European Technology Platforms (ETPs) are industry-led stakeholder organisations that develop long-term research and innovation agendas for implementation at European and national level.
They mobilise stakeholders to deliver on agreed priorities and share information across the EU. The first ETPs were established in 2003, supported by the European Commission. Today ETPs are independent and self-financing entities that conduct their activities in an open and transparent manner.
ETPs help deliver solutions to major challenges of key concerns such as an ageing society, the environment, food and energy security, and the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Building on the strategies for Europe2020 and Innovation Union, the European Commission’s current research and innovation framework programme, Horizon2020, recognises the role of ETPs as part of the external advice and societal engagement needed to achieve the programme’s objectives.
Governance
SusChem has always been an open and inclusive organisation working for and with its stakeholder constituencies. SusChem stakeholders are representatives from the large Industry, SMEs, startups and Academia (Universities & RTOs). SusChem is not established as a formal legal entity and carries out its activities through its stakeholders. This encourages a highly collaborative approach.
SusChem’s principal governance body is the SusChem Board, which manages SusChem’s overall strategy and activities. The activities of the board are supported by the SusChem innovation team and the SusChem secretariat, based at Cefic (Brussels), working to implement the SusChem strategy and SusChem’s day-to-day activities.
The National Technology Platforms (NTPs) network is currently coordinated by the SusChem Secretariat and is governed by a NTP leadership team, composed of three NTPs members, elected once a year and with a rotating chair elected amongst the three members. The SusChem NTPs network meets regularly and feeds the national perspective on a number of European countries. This input is taken into account in the SusChem Board decision-making and in all SusChem activities and priorities.
SusChem is a technology solutions provider but also a multi-stakeholder forum. Every year, SusChem organizes a major European Stakeholder event open to all stakeholders and to anyone with an interest in Sustainable Chemistry and innovation. In addition, SusChem organizes brokerage events, fostering the development of ideas and enabling the formation of consortia for EU funded projects.
SusChem also revises its Strategic Research and Innovation agenda (SIRA) together with its stakeholders. The SIRA summarizes technology priorities as advice to the strategic planning of each European Framework programme for Research& Innovation, accounting for Sustainable Chemistry and Industrial Biotech solutions for EU and global challenges.
Working process
SusChem can draw on a wide range of expertise and resources in its stakeholders and associated networks. To deliver the ETPs’ objectives and formulate its programmes, working groups are formed that bring together specialists working on specific topics, covering different technology areas, innovation programmes and education and skills.
SusChem across Europe – National Technology Platforms Membership
The network of National Technology Platforms comprises today of 17 countries across Europe. They work on national sustainable chemistry initiatives, support national engagement in EU collaborative projects and programmes and contribute to transnational collaborations.
The membership is open to all countries of the European Union and the EU research partners. It is preferably run by an industry association, but this could also be another entity i.e. a research centre, as long as its firmly supported by the national industry. If you are interested please contact our SusChem Secretary.
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