Presentation on the “Advanced Materials for Industrial Leadership” Communication 

Philip Runge (DG GROW) and Javier Sanfelix (DG Research and Innovation) 

What does it cover? 

• Communication “Advanced Materials for Industrial Leadership” published in February 2024 
• Targeting "Advanced materials”, defined as “Intentionally designed materials to have new or enhanced properties and/or targeted or enhanced structural features.  
• Advanced materials can include: 
• New emerging materials from innovative manufacturing processes (high tech materials)  
• Materials manufactured from traditional materials (low tech materials) 

Policy Context 

• These materials help implement the EU Green Deal and twin transition, they help improving efficiency and performance 
• Potential to replace key strategic raw materials 
• Expecting an increased demand for these materials. 
• Examples: semiconductors, metallic nanoparticles, sodium-ion based batteries, bio-based materials with increased insulation and circular capacity, etc... 

Objectives 

• Create a dynamic and inclusive ecosystem for advanced materials 
• Increase EU strategic autonomy and autonomy  
• Accelerate R&D, fast track uptake, foster scale-up of innovation and manufacturing capacity.  

Pillars of strategy 

1. R&D 
2. Fast track from lab to fab 
3. Digital infrastructure for industry to communicate with researchers 
4. Increase, and facilitate access to investment 
5. Need to close the gap with US regarding R&D investments 
6. Incentivise public and private actors to invest in innovation. 
7. Increase public investment.  
8. Facilitate bringing the advanced materials to the market  
9. New standards need to be developed and adopted. 
10. Public procurement is also key in steering markets and fostering innovation.   
11. Overarching pillar: Overall governance 
12. Technology Council 

Priority areas & application sectors  

• Energy, Mobility, Construction, Electronics 
• Cross cutting aspects 
• Examples of added value of using Advanced Materials in Construction 
• Noise reduction, improve energy efficiency, lower costs 

Role of Public Procurers 

• Can play a role in driving markets to implement the twin transition 
• Should assess the value added of new enablers like advanced materials for the twin transition and EU’s resilience and economic security  

Discussion  

• Public Procurement (PP): There's a need for more comprehensive information on materials that could potentially be replaced by advanced alternatives. One suggestion is to develop a matrix outlining the potential upsides or challenges associated with these materials. 
• Currently, there exists a document highlighting certain materials with concrete examples of advanced material implementations. However, the focus of available information is primarily on functionality and specific implementations. 
• The overarching goal is to position the EU as a leading player in research and development (R&D), with public procurers playing a crucial role in achieving this objective. 
• PP: There's a demand for a list of European suppliers specializing in advanced materials, as well as a platform for exchanging information within a community. Additionally, fostering competition in this sector is deemed essential. 
• Presently, such a list is not available. 
• Regarding the EC's involvement, there's a query about the existence of a matching portal collecting needs related to public procurement of materials. 
• Flanders has developed Circularprocurement.be and organizes "Buyers meet Suppliers" events to facilitate connections. 
• Clarification is sought on the relationship between this strategy and construction regulations. 
• This strategy primarily focuses on innovation to boost the market. However, once products enter the market, they are subject to construction regulations. 
• There's a question regarding whether the goal always aims to surpass the current effectiveness of materials. 
• Not necessarily; sometimes, the goal involves meeting climate objectives or enhancing the sustainability of materials.