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Advanced Materials for Industrial Leadership Strategy
In February 2024, the European Commission published its strategy intended to describe the EU’s approach to industrial leadership in advanced materials. This strategy includes certain key definitions essential for delineating this market, and a number of concrete steps to strengthen research and innovation, scaling up and streamlining investment potential in the field. It is aimed to act as a first step towards a more comprehensive regulatory framework on the topic.
Utilising OECD definitions, the strategy described advanced materials as intentionally designed and engineered materials to display superior performance or special functions, fundamental for innovation in energy, electronics, construction and mobility – in short for the digital and green transitions.
The strategy acknowledges the pivotal role these advanced materials play in the EU’s long-term competitiveness through ensuring the development and production of key clean and digital technologies in the EU. To continue as a frontrunner in this field, the strategy outlines five pillars of further action:
- Strengthening the EU’s R&D ecosystem on advanced materials
- Fast-tracking advanced material innovations to the market, accelerating the design, development and testing of new materials.
- Designing and enabling framework for investment and financing, including setting up a new public-private partnership under Horizon Europe, aiming at a total of €500 Million between 2025-2027.
- Streamlining and incentivising procurement for innovative advanced materials projects in production and use, while developing an Advanced Materials Academy to ensure future workforce on the field.
- Setting up a Technology Council for advanced materials to advise together with Member States, industry, and associated countries on the EU’s strategy in the sector.
What’s in it for hydrogen?
The hydrogen industry depends on various advanced materials, including fluoropolymer-based ionomers, catalysts in electrolysers, graphite and carbon-based components etc. Ensuring a sustainable and uninterrupted supply of these materials across the ecosystem will be critical for the successful ramp up of the hydrogen and other clean tech sectors.
The Communication’s definition of advanced materials and the proposed Technology Council for advanced materials are essential for framing funding and financing tools and for ensuring regulatory certainty and coherence, ultimately ramping up their respective markets.
The strategy also puts an emphasis on a coherent and substantial funding framework, including through a new public-private partnership, which will help boost both public and private investments. It is important that the focus is both on scaling up proven technologies and supporting less mature technologies and materials in the highly dynamic field of advanced materials. The strategy’s value chain approach is also key, as there are vast connections amongst the industries dependent on these advanced materials; thus, a comprehensive view is essential.
Links to the original document and additional information:
