Empowering European Manufacturing: The Roadmap for Sustainable Growth

Manufacturing forms the bedrock of the European economy, positioning Europe as a global leader across various industrial sectors, including machinery and pharmaceuticals. In 2022, constituting 17.3% of the EU’s GDP and driving 83% of exports, Europe stands as the largest exporter of manufactured goods worldwide. Moreover, manufacturing fuels 20% of global R&D investments and contributes to one-third of high-quality scientific publications.

The robustness of Europe’s manufacturing sector is exemplified by its significant surplus in the trade of manufacturing goods, amounting to approximately €286 billion in 2018 alone. This surplus enables the EU to fund the procurement of essential goods and services, such as raw materials, energy, and various services, underscoring the tangible value of the manufacturing industry to employees, consumers, and governments alike.

Yet, amid escalating competition from Asia and the United States, European manufacturing companies must continually assert their strength. This imperative is compounded by the dual transition confronting Europe: the green and digital transformations. As the manufacturing landscape undergoes a paradigm shift driven by emerging technologies like AI, big data, and blockchain, alongside heightened demands for efficiency, sustainability, and circular economy practices, Europe must expedite innovation and investments to navigate these challenges effectively.

Europe’s engineering and manufacturing companies have long been at the forefront of research and innovation, leveraging pre-competitive collaborative research within regional innovation ecosystems. The European Factories of the Future Research Association (EFFRA), established in 2010, has played a pivotal role in representing the private sector in manufacturing partnerships with EU Institutions. The success of initiatives like the Factories of the Future Partnership, under Horizon 2020, has paved the way for the Made in Europe Partnership under Horizon Europe (2021-2027), with a budget of approximately €1 billion.

The Made in Europe Partnership, developed collaboratively by EFFRA and the European Commission, is poised to chart a comprehensive roadmap for the future of European manufacturing. With objectives focused on ensuring leadership in manufacturing excellence, achieving circular and climate-neutral manufacturing, mastering digital transformation, and creating value-added manufacturing jobs, the partnership aims to foster resilient, adaptive manufacturing ecosystems capable of meeting evolving environmental and social demands.

Manufacturing, with its diverse technologies and distinct professions spanning various application sectors, requires robust cooperation across disciplines and levels. A strong partnership is imperative to unite the multifaceted manufacturing community, driving collaborative efforts toward shared goals that promote innovation and sustainable growth.

The future of manufacturing lies in Europe’s hands, supported by EFFRA and the Made in Europe Partnership, as they steer European manufacturing toward a sustainable, competitive, and innovative future.

Original source from Science Business