(seated, L-R): Michel Witte, CEO of IEE SA; Sheng Wang, CEO of the IEE Group; Etienne Schneider, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Economy; Credit: MECO

In the presence of the CEO of the IEE group, Sheng Wang, and the CEO of IEE SA, Michel Witte, Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy, Étienne Schneider, has signed two co-financing agreements related to the realisation of research and development projects for a total estimated cost of more than €5 million.

The first project concerns basic research around electromagnetism and aims to develop new scientific knowledge that could later lead to the development of new diagnostic tools with applications in the medical, environmental and energy fields as well as in the field of telecommunications.

The second project concerns industrial research in the field of capacitive sensors, in particular in order to avoid disturbances that may be caused by water (for example capacitive switches on glass ceramic hobs) or by electric fields.

The research activities will be carried out in close collaboration with the University of Luxembourg and other research institutes.

At the signing ceremony of the conventions, the Minister Schneider welcomed the consolidation of IEE activities in Luxembourg: "With its R&D project focused on experimental work and theoretical, IEE aims to acquire new knowledge on the fundamentals of phenomena related to electromagnetism. IEE is the first company to be supported by the basic research aid scheme of the Ministry of the Economy. Founded in Luxembourg, the company is once again demonstrating its innovative and pioneering character."

Established in Luxembourg since 1989, IEE SA is a flagship of industry and industrial research in Luxembourg. The company specialises in automotive safety systems, and in particular in the development of intelligent sensor systems. The company employs more than 3,600 people worldwide, including more than 10% in R&D. About 635 people are currently working on the IEE site in Contern and the headquarters in Echternach.