During an event held in Thessaloniki, TITAN Group, in collaboration with the Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (CERTH) and the International Hellenic University (IHU), announced the establishment of TITAN Digital Accelerator, an initiative based in the city and aimed to accelerate the development of innovative digital solutions and tools that can transform the building materials solutions industry.
Focusing on dynamic areas of digital technology, such as the Internet of Things, digital twins, robotics, and cybersecurity, and coupling them with the use of Artificial Intelligence, this initiative will create significant benefits not only for its three partners but also for the wider industrial sector and the research and innovation ecosystem.
At the same time, leveraging the power of synergy among one of the internationally top providers of building materials solutions, one of the biggest research bodies in Northern Greece and one of the most prominent tertiary education institutions, the initiative in question further reinforces the role of Thessaloniki as a digital innovation hub in Southeast Europe. At the national level, the TITAN Digital Accelerator underlines Greece’s orientation to innovation and extroversion, demonstrating that our country has highly skilled human resources who can create and support a knowledge-based economy.
‘TITAN Digital Accelerator’ is staffed by a highly trained and specialised workforce based in Thessaloniki.
The costs necessary for the establishment of “TITAN Digital Accelerator” have been undertaken by TITAN Group, which is also financing its operation, with a significant investment. In turn, CERTH and IHU, in addition to access to the research and technology ecosystem, contribute by providing state-of-the-art infrastructure, including the premises that house “TITAN Digital Accelerator”, laboratories, and equipment.
All three partners are working together to create an ever-renewing portfolio of projects for evaluation. TITAN Group, based on market trends and needs, is designing and financing the roadmap for the implementation of the highest priority projects, making the most of the potential of TITAN Digital Accelerator staff. At least five projects will be implemented within the first year of operation of TITAN Digital Accelerator, with more to follow in the coming years. Among them, standout projects that include the use of robots, drones and GenAI in the inspection and technical maintenance of industrial equipment, as well as the development of a series of digital tools aimed at automating and improving manufacturing processes, as well as the entire logistics chain and customer experience.
Commenting on the establishment of TITAN Digital Accelerator, TITAN Group’s chief digital and strategy officer Antonios Kyrkos said: “The establishment of TITAN Digital Accelerator in Thessaloniki marks an important step forward in the Group’s digital transformation strategy, which further strengthens our position at the forefront of digital innovation in the global cement industry. However, what gives us even greater joy is that, through this initiative and our collaboration with two of the country’s leading research institutions, we are contributing in yet another way to Greece’s shift towards innovation and extroversion and to the promotion of its human resources talent. We look forward to seeing ‘TITAN Digital Accelerator’ become the birthplace of projects that will revolutionise the way we build.”
Chair of CERTH’s board of directors Dimitrios Tzovaras said: “Embarking on this partnership, we respond to the undeniable need to deepen the links between research and the market, making available to TITAN Group not only the high-quality research infrastructure of CERTH, through two laboratories of CERTH|ITI (CERTH Information Technologies Institute), but also the expertise of our researchers in developing innovative digital solutions in a wide range of critical areas of digital technology. Our shared vision to promote innovation increases our joy in our collaboration with TITAN Group.”
Rector of the International University of Greece, Professor Stamatis Angelopoulos, said: “It is our honour and responsibility to contribute to the “TITAN Digital Accelerator” initiative, a partnership with TITAN Group and the Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (CERTH), which embodies our University’s dedication to promoting innovation and research. This project, based in Thessaloniki, promotes the interconnection of the university community with industry, opening new horizons for the implementation of innovative digital solutions in the field of building materials. At the same time, it is a shining example of how synergy between entities with a common vision and goals can strengthen the national economy and contribute to the development of a knowledge-based society.”
The event was honoured by the vice-regional governor of ME Thessaloniki, Konstantinos Youtikas, the Central Macedonia deputy regional governor for infrastructure and networks, Paris Billias, the Central Macedonia deputy governor of digital governance, Nikolaos Jollas, and the mayor of Pavlos Melas, Dimitris Aslanidis.
