EU chemical industry FP9 wish list: innovation ecosystems, manufacturing and impact

According to CEFIC, the European lobby group for chemical industries, the EU’s next framework programme should mobilise public private partnerships to focus on areas which cannot be sufficiently tackled by individual member states, such as energy, climate, mobility, health and digitalisation.

The European chemical industry envisions a framework programme that puts partnership-driven innovation, competitive manufacturing and measurable impact at the core of its strategy. “A reliable growth strategy for the European economy can only be realised with partnership driven innovation to address major challenges, provide competitiveness and sustainability,” the CEFIC paper says.

Speaking at a conference organised by the European Commission to launch the public debate on the next framework programme, Jean Pierre Clamadieu CEO of Solvay said that “we can imagine a new FP9 that nurtures a European-based research, innovation and science ecosystem linked to industry.”

From the text:

“When designing the new FP9, CEFIC recommends taking into consideration:

• A Competitive Innovative Ecosystem: Engaging all actors and innovation from within one programme pillar. The innovation pillar should combine the Horizon 2020 industry pillar; a tailored programme for start-ups and entrepreneurs; and a European Innovation Council advising on R&I policy and engagement.
• A Balanced R&I Portfolio: Planning and steering all initiatives with the aim of continuously delivering the highest overall impact.
• A Competitive European Manufacturing Base: Key enabling technologies in process technologies and enabling materials should be the backbone of this change to ensure manufacturing in Europe is boosted.
• Sustainable Development & Impact: Results should be measured in terms of impact, replication potential, and benefits to society, environment and the economy to safeguard growth and jobs.

Read the full paper here