The Role of the Textile ETP as Enabler of Industrial Innovation
Lutz Walter
Secretary of the Governing Council EESC Hearing, Brussels, 04/05/2012
EU Textiles today
Industry key figures 2011:
€ 179 billion annual turnover
1.85 million employees
147,000 companies (99% SME’s)
EU industry competing on the basis of: •high value added/high quality products
•niche market strategies
•rapid market reaction
• sustainability in operations
(by fibre usage)
Textile ETP Mission & Objectives
Industry-led initiative launched in 2004
• Mission:
Ensure long-term competitiveness EU Textile & Clothing Industry through collaborative, market-oriented research & innovation
• Key-objectives: – Establishment effective EU-wide expert network
– Development Strategic Research Agenda (SRA)
– Implementing the SRA (e.g. Projects, Financing)
– Bringing results to the industry
– Promoting a positive, innovative industry image
Societal Challenges – Textile Solutions
Innovative
Textiles
Health
Transport
Food,
Water
Safety
Climate
Change
Energy
Textile Materials & Technologies as Innovation Enablers in other Industries
Alternative Materials
• Light-weight, flexible, soft, (multi)functional, durable, energy-efficient in production, transport & use
New Technologies
• Flexible, continuous, versatile, energy & material efficient manufacturing processes
Functional Components
• Reliable, multi-functional, cost-effective, user-friendly parts of larger technology systems & solutions
Textile Materials & Technologies as Innovation Enablers in other Industries
Alternative Materials
• Light-weight, flexible, soft, (multi)functional, durable, energy-efficient in production, transport & use
New Technologies
• Flexible, continuous, versatile, energy & material efficient manufacturing processes
Functional Components
• Reliable, multi-functional, cost-effective, user-friendly parts of larger technology systems & solutions
Innovative Textile Materials & Technologies are at the origin of many,
many innovations in virtually every sector and large end market.
But they are usually at the early stages of value chains with limited control of end
market developments. Collaboration with value chain partners & end users is
therefore the key for success.
Continuous Innovation in Textiles and Fashion
Technology Transfer
• Eco-innovation & resource efficiency, recycling
• Customer & market driven cross-sectoral innovation
Design & Creativity
• Non-technological innovation / user-driven and social innovation
New Business Models
• Customisation & personalisation (for individuals, specific customer groups & new markets)
• Value chain management, logistics, value-added services, IT adoption
Continuous Innovation in Textiles and Fashion
Technology Transfer
• Eco-innovation & resource efficiency, recycling
• Customer & market driven cross-sectoral innovation
Design & Creativity
• Non-technological innovation / user-driven and social innovation
New Business Models
• Customisation & personalisation (for individuals, specific customer groups & new markets)
• Value chain management, logistics, value-added services, IT adoption
SME’s in the textile and fashion business constantly invest in innovative products, processes, services and business models
to always stay one step ahead of competition. In this process they apply
new technologies, knowledge & creativity. This can be as risky and
rewarding as technical R&D and merits public support.
ETP Collaborations in Societal Challenges & Enabling Technologies
Manufacturing technologies - Factories of the Future PPP
Advanced Materials – Alliance4Materials Initiative
European Consumer Goods Research Initiative
Building UP - Energy-efficient buildings PPP
Nanotechnology – NanoFutures Initiative
Water – European Innovation Partnership on Water (under preparation)
On-going Textile ETP Activities
Continue to monitor and shape EU research & innovation policies and programmes with relevance to the T/C sector
Provide T/C industry & research community with operational support to make most of existing EU funding & networking opportunities
Initiate, drive & implement major European-scale research & innovation actions – along value chains, across ETPs
Ensure optimal results transfer to industry
Carry out image-improving actions
How can ETP support implementation of EU Research
& Innovation Policies ?
Key issues
ETPs as sounding board for policy making
Enabler of cross-sectoral & value chain oriented initiatives at EU level
Industry/SME involvement & commitment
Research results transfer to industry/market
Impact on national/regional level (ERA-Nets, Clusters, Smart Specialisation…)
ETP’s should be the sectoral or technological grounding pillars upon which to build many cross-sectoral & value-
chain driven European research & innovation actions
Visit
www.textile-platform.eu
for additional information or
contact:
Lutz Walter Euratex
Tel.: +32-2-285.48.85 E-mail: [email protected]
Contact