For decades, steel has been used as one of the most important construction materials for critical infrastructure in numerous sectors – including ports. However, intensive use and changing load cycles expose it to the risk of fatigue cracks. A Dutch start-up has developed a technology that provides real-time insights for the early detection of fatigue cracks. It is now being tested in the port of Duisburg. The cooperation came about through the Enterprise Europe Network – represented on the German side by the NRW.Europa team at ZENIT GmbH.

The technology developed by Villari, a spin-off from Delft University of Technology, made it possible to detect fatigue cracks at an early stage, significantly reduce inspection costs and ensure the safe operation of port cranes even when damage was present. It provides plant operators with real-time insights not only into crack growth, but also into the areas of steel structures with the highest stresses, where cracks are most likely to occur. Thanks to this technology, operators can safely postpone non-urgent repairs, protect availability and even operate plants safely beyond their calculated service life.

Despite its attractive business model and clear added value for industries with steel-based structures, the company has relied on strong international partners from the outset to build networks, increase acceptance of innovations in industries that are still very traditional in some cases, and grow internationally. 

This is where the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) came into play. After an initial meeting at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the Dutch EEN partner InnovationQuarter established contact with the North Rhine-Westphalian EEN partner NRW.Europa at ZENIT. The two organisations know each other from their joint work within the EEN Sector Group Digital, among other things. ZENIT then organised contact between Villari and startport, a subsidiary of the Port of Duisburg and a central platform for innovation in logistics and supply chains. As a start-up and innovation accelerator, startport works with Duisport to test and implement new technologies for the world's largest inland port in order to improve operations. 

EEN North Rhine-Westphalia / NRW.Europa:
‘As part of our internationalisation advisory services within the Enterprise Europe Network, we work every day to connect innovative companies with the right partners across Europe. When Villari approached us with its state-of-the-art monitoring technology, it quickly became clear that they needed a future-oriented environment to validate and scale their solution. Identifying tartport in Duisburg as a potential partner was therefore an obvious choice. We are delighted that this connection has led to a promising collaboration and demonstrates how the Enterprise Europe Network supports SMEs in accelerating their innovation journey and expanding their impact across borders.’
Benno Weißner, EEN advisor at ZENIT GmbH, EEN NRW / NRW.Europa

Villari:
‘Collaborations like this play a key role in turning innovations into real impact. They have helped us advance more quickly internationally and validate our technology in one of Europe's most important port locations.’
Olivier Baas, CEO of Villari

startport:
‘At startport, we are constantly on the lookout for forward-looking technologies that will strengthen the future of the Port of Duisburg. We came into contact with Villari through the Enterprise Europe Network and immediately recognised the potential of their innovative infrastructure monitoring solution. The collaboration enables us to test and deploy technology in the port environment that supports safer, smarter and more efficient operations. We look forward to working with Villari and jointly driving forward the digital transformation of the Port of Duisburg.’
Johannes Franke, Managing Director, startport

Duisport:
"Our cranes have to run around the clock – any downtime has a massive impact on our operations. When we detected cracks in a crane at an early stage, Villari helped us to ensure safe operation until the damaged parts were replaced. With their sensor system, including permanent monitoring, a user-friendly online dashboard and excellent support, we were able to detect further crack growth immediately. Without this system, we would have had to carry out frequent manual inspections, which would have resulted in significant downtime and high labour costs."
Timo Gryzan, Head of Crane Technology, Duisport

Kontakt zu den beteiligten Unternehmen: 

Villari
InnovationQuarter
startport
duisport


Kontakt zum NRW.Europa-Team: 

ZENIT GmbH / Enterprise Europe Network
für Nordrhein-Westfalen NRW.Europa 
Benno Weißner
Telefon: 0208 30004-69
E-Mail: Benno.Weissner@zenit.de

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