European Technology Platform for Sustainable Chemistry announced

07-Jul-2004

The European Commission, together with Cefic and EuropaBio launched their joint initiative, the "European Technology Platform for Sustainable Chemistry". The platform aims to attract investments in chemistry R&D and innovation in Europe.

This new Technology Platform will be a multi-stakeholder forum to develop a European strategic research agenda, SRA, that will include collaborative research in prioritised technology areas. It will also address non-technological barriers to chemical innovation. A launch document highlighting the rationale, scope and organization of the Technology Platform will act as a thought starter for the development of a Strategic Research Agenda and action plan.

"Research is the primary source of innovation in the knowledge-intensive chemical industry and is driving the sector forward," said European Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin. "The European chemical industry has an impressive track record of developing new products and manufacturing processes, but the challenge is to improve the transformation of laboratory ideas into new sustainable products and services to boost EU competitiveness." "The Platform offers a great opportunity to merge industry's and the EU's ambitions by focusing and aligning collaborative research in support of a more competitive and more sustainable industry," said Jan Dopper of DSM's Managing Board and current chair of Cefic's Research & Science Board. "Engagement with all stakeholders will be key to stimulate and focus the innovation process".

Dr. Stefan Marcinowski of BASF's Managing Board commented that enhancing chemical innovation is vitally important beyond the chemical sector itself, emphasising the vastly multiplied impact of chemical innovation on downstream industries. "The chemical industry is a motor for our economy - on a global as well as on a European level", he said. Dr. Johan Vanhemelrijck, Europabio Secretary General added: "The collaboration between Cefic, EuropaBio and the Commission is a significant strength of this technology platform. Together with the other sectors, biotechnology will effectively boost innovation, resulting in synergistic environmental and economical benefits for a better quality of life in a more sustainable society."

The launch document was developed by Cefic and EuropaBio in consultation with the European Commission. It shows that the Platform is timely based on a recent Cefic study "Horizon 2015" that outlined the risk to the competitiveness of the European chemical industry and highlighted innovation as a main driver for the sector's future competitiveness.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/38371/european-technology-platform-for-sustainable-chemistry-announced.html