Get ready for SusChem Brokerage event 2011!

SusChem is committed to helping you succeed in participating in EU Research and Innovation projects. With this in mind SusChem is organising its Annual Brokerage Event on September 14 2011 in Brussels. The event will give you the opportunity to present your project ideas and engage with possible collaborations in consortia.

The EU Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7) is a key tool to enhance European research and innovation. The 2012 work programme and calls for proposals will be officially published on July 20 with Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn announcing the details at a press conference at midday on 19 July.

The July call for FP7 will be the largest R&I funding exercise launched by the Commission with calls for proposals to fund European research and innovation, totalling around € 7 billion. The Commissioner plans to boost innovation through research with the announcement of the first calls for proposals since the adoption of the Innovation Union flagship and will give details of the main fields of research and innovation to be covered. The main focus of these work programmes is the integration of research and innovation. Particular emphasis has been placed on SMEs.

In it to win it
SusChem's Annual Brokerage Event will focus on this call and will be held on Monday, September 14 between 10:00 and 16:00 at the Hotel Silken Berlaymont, 11-19, Boulevard Charlemagne, 1000 Brussels.

Don’t miss this opportunity! First project ideas will be presented, and speed-dating sessions will be organised in order to discuss possible collaboration in consortia.

To be best prepared for the brokerage event, SusChem has already compiled an overview of the expected chemistry, industrial biotechnology and materials SusChem relevant calls of the following 2012 work programmes:

• Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and new Production Technologies (NMP)


• Knowledge Based Bio-Economy (KBBE)


• Energy


• Environment

For more information visit the SusChem website and for an impression of last year's brokerage event see our report on the blog. The SusChem Brokerage Database is also available online to facilitate consortium building.

For more information on EU funding opportunities and partners searches, please contact either Ron Weerdmeester or Judith Spaltman at PNO Consultants.

FP7 PPPs: An EU R&I Success Story?

This week (11 and 12 July) over 950 registered delegates met in Brussels to network, discuss past progress and future funding for the EU’s initial Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) on Factories of the Future (FoF), Energy Efficient Buildings (EeB) and the Green Car initiative in Brussels. The three PPPs seem to have worked well, increased industrial participation in FP7 and worked in a fast, efficient and flexible manner. More PPPs are planned as part of Horizon 2020.

The event held at the Charlemagne Building supported the preparation of proposals for the third tranche of cross-thematic coordinated calls by these research PPPs.

In his opening addresss Rudolf Strohmeier, Director-General of DG Research & Innovation, noted that €3.2 billion had been invested so far in the three existing PPP programmes, and a further €480 million of EU funding was available for the next call with deadline 1st December 2011. Projects responding to calls launched under the three PPPs have been characterised by significant industrial (including SME) participation compared to conventional FP7 projects.

Industry re-engaged
Massimo Mattucci speaking for the Factories of the Future PPP said that “Industry had re-engaged in FP7 through the PPPs” and that the PPP research roadmaps reflected industry needs.

Wolfgang Steiger of Volkswagen and the Green Cars initiative said that FP7 PPPs are “a real success story: an efficient, fast model that produces results.”

Jose-Lorenzo Valles from DG R&I endorsed the focus on industry in PPPs but stressed that the FP7 PPP calls were open to all. Overall the success rate for project proposals for PPP calls was higher (~20%) than for conventional FP7 projects. PPPs were of high added-value for competitiveness, more flexible (faster) than JTIs, and brought EC & industry together, with industry able to commit to long-term R&I investment.

Bruno Smets from Philips and EeB said PPPs were “not business as usual” They represent a true value chain approach. It was important to create a market and listen to the voice of the user. But improving the dissemination of programme results to whole value chain was very important.

Many speakers indicated that accurate measurement of the impact of the PPP work was important for the future. There was also a need to refine the governance of PPPs to allow for long term stability.

To coincide with the Information Days a new brochure has been published highlighting progress in the PPPs and including indicative information on the upcoming July 2011 calls for the FoF, EeB and Smart Cars PPPs.

Future of PPPs
Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn delivered the closing address at conference saying: "I am sure you will be very pleased to hear that the draft legislative proposal in preparation for Horizon 2020 will address the use of Public-Private Partnerships. It is important that there is a place for large-scale strategic actions such as PPPs with the critical mass to reach their objectives"

She also indicated how criteria for selecting the industry sectors that are most suitable for future PPPs are developing. Criteria should include:

• Clear added value by acting at the European level


• Demonstration of sufficient scale of impact on industrial competitiveness, sustainable growth and/or socio-economic issues


• A long-term commitment from all parties based on a shared vision and clearly defined objectives


• The scale of the resources involved in the proposal, and the ability to leverage additional investments in research and innovation


• Clear defined roles for each of the partners and agreed key performance indicators

The full text of the Commissioner’s speech can be accessed here.

Herbert von Bose of DG Research had also underlined some essential characteristics for future PPPs. Commitment from industry was essential and the proposal had to be “more than just doing business together”. The Commission needed to easily understand what the ultimate goal of the PPP is – essentially what are the measurable economic or environmental impacts or objectives. PPPs need both a technology and a business roadmap. The critical question to answer is: “What does the proposed R&I investment (i.e. EU funding) bring to the citizen and society?”

Major funding boost for Horizon 2020 welcome

Proposals for the European Union’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020 published this week include a significant boost in funding for research and innovation activities. The Horizon 2020 Framework Programme could be worth €80.2 billion if the European Commission submission gets through negotiations with other European Institutions intact.

This level of funding represents a 46% increase for Horizon 2020 compared to the budget for FP7 which is worth some € 56 billion for 2007 to 2013. In addition Horizon 2020 will be complemented by significant support from the EC Structural Funds.

Commenting on the budget proposals Ger Spork, SusChem coordinator at Cefic said: “SusChem and its stakeholders support the closer integration of research, development and innovation activities proposed for the new Horizon2020 programme. The boost to funding for the programme suggested in the draft EU budget for 2014-2020 is vital to ensure smart inclusive growth and maintain competitiveness.”

In a statement announcing the budget proposal, the Commission confirmed that the increase is meant to boost Europe’s economy and demonstrates continuing commitment to research, science and innovation.

"This is an anti-crisis budget, a pro-jobs budget and a budget for tackling our biggest challenges—things like climate change, energy and food security, health and our ageing population,” said Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, European Commissioner for Research and Innovation. “It's a pro-growth budget and more growth means less austerity for less long.”

What is new for Research?
The Horizon 2020 programme will cover three existing research and innovation instruments: FP7, the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme and the European Institute for Innovation and Technology. It will be closely linked to key sectoral policy priorities such as health, food security and the bio-economy, energy and climate change.

On the financing side, innovative financial instruments will help leveraging private investments. Public Private Partnerships, as well as Public to Public Partnerships, will be promoted. Funding schemes will be standardised and simplified. Likewise, there will be one single set of rules for participation, audit, support structures, dissemination of results and reimbursement schemes, across all funding schemes.

Budget negotiations
The budget proposal will now be passed on to the European Parliament and the European Council, which will have to approve or amend it. Negotiations between the Commission, Parliament will continue through 2012.

The MFF translates into financial terms the EU's political priorities for at least 5 years. It sets annual maximum amounts (ceilings) for EU expenditure as a whole and for the main categories of expenditure (headings). By specifying the spending limits for each category of expenditure, the MFF imposes budgetary discipline and ensures that the Union's expenditure develops in an orderly manner within the limits of its own resources and in line with Union's policy objectives. In addition, this system ensures a predictable inflow of resources for the Union's long-term priorities and gives greater certainty to beneficiaries of EU funds.

KETs key to EU innovation

The final report of the High Level Group (HLG) on Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) was published late on Wednesday (28 June). This expert group was set up by the European Commission to examine how European industry can maintain or gain a competitive edge through deploying these industrial technologies of the future: micro- and nanoelectronics, advanced materials, industrial biotechnology, photonics, nanotechnology and advanced manufacturing systems.

SusChem co-founders Cefic and EuropaBio both had considerable input to the HLG discussions, support the report’s conclusions and will help bring to reality the recommendations. The report clearly highlights the vital role of sustainable chemistry and industrial biotechnology in furthering competitiveness and addressing the grand challenges facing the EU.

The main conclusions call on decision-makers to adopt radical policy objectives to retain critical capability and capacity in Europe through a single and comprehensive approach to KETs. In particular, the group recommends that the vital importance of KETs should be reflected in the structure and funding balance in the upcoming Horizon 2020 framework for research and innovation and in the priorities of the EU's future regional policy.

Innovation first
Launching the report EC Vice-President Tajani said: "Europe's innovation depends on the development and growth of Key Enabling Technologies. We need to focus our policies better and align them to create more synergies between our instruments to boost Europe's capabilities in the area of KETs."

Technological research and product demonstration projects should be given a high priority. Further recommendations cover the combination of funding mechanisms at EU and national level and a set of actions to enhance technological skills in Europe. An "in Europe first" Intellectual Property policy is called for and a monitoring mechanism to analyse market developments on KETs is also proposed.

The Commission will report back on the policy recommendations in the report in a communication scheduled for the end of 2011.

Gernot Klotz, SusChem board member and executive director of Cefic’s Research & Innovation group, commented: “The report gives a solid blueprint [on] how the entire value chain can be activated simultaneously, which includes not only end-user industries like cars and computer chip producers, but also considers value chain process and materials industries like chemicals.” This value chain approach is a key element in SusChem’s work on innovation issues.

Sustainable chemistry is at the root of the future manufacturing value chain. The report is also an important step towards EU 2020 policy goals for sustainable growth, including efficient use of water, energy storage, resource efficiency and health.

Klotz added: “Putting through these recommendations keeps industry on the front foot to exploit KETs quickly. The end game is a strengthened EU manufacturing base, including chemicals, that will produce lighter cars with longer lasting batteries, better medical products, and smarter ways to achieve the EU’s ambitious goals for more energy efficiency and lower CO2 emissions.”

Cefic, EuropaBio and SusChem are already working with Commission officials to ensure the role of sustainable chemistry in emerging technologies. Concrete proposals have been developed that provide solutions for resource industries, raw materials, water efficiency and smart cities involving the full value chain.


Recommendations
Launched in 2010 by European Commissioners Kroes, Geoghegan-Quinn and Tajani, the KET HLG (members pictured above) had three main objectives:

• To assess the competitive situation of the relevant technologies in the EU and their contribution to address major societal challenges.


• To analyse the available public and private research and development and innovation (R&D&I) capacities for KETs in the EU.


• To propose specific policy recommendations for more effective industrial development and deployment of KETs in the EU.

The final report outlines the need for an integrated approach for all six KETs from ideas to marketable products, the need to establish combined funding mechanisms to promote KET R&D&I projects and finally a three pillar bridge model and strategy to enable KETs to pass over the so-called ‘valley of death’ from research to achieve marketable products and technologies.

Recommendations include the need for three separate stages to overcome this issue:

• Technological research, consisting of taking advantage of European scientific excellence in transforming ideals from research into technologies competitive at a global level.


• Product demonstration, in which exploitation of the KETs occurs to create innovative European product prototypes competitive at a global level.


• Competitive manufacturing, allowing product prototypes duly validated during the demonstration phase to create and maintain in Europe attractive economic environments and globally competitive industries.

Combinations of KETs are embedded at the core of most advanced products, such as electric cars, mobile phones or a advanced medical analysis technology. For example, an electric car is a combination of advanced materials for batteries, microelectronics components for power electronics in order to reduce the weight of the car, photonics for low consumption lighting, industrial biotechnologies for low friction tyres and finally advanced manufacturing systems to produce electrical vehicles at a competitive cost.

Download the full report here.

Amsterdam hosts EFIB2011

This, the fourth Annual European Forum for Industrial Biotechnology & Biobased Economy (EFIB2011), will reflect the growing context and significance of this sector. For environmental, political and economic security in Europe industry, policy-makers and academia must come together to provide viable bio-alternatives for materials, energy and products. Europe’s knowledge and infrastructure makes it uniquely positioned to lead the industrial biotechnology revolution and bring the bio-based economy to the mainstream. EFIB2011 is one of the leading conferences in this sector with high profile speakers and a comprehensive exhibition.

EFIB 2011 will take place on 18-20 October 2011 at the Novotel Amsterdam City Hotel and is organised by SusChem co-founders EuropaBio, in partnership with IntertechPira.

EFIB 2011 will feature over 60 speakers in two plenary and six parallel tracks evaluating the evolving context and growing significance of the industrial biotechnology sector. Two plenary sessions will discuss timely topics including the role of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy reform in the bioeconomy, the bioplastics markets, the use of the bio-based products by mainstream consumer brands, and the utilisation of biofuels by the aviation industry. SusChem’s Peter Nagler of Evonik will contribute to the closing plenary session.

The closing plenary keynote speech will be delivered by Dr Roger Wyse from the leading biotechnology investment firm, Burrill & Company, who will outline challenges to financing a global biobased economy and opportunities for emerging markets.

The six parallel conference tracks cover research, the NGO perspective, innovation, strategy, policy, financing and business in sets of three each day. The Research session will look into breakthroughs in industrial biotechnology and biorefinery research.

The NGO discussion session will involve representatives from NGOs, industry and policy makers and will discuss how sustainability can be measured, visualised and implemented in sourcing and the value chain. It will provide a platform for NGOs involved in the development of policy in these fields to express their views and positions on where the challenges, threats and opportunities lie for Europe.

Innovation
EFIB 2011 will feature two Innovation sessions, one on each day, and will examine different innovative biobased products. SusChem board members Marcel Wubbolts of DSM and Wim Soetaert of Ghent University will contribute to the innovation session on the second day.

The Strategy track will discuss the importance of improving awareness and understanding of the bio-economy through targeted communications. Five presentations will be followed by a panel debate on the subject of 'Communicating the Knowledge-Based Bio-economy (KBBE)'.

The Policy, Financing & Business session will explore how to profitably develop biobased products from feedstock to end product.

Joanna Dupont-Inglis, Industrial Biotechnology Director at EuropaBio says: "We are pleased to bring EFIB to Amsterdam this year and to organise it in co-operation with NIABA, the Netherlands' Biotechnology Industry Association. Although EFIB focuses largely on European industry, it has captured the interest from attendees around the world, including North America, Asia and Australia, which we are delighted about. We aim to continue attracting a truly international audience to help foster global cooperation."

More information
Full details of all presentations can be found on the event's official website and the conference brochure can be downloaded here.

EuropaBio and Cefic members are eligible for a discounted registration for EFIB2011 as members of partnering organisations. Details on how to register for the conference can be found here.

Plant-based Chemistry in Paris

The first European Congress on plant-based chemistry will take place in Paris on September 5 – 7. Plant-based chemistry constitutes a major avenue for progress in developing sustainable chemistry in Europe. Plant-based chemistry could enable a significant alternative feedstock resource from within the European agricultural community.

The two-day congress 'Plant-based Chemistry for 2020' will take place in the Maison de la Chimie in Paris and will welcome some 400 delegates representing the main plant-based chemistry players (including academic researchers, industry representatives, policymakers and venture capital providers) in Europe with the focus on achievements, challenges and opportunities for this field.

On the first day participants will discuss the state of play in biorefinery concepts from a number of perspectives in the morning, and assess the market for plant-based bioproducts in 2020 in the afternoon.

Policy and impact
On September 6 the programme will look at European policy statements and their likely impact by 2020 during the morning sessions. This session will include a contribution from SusChem on its position on the Knowledge-based Bioeconomy from SusChem board member Marcel Wubbolts.

The afternoon session will look at incentives and regulation and also feature the 2011 awards ceremony for the Agrobiobase bio economy competition.

In addition technical visits to a number of company facilities are possible on Wednesday September 8.

More details of the programme can be found here and details of the registration proceedure here.

The congress is co-organised by the Association Chimie du Vegetal (ACDV), Axelera, the European Renewable Resources and Materials Association (ERRMA), the Germany-based Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR), the French Industries and Agro-Resources cluster (IAR), the UK’s National Centre for Biorenewable Energy, Fuels and Materials (NNFCC) and the Union des industries Chimiques (UIC) – the French chemical industry body.

FP7 PPP Info Days announced

A two-day information event on FP7 Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) calls on the Energy-efficient Buildings, Factories of the Future and Green Cars initiatives will be held in Brussels on 11-12 July 2011.

The event to be held at the Charlemagne Building will support the preparation of proposals for the third tranche of cross-thematic coordinated calls by these research PPPs. Delegates will hear about the proposed research areas, conditions for participation and future priorities of the PPPs.

The event will also host formal and informal brokerage and networking opportunities.

Details of the event programme can be found here and online registration can be accessed here. Registration will close on 5 July.

SusChem News hopes to be reporting from the conference.