14 June, 2019 – The objective of the chemical industry is clear: a competitive, low carbon and circular economy in Europe and beyond. To meet the industry’s objective, in the context of very ambitious policy goals, we need to step up investments in innovative and sustainable solutions, as outlined by Pierre Barthélemy, Cefic Executive Director for Innovation, at the EuroNanoForum 2019, held in Bucharest from June 12-14.
Solutions are needed both in terms of advanced materials – building insulation, high performance batteries, lightweight materials – as well as advanced processes – alternative feedstock, better use and storage of alternative energy sources.
To enable these ambitious solutions, the industry needs digital technologies that are fully integrated with processes, materials development and business models. We need cross-sectorial collaboration. More importantly, we need funding. The chemical industry has received funding from Horizon 2020 and relies on Horizon Europe as one of the future possible funding instruments.
To seize the opportunity and pre-empt the challenges of Horizon Europe, the SusChem community is working on a Strategic Innovation and Research Agenda. SusChem – the European Technology Platform for Sustainable Chemistry – is a successful example of existing collaboration across the innovation ecosystem. It brings together industry, academia, policy makers, value chain partners and the wider society.
Combining all the pieces of the puzzle – breakthrough innovation, collaboration, and funding – we are striving for a sustainable future that will benefit us all.