Cilyx is a Belgian company specializing in the design and manufacture of machines, production systems as well as testing and measurement solutions. Its markets? Industry and life sciences.
With 85 employees, including more than 70 specialist engineers and technicians, Cilyx generates 60% of its business in Belgium and 40% in Europe, and has a turnover of around €12 million.
Interview with Grégory Reichling, CEO of Cilyx
Our expertise lies in the development of ‘tailor-made’ production systems and is aimed at a B2B clientele, mainly large industrial players with recurring investment projects, with whom we build long-term partnerships.
Although my partner and I come from the aerospace industry, we decided to diversify. Today, Cilyx is active in both industry (aerospace, defense and, to a lesser extent, agri-food) and life sciences (pharma-biotech).
In the life sciences sector, for example, we are active in bioprocesses automation, the handling and serialization of syringes and vials, and the development of equipment for the manufacturing of pharmaceutical implants and micro-implants.
From the outset, we have chosen to position ourselves in sectors with demanding norms and standards.
Innovative and tailor-made technological solutions
The projects we carry out are clearly linked to Industry 4.0, involving intelligent robotics, automation, artificial vision, and a certain degree of complexity that requires innovation, engineering and added value.
Many needs vary from one company to another, especially when it comes to test benches that are designed to specific needs, requirements, and products. In this field, the aim is to design a machine capable of reproducing operating conditions close to those the product is likely to encounter in ‘real’ use. If the test is conclusive, the product is validated.
Similarly, an automated assembly machine is necessarily designed for a specific product. However, we use the experience gained from previous projects to optimize the design and implementation of each new project.
A first-rate design office
Cilyx is unique in having a very large design office. To give you an idea, we have 55 people in the design office and 15 in the factory, which shows how important engineering is to our business.
Once the developments are completed in our engineering office, our engineers go to the workshop to monitor and coordinate assemblies, program, and fine-tune the machines. There is a real collaboration between the different teams.
Cilyx has positioned itself as a ‘one-stop shop’. The design office takes charge of all development projects, providing skills in mechanical design, electrical, automation and industrial IT. A team is dedicated to the development of specific IT applications, particularly in the field of artificial vision, enabling the development of customized, comprehensive solutions with high added value.
That’s what makes us strong and unique!
Flagship products
The flagship solutions are undoubtedly the test benches, used to test the performance or functionalities of various products or systems. These benches are used in a variety of applications, including automotive, aerospace and defense.
These bespoke test benches incorporate the most advanced technologies in mechanics, control systems and data acquisition. We manufacture all types of test benches to validate different types of systems: mechanical, electrical, electronic, hydraulic, etc.
Another development that is keeping us very busy is the automation of bioprocesses for the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors. As mentioned above, this is clearly a sector in which we have developed considerable expertise and are keen to expand.
When visitors come to Cilyx, they are immediately convinced by a strike force in engineering, development and integration of complex production systems and special machine. Our sharp design office and recognized expertise enable us to industrialize complex solutions in record time!’ – Grégory Reichling, CEO Cilyx
Multipick – Better sorting for better recylcing
One of our greatest achievements in 2024 was the qualification of a revolutionary intelligent sorting solution for non-ferrous metal waste: the ‘MULTIPICK robotic sorting line’. This ambitious project was carried out for the Comet Group and developed in close collaboration with the GEMME research group at the University of Liège, as well as its new start-up Matvision.
Image ©️Cilyx
This sorting line, designed to process non-ferrous metal waste at very high speed, can determine the nature of the materials. Based on a waste map, 18 robots generate different material flows in a single pass.
Thanks to this machine, we no longer need to send our waste abroad, and we can keep very high added-value raw materials in Europe!
We are fortunate to be working on this demonstrator (on a 1:1 scale of the technology) in close collaboration with the Comet Group, which is at the forefront of the circular economy!
Sorting line technical specifications
Waste characterization
- Multi-sensor system integrating 3D, hyperspectral and X-ray imaging.
- Data fusion and real-time interpretation using a dedicated AI model. This solution was developed at the University of Liège and integrated by Cilyx. A start-up company (MATVISION) is positioning itself to commercialize this solution.
Supervision of 18 robots
- Optimization of cycle times and maximization of yields
Optimized line for 6 waste streams
- 5 non-ferrous metals (aluminium, brass, zinc, copper, stainless steel) and printed circuit boards
Line qualified for a capacity of 20,000 tones/year
Recovery of printed circuit boards
- Fast pneumatic ejection system
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