UNIVERSITE DE HAUTE ALSACE UHA

Their core work

Université de Haute-Alsace is a French public university based in Mulhouse, in the Upper Rhine region near the German and Swiss borders. Within H2020, they contributed specialized expertise in advanced materials — particularly sodium-ion battery technology and photopolymerization processes — typically as a third-party research contributor linked to larger consortium partners. They also engage in European university networking initiatives aimed at shaping cross-border research agendas and societal transitions.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

UHA's early H2020 involvement (2015-2018) centered on industrial manufacturing processes — robotic welding and polymer chemistry — reflecting applied materials science strengths. From 2019 onward, they pivoted toward energy storage (sodium-ion batteries with sustainability dimensions like LCA and circular economy) and European research governance. This shift suggests a growing alignment with the EU's green transition priorities and cross-border academic integration.

UHA is moving from niche manufacturing research toward green energy materials and European research network building — expect future work at the intersection of sustainable batteries and circular economy.

How they like to work

UHA predominantly participates as a third-party contributor (3 of 4 projects), meaning they are typically brought in by a direct consortium partner for their specialized lab or testing capabilities rather than leading or even formally joining consortia. With 41 unique partners across 12 countries despite only 4 projects, they operate within large, broad consortia. This profile suggests they are a reliable specialist called upon for targeted technical contributions rather than a project driver.

Despite limited direct project participation, UHA has touched 41 unique partners across 12 countries — a wide network inherited from the large consortia they contribute to. Their geographic position in the Upper Rhine tri-border region (France-Germany-Switzerland) naturally supports cross-border European collaboration.

What sets them apart

UHA's location in Mulhouse places it at a strategic Franco-German-Swiss crossroads, enabling cross-border research partnerships that many French universities cannot easily replicate. Their combination of materials chemistry expertise (polymers, battery materials) with hands-on industrial process knowledge (robotics, eco-design) makes them a practical partner for projects needing lab-to-application bridging. The EPICUR network membership signals growing institutional ambition beyond their current modest H2020 footprint.

Highlights from their portfolio

• NAIMA
  Addresses the strategic EU priority of post-lithium battery technology, focusing on sodium-ion cells for stationary energy storage with full lifecycle and circular economy assessment.
• EPICUR-Research
  Part of the EPICUR European University alliance — signals institutional commitment to deep cross-border academic integration and is UHA's only project as a formal funded participant.