Innovate Together Initiative Drives Industrial Projects
On the 2nd of October the Innovate Together call will open, with the goal to accelerate the market deployment of Made in Europe projects.
This was decided during the European Manufacturing Conference (EMC) held in Brussels which concluded yesterday.
At the conference EIT Manufacturing, supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union and EFFRA (European Factories of the Future Research Association) announced the launch of a second edition of their joint call for proposals.
The conference was attended by over 400 participants from 33 countries, with renowned speakers such as Alvin Wang Graylin, Global VP of HTC, Monika Bachofner, Head of Open Innovation at Volkswagen AG and Philipp Horner, Chief Sustainability Officer at Voestalpine High Performance Metals.
The event highlighted the need for Europe to boost industrial growth, meet decarbonisation targets and address its innovation and skills gap.
The Innovate Together initiative aims to accelerate all these aims by increasing innovation, connecting major industry players with disruptive entrepreneurs to develop new, proven solutions.
The programme focuses on the strategic manufacturing technologies highlighted in the Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA), furthering the European Green Deal by helping European Industry to adapt to global challenges.
"Europe is at the forefront of cutting-edge innovation, yet the key lies in translating it into commercial success," says Caroline Viarouge, CEO at EIT Manufacturing.
"Innovate Together will support fast-track commercialisation of green and digital manufacturing technologies to strengthen the industry’s competitiveness."
Innovate Together, with the total budget of €5m (US$5.6m) is now calling for activities to start in May 2025.
Former Made in Europe projects are eligible for funding of up to €800,000 (US$896,000) each, to support the commercialisation of their marketable results.
Projects are limited to 18 months and bringing forces from different European regions is encouraged.
The successful continuation of the programme is down to ongoing cooperation between the two Pillars of Horizon Europe programme represented by EIT Manufacturing and EFFRA.
"Europe's success depends on its capacity to transform groundbreaking innovations into market-ready solutions," says Olaf Pannenbäcker, Chairman of EFFRA.
"Through initiatives like the Innovate Together Call, we are accelerating the adoption of green and digital manufacturing technologies, ensuring that European industry not only adapts to future challenges but strengthens its global leadership in sustainability and competitiveness.
"Maintaining Europe's competitive edge is critical to safeguarding its industrial future, and this continued collaboration between two key pillars is essential to driving innovation and securing the future of manufacturing."
The initiative will be co-programmed and co-financed by the European Commission Directorate General Research and Innovation (DG RTD) to expand its impact.
DG Communication, Communications Networks, Content and Technology (CNECT), DG Education, Youth, Sports and Culture (EAC), DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (GROW) have also supported the initiative since it began in 2023.
This call advances industrial competitiveness and scientific excellence by accelerating the market deployment of advanced technologies.
It will also help manufacturing projects better utilise R&I results, according to Maria Cristina Russo, Director for Prosperity at Directorate General Research and Innovation.
”The Innovate Together call will help manufacturing projects make the most of their R&I results in two important areas," she says.
"First-Time-Right Manufacturing helps to diminish waste and enhance efficiency. End-of-Life management contributes to circularity and climate neutrality. Both of these priorities are hugely important for sustainable competitiveness.”
Back during the first edition of Innovate Together in 2021 three projects were selected for the pilot.
One strong performer was the LAMM project, where four organisations from the United Kingdom, Belgium, Portugal and Greece formed an academic-industry partnership to develop two variants of the existing Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) kit.
They successfully created two types of end effectors, tailored to the deposition of Ti64 and steel, which were finally integrated into three pilot lines.
The Aerospace and energy industries have benefitted from the subsequent increase in WAAM 3D printing productivity due to their high volume reliance on titanium and steel. Innovate Together is sure to produce further success in 2024.
Normunds Popens, Deputy Director-General of the Directorate General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture echoes this sentiment.
“We must overcome the fragmentation of the value chain and accelerate the market deployment of innovations," he says.
"EIT Manufacturing and EFFRA are well placed to boost manufacturing innovation in Europe by providing people with the right skills, matching technologies with markets, and connecting innovators with investors.“
Despite Europe's thriving innovation landscape, a lack of strategic investment is impeding its economic transformation.
Strengthening Europe's manufacturing supply chains and industrial landscape is critical, which this call is sure to support.
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