EU publishes Strategy on Advanced Materials for Industrial Leadership
This week, the European Commission published its new Strategy on Advanced Materials for Industrial Leadership. The initiative marks a pivotal moment for the EU's green and digital transition, as the approach aims to position Europe at the forefront of advanced materials technology, crucial for sustainable innovation.
In general, the Advanced Materials strategy paves the way for a more sustainable, competitive, and autonomous European industry. By focusing on Advanced Materials, the EU is taking a significant step towards reducing dependencies on critical materials and promoting the recycling and reuse of resources.
But what are Advanced Materials?
There is a vast array of definitions. But, Advanced Materials are broadly seen as intentionally designed and engineered materials with innovative properties and functionalities.
One could argue that with that Advanced Materials comprise existing materials with new properties. Others say it may be related to novel materials and products. What we can say for sure is what they may be good for.
Advanced Materials are essential for providing solutions to today’s societal challenges, including the crucial reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Their role across various sectors is instrumental in improving technologies such as making the production of electricity more energy-efficient with higher efficiency photovoltaic materials. Or think of generation of more wind energy through larger, more efficient wind blades due to use of Advanced Materials.
So Advanced Materials bring many benefits. And that's why it is important to support the development and their use. Altogether, the newly released Advanced Materials strategy paves the way for a more sustainable, competitive, and autonomous European industry. By focusing on Advanced Materials, the EU is taking a significant step towards reducing dependencies on critical materials and promoting the recycling and reuse of resources. A good way forward.
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A strong Chemical Industry is important to develop new material solutions
Today, the chemical industry is one of the main developers and producers of Advanced Materials. And it always has been. Looking back at the track record of material innovation, chemical industry has long been developing key solutions for various sectors and different value chains - until today. This makes the chemical industry a key expert in the development of also Advanced Materials. That is a fact that needs to be considered.
The chemical industry welcomes the EU strategy on Advanced Materials for Industrial Leadership. It believes that aligning research, innovation priorities, and investments is essential to foster sustainable chemistry innovations. In this context the European chemical industry association Cefic welcomes the Advanced Materials Strategy for Industrial Leadership because it is crucial for the green & digital transition, for example.
However, in order to ensure its true success, Cefic strongly highlights the need for increased & technology scale-up funding, and PPP support. The recognition of the contributions from the chemical sector in the area of Advanced Materials is also strongly needed for Advanced Materials' support. Other associations agree as well, and so do I.
In short: The world needs Advanced Materials and the world needs also a vital chemical industry for their research, for their development and for their production. This needs to be considered in all discussions around Advanced Materials and their promotion. That`s why regulatory, academic and societal support of Advanced Materials is not only decisive, but the only way the green transition can succeed! Let's embrace Advanced Materials, let's make this happen!
Read Cefic's view on the EU Advanced Materials Strategy: