEU offers something few European partners can: direct access to Chinese industrial context, manufacturing scale, and research talent in process engineering and AI. For consortium builders needing a credible Chinese partner with proven H2020 track record in energy systems or smart manufacturing, SEU is an established choice. Their MSCA-RISE experience also means they understand EU project structures and reporting requirements.

Highlights from their portfolio

• OPTIMAL
  Combines AI/machine learning with carbon capture and CO2 utilisation for olefin production — a timely convergence of decarbonisation and Industry 4.0.
• TESTBED2
  Addresses scalable smart grid deployment with demand response and virtual power plants — directly relevant to the EU-China clean energy agenda.
• FLEXI-PYROCAT
  Tackles waste plastics recycling through pyrolysis-catalysis, connecting circular economy goals with chemical engineering expertise.