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Value4Nano: Industrial valorization of strategic value chains for nano-enabled products

Final Report Summary - VALUE4NANO (Value4Nano: Industrial valorization of strategic value chains for nano-enabled products)

Executive Summary:
The final goal of VALUE4NANO CSA was to develop an Implementation Plan of 4 value chains and related target products (detailed in the list below), including detailed business modelling and planning for a set of pilot lines and involving strategic industries and other stakeholders.
• Nano and micro printing for industrial manufacturing
• Nano-enabled, depollutant and self-cleaning surfaces
• Manufacturing of powders made of functional alloys, ceramics and intermetallics
• Lightweight multifunctional materials and composites for transportation
In order to reach such target, the following 4 strategic objectives were set:
1. Formation and activation of 4 value chain expert groups, fostering industry alliances and involving relevant research and innovation actors;

2. Development and completion of the 4 Value Chains (VCs), by in-depth market analysis, clustering of project best practices on the selected value chains, gap analysis up to identification of needed technical and not technical actions to implement the VCs.

3. Release of a short-medium term (up to 2022) Implementation Roadmap for the selected value chains and related pilot lines. Long term actions were also considered. Business modelling and planning for selected pilot lines will were performed.

4. Performing roadmapping, networking and exploitation activities in a wide application-oriented network with nano relevance, linking together all EU actors and stakeholders.

Project Context and Objectives:
During the second decade of the 21st century, Europe has been facing a series of crucial challenges: low growth, insufficient innovation, and a diverse set of environmental and social challenges. Europe 2020, the EU's comprehensive long-term strategy, recognizes these challenges and argues that Europe is experiencing a moment of transformation.
Whilst a significant part of the goods and services that will be available in the markets of the 2020's are yet unknown, the main driving force behind their development will be the deployment of KETs.
In order to advance European Research Area (ERA) and Innovation Union objectives and reduce fragmentation, it is vital to implement nano-promising related research into activities and finally into key marketable products:
• which may contribute to address Societal Challenges of our time in alignment with Horizon 2020 strategies;
• which may boost European Industrial Leadership in different sectors and contribute to the development of a knowledge-based economy;
• where the nanotechnology can offer a clear benefit and added value compared to traditional pathways;
• where critical mass is vital for success and where breakthroughs require cross-border solutions, enhancing synergies with other KETs.
The NANOfutures initiative, the Integrating Technology and Innovation Platform on nanotechnology launched in 2009 by NANOfutures association, has the skills and network (driven by industries) to lead this process. NANOfutures links together more than 1000 nano-related stakeholders from industries, research centres and universities, public organisations, national and regional clusters, standardisation bodies, banks, investors and developers. The NANOfutures Research and Industrial Roadmap developed in the framework of the past NANOfutures CSA defined industry-driven-value chains involving many industrial and research experts and other stakeholders. Seven cross-application value chains were identified and then a list of actions for some specific markets, leading to a preliminary identification of 27 market driven value chains.
VALUE4NANO focused on a specific set of NANOfutures market-driven value chains aimed at particular applications, bringing forward a clear plan for their implementation in order to develop successfully and socially sustainable products.

Project Results:
4.1.3.1 WP1-VALUE CHAINS CHALLENGES IDENTIFICATION AND ACTIVATION OF INDUSTRY GROUPS (M01-M22)

Objective + (Status) + (Associated Activities)
• -To extensively analyse the current market situation and future trends and market challenges related to the 4 identified value chains (Completed) (Task 1.1 – M1-M6)
• -To deeply evaluate future economic and social impact that will be brought by the implementation of the VCs (Completed) (Task 1.2 – M2 – M7)
• -To form and activate industry groups, which will start the roadmapping activities as well as will be the basis to form industry alliances, promoted in an “Industry Alliance” Workshop (Completed) (Task 1.3 – M2 – M22)

4.1.3.1.1 TASK 1.1 MARKET ANALYSIS OF SELECTED VCS: CURRENT SITUATION AND FUTURE CHALLENGES - DELIVERABLE D1.2
International studies were analysed and surveys were developed by NFA-microTEC and contributing partners. The value chain survey collected the feedback of companies and academia research teams reflecting an overview about the gaps they have been facing in transferring their research into marketable products, including safety, regulation and standardisation aspects.
Desk research was performed in order to provide key findings from other studies on nano industrial environment and a description of the markets related to the selected value chains.
Experts contributed to this task by providing information on trends in safety and acceptance of nanomaterials by consumers and the public; and helped by providing trends in standardisation related to nano. Partners also provided information on soft and hard regulation related to nano applied in different markets, including current trends on nano-labelling.

4.1.3.1.2 TASK 1.2 ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CROSS-CUTTING IMPACT OF SELECTED VCS - DELIVERABLE D1.3
The impact of the European implementation of each proposed VC on the society was evaluated; a questionnaire was developed by NfA-CERTH for its evaluation. The results consisted of personal opinions of members of the horizontal WGs on “Skills & Education” and “Safety” regarding VCs impact on Education/Employment, Quality of Life/Health and Environment.

4.1.3.1.3 TASK 1.3 ACTIVATION OF INDUSTRY GROUPS ON VCS - DELIVERABLES D1.1 D1.4
The goal of Task 1.3 was to get almost 30 industry experts involved in the Value Chain Working Groups (VC WGs), approximately 7 for each value chain. VC WGs were involved in the roadmapping activities as well as from potential industry alliances at a later stage.
Selection of the industry experts for the VC WGs started with analysing Spinverse’s database of over 30.000 contacts in the nano and advanced materials area. In addition to this, companies relevant to the Value Chains were searched from public online sources. This was done by making online enquiries on the Internet by entering keywords relevant to the predefined Value Chains. Suggestions for industry experts were also gathered from the Value4Nano project partners, Value4Nano survey responders and NANOfutures stakeholders. 144 relevant industry experts were initially identified. Starting from them, a final selection of 45 participants was confirmed.
“Industrial Alliance” workshop was organised and took place on M21 (7th of May 2015) in Brussels with the aim to:
- present the progress on VALUE4NANO roadmapping activity;
- revise and validate such preliminary findings, confirming industrial interest on the selected pilots;
- brainstorm on pilot lines, providing an estimate of needed public and private efforts,
- stimulate industrial alliances for future building of consortiums or business development.

4.1.3.2 WP2-VALUE CHAINS DEVELOPMENT AND ACCOMPLISHMENT (M01 – M18)

Objective + (Status) + (Associated Activities)
Formation and activation of 4 value chain expert groups, fostering industry alliances and involving relevant research and innovation actors coming from clustering of European, national and regional projects on the selected value chains (Completed) (Task 2.2 – M3 – M18)
Development and completion of the 4 value chains (VCs), by:
• integrating project best practices on the selected value chains;
• evaluating VC potential constraints and opportunities
• developing an exhaustive gap analysis, identifying the needed technical and not technical actions to implement the VCs. (Completed) (Task2.1 M1-M7; Task2.3 M5-M11; Task2.4 M7-12)

4.1.3.2.1 TASK 2.1 CLUSTERING OF EXISTING PROJECT BEST PRACTICES AROUND SELECTED VCS - DELIVERABLE D2.1
In the Deliverable D2.1 the clustering of the EU project around the VC was reported. The analysis showed that the identified projects are in line with the Value Chain activities and provides examples of technologies and products related to the V4N value chains and at different stage of development. In fact from the analysis it appeared that there were different projects whom results could be suitable of pilot lines/pre-commercial activities (e.g. MICROFLEX, with TRL of 5-6), while others would require further industrial research (e.g. PLASMAS at TRL 1-2) and finally others would need further innovation activities and upscaled manufacturing (e.g. NANOMICEX at TRL 3-4). For the safety aspects a number of European projects were identified which addressed safety along the value chain through the integration of a specific safety and risk work package within an innovation-led project. In addition, several projects were identified which focus on sustainable development and life cycle assessment more broadly for nano-enabled products. The project selection made on subsequent refinements on FP7-NMP projects, collection of feedback from partners and external experts from NANOfutures Platform led to 22 identified projects. More than 40 participants from these projects have been contacted to be part of the Value Chains groups and about 15 were present to the first Value Chain workshop.

2.3.2.2 TASK 2.2 VALUE CHAIN GROUPS – DELIVERABLES D2.2 D2.5
This task was aimed at the formation and activation of Value Chain Groups on each the four identified value chains. The VC groups were initially based on the Industry Groups identified at WP1, and completed with other relevant experts trying to cover as maximum VC steps as possible. These experts were selected from a larger group, coming from different sources:
- Experts already identified in the DoW;
- Value4Nano survey contributors;
- NANOfutures members;
- Experts identified from FP7 relevant projects
A total of 43 industries and 37 experts from research and innovation form the VC groups.

The 1st Value Chain workshop was held in Brussels on March 12th, 2014, with the attendance of more than 50 experts. Its main goals were:
• Introduction of the project and the workshop.
• Analysis of the main gaps on the four different value chains from an industrial point of view.
• Evaluation of the main constraints and opportunities related to their implementation and to the development and release to market of products.
As a result of the 1st VC workshop, the main gaps of the four Value Chains were analysed from an industrial perspective. Also, main constraints and opportunities related to their implementation and to the development and release to market of products were evaluated.

The 2nd VC workshop was held in Brussels on 12th November, 2014, as planned in the DoW. Its aim was:
• To present the progress on Value4Nano roadmapping activity, including the list of selected pilot lines.
• To validate and further develop the Value Chain Roadmaps.
• To brainstorm on business modeling and planning for the selected pilot lines.

As result of the 2nd VC workshop, each Value Chain specific short-, medium- and long-term actions (both technical and non-technical) were revised and completed. Specific comments and new ideas were sent by email to the VC leaders after the workshop, including those from the experts that could not attend the meeting. Also, preliminary business models for the four identified pilot lines were developed with the contributions of Value4Nano experts. After the workshop, this business models were refined, by reducing overlapping and clearly expressing benefits for customers.

2.3.2.3 TASK 2.3 IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES RELATED TO SELECTED VCS - DELIVERABLE D2.3
The Value Chains leaders carried out the identification of the strengths and weaknesses related to each value chain on the basis of the inputs of the workshop, the online survey and the product classes outlined.
The inputs were organised in Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis tables that can be considered as the background scenario of the pilot lines identified in Value4Nano.

2.3.2.4 TASK 2.4 GAP ANALYSIS AND IDENTIFICATION OF PILOT LINES TO BE DEVELOPED – DELIVERABLE D2.4
D’Appolonia developed a comprehensive gap analysis for each VC, in order to identify the needed technical and not technical actions to implement the VCs and release commercial products. The work was based on the results of the activity performed within each Value Chain Group (during the first workshop and by email exchanges) and on the results of the Roadmapping survey (54 answers), online on the V4N website from early June to end of July 2014 and involving also WGs and ETP representatives. Moreover, considerations collected in the first online V4N market survey (more than 200 answers) were taken into account in drafting and summarizing the proposed actions to solve value chain gaps.
For each value chain, (1) the list of identified product classes with the estimated TRL was shown, (2) the correlation between identified technical, economic and societal gaps and product classes was reported, (3) top gaps voted by the experts and stakeholders, (4) table with short, medium and long term actions to solve the identified gaps were built up, (5) a short list of top product classes on which there is need to develop pilot line facilities and (6) action fiches detailing the short term actions were developed.
The overall results were highly revised by VC experts and WG members remotely and during project meetings, starting from VC Workshop of 12th November 2014.

2.3.3 WP3 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ON VALUE CHAINS & PILOT LINES (M11 – M22)

Objective + (Status) + (Associated Activities)
-To develop a feasibility study on a possible set of pilot lines, assessing also TRL and MRL of their target products and technologies. (Completed) (Task3.1 M11 – M15)
-To identify possible synergies with other KETs in order to cover all aspects up to the development of the final product. (Completed) (Task 3.2 M12 – M16)
-To draft business modelling and planning for the development of such pool of products. (Completed) (Task 3.3 M15 – M18)
-To develop a short-medium term Implementation Roadmap. (Completed) (Task 3.4 M15 – M22)

2.3.3.1 TASK 3.1 FEASIBILITY STUDY OF IDENTIFIED PILOT LINES, INCLUDING TRL AND MRL ASSESSMENT – DELIVERABLE D3.1
This task aimed at developing a feasibility study on pilot lines identified in T2.4. The feasibility study was performed on the 4 pilot lines listed below:
- 1a: Nanostructured antimicrobial, antiviral surfaces (medical devices, hospitals, etc) and 1b: Nanocoatings for mechanically enhanced surfaces (e.g. abrasion resistance, low friction)
-2: Materials with customized thermal/electrical conductivity properties (e.g. skins of aircrafts for lighting protection, thermal layer, etc.)
-3a: 3D printed Polymeric microfluidic MEMS for nozzles or filters, for sensor applications and for multi-use chip (including also injection moulded nanostructures in plastics) and 3b: Lab on chip (including bio-compatible or toxic scaffolds, active influence of cell growth & differentiation)
-4a: Microelectromechanical systems - MEMS (including Micro or Nano Opto-Electro-Mechanical Systems) and 4b: Non mainstream MEMS
Value chains experts made general description and assessed the TRL and MRL of the product classes potentially suitable for pilot lines. The final list of pilot lines was decided during the Working Group Meeting (held on the 11th of September 2014) where the said product classes were prioritised based on their expected economic and social impact, resource needed to implement pilot line facilities and starting TRL: the product classes with too low TRL, i.e. <4, or too high, i.e. >6, were discarded.
Market analysis was developed for pilot lines product focusing on geographical level of development and trends, worldwide distribution of key players and individuation of key product segments and applications.
The expected economic, social and technological impacts of the product classes included in the selected pilot lines were evaluated by the experts in the case of pilot line activities performance at European level.
Human health and environment risk analysis was specifically developed on each pilot line. Potential risks for safety, security and ethics were also analysed.
Pilot lines supply chains were graphically schematised representing the basis for the next business modelling and planning activities.
These findings were validated through discussion and collection of feedbacks during the VC-WG Workshop (involving technical and non-technical experts) and the Steering Committee Meeting (involving the European Technology Platforms). Both meetings took place in Brussels (12th of November 2014).

2.3.3.2 TASK 3.2 BUILD UP SYNERGIES AND COOPERATION WITH OTHER KETS FOR THE IDENTIFIED PILOT LINES – DELIVERABLE D3.2

Task 3.2 activities (starting in month 12) aimed at the identification of cross-KET synergies encompassing major technological and non-technological issues beyond the nano-specific ones and related to value chains and corresponding pilot lines. First of all, cross-KETs synergies were recognised among other funded CSAs and projects thorough the identification of gaps and best practices, afterwards these statements were validated thanks to the opinion that stakeholders and experts provided during several workshop organised during the mentioned projects and CSAs and finally the most relevant achieved results were consolidated by finding synergies regarding the pilot lines. The Consortium identified synergies between preliminary VCs roadmapping results and the following recent or on-going initiatives related to nanotechnology or to Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) in general: RO-cKETs, EU-KNIGHTS, Multi KETs PILOT LINES, FutureNanoNeeds and Kets_Observatory. During this task, the interaction between working groups of all these initiatives was important to improve cross-fertilisation and to align on possible synergies between nano and other KETs which were of strong industrial and social interest for the VALUE4NANO network.

2.3.3.3 TASK 3.3 BUSINESS MODELLING & PLANNING ON SELECTED TARGET PRODUCTS (OR PILOT LINES) – DELIVERABLE D3.3
Task 3.3 aimed at developing suitable business models and draft business plans for each pilot line and related pool of products. First of all the selected pilot lines (listed below) were described in terms of market as well as targets and economic and social impacts that the development of such pilots would bring to the European environment. Afterwards, an analysis of successful existing business models in the selected market and the development of suitable V4N business models were performed. Finally, guidelines for future industrial business plan for each pilot line and related pool of products were released.
During the first V4N workshop that took place in Brussels on 12 March 2014 a list of potential pilot lines and associated products was preliminarily identified and it was reported in Deliverable D2.4. During the process of prioritisation and thanks to the on-line questionnaires to which 200 experts participated, a prioritised list of pilots was identified, namely the following:
Pilot Line 1 (VC2)
• Nanostructured antimicrobial, antiviral surfaces (medical devices, hospitals, etc.)
• Nanocoatings for mechanically enhanced surfaces (e.g. abrasion resistance, low friction)
Pilot Line 2 (VC4)
• Lightweight materials with customized thermal/electrical conductivity properties (e.g. skins of aircrafts for lighting protection, thermal layer, thermoelectric materials for thermoelectric generators, etc.).
Pilot Line 3 (VC1)
• 3D printed Polymeric microfluidic MEMS for nozzles or filters, for sensor applications and for multi-use chip (including also injection moulded nanostructures in plastics)
• Lab on chip (including bio-compatible or toxic scaffolds, active influence of cell growth & differentiation).
Pilot Line 4 (VC1)
• Microelectromechanical systems - MEMS (including Micro or Nano Opto-Electro-Mechanical Systems)
• Non mainstream MEMS VC1
Each pilot line was then characterised following mainly two methods:
• Desk research: review of Strategic Research Agendas, bibliography, scientific literature, market analyses, etc. Such research started during the preliminary stages of analysis prior to the second workshop to gather some general data on the pilot lines and on their associated products. A review of such analysis was also carried out during the development of the business model.
• Business Model: during the second V4N Workshop that took place in Brussels, in November, 2014 a methodology based on canvas business model was proposed to all participants, divided into Value chains working Groups in order to preliminary develop a visual chart with elements describing the pilot lines product's value proposition, infrastructure, customers, and finances.
Each pilot line was described also trough a Porter’s Five Force Analysis. Such analysis provides a framework to evaluate the level of competition within an industry, helping firms to develop their business strategies in order to gain a competitive advantage over the competitors. The method draws upon industrial organization economics to derive five forces that determine the competitive intensity and therefore attractiveness of a market. The five forces are: threat of new competition; threat of substitute products or services; bargaining power of customers (buyers); bargaining power of suppliers; intensity of competitive rivalry.
Then, possible business models were planned for each pilot lines starting from existing businesses. Actually, these established businesses helped to recognise where change was needed and how business innovation could contribute increasing companies’ competitiveness and nano-technologies uptake.
After having collected this background, in order to design innovative business models, D’Appolonia organised a workshop in November 2014 to brainstorm on business modelling, asking contributions from the Value4Nano experts in drafting, based on the Business Model Canvas, the key aspects of companies operating in each pilot line markets.
Finally, guidelines for business plans were released as a decision making tool for the companies operating (or that wish to enter) in the nanotechnologies market. In particular, these set business goals and priorities, and, starting from the Porters’ Five Forces and from the analysis of the existing Business Models, defined how firms can reach such goals.

2.3.3.4 TASK 3.4 DEVELOPMENT OF A SHORT-MEDIUM TIME IMPLEMENTATION ROADMAP - DELIVERABLE D3.4 D3.5
Task 3.4 aimed at developing coherent Implementation Roadmaps detailing value chains technical and non-technical actions proposed for the valorisation of nano-enabled technologies, services and products.
The roadmap activity was successfully performed with an inclusive approach, involving project partners, Value Chain expert groups and NANOfutures large Working Groups, by means of surveys and face-to-face meetings.
The roadmap included an overall plan focusing on short-medium term actions proposed for the period 2015-2022, as well as detailed roadmaps for each Value Chain. Cross-cutting non-technical actions were also included. Description of the impact was also provided for each short-medium term action, together with other details (specific challenges, scope of the action, starting and expected TRL, needed resources etc.). Long term actions (beyond 2022) were also prepared.
Among the proposed short-medium actions there were pilot line actions, which were analysed in detail by the expert groups, providing extended feasibility studies (quantitative impact and targets, business modelling, guidelines for business plans and risk analysis).
The roadmap was:
• Discussed and endorsed by key industries of the value chains during the Industry Alliance Meeting (Brussels, 7th May 2015);
• Submitted for open consultation on the NANOfutures Platform website, during May - July 2015, in order to collect feedbacks from inside (more than 1,000 registered members) and outside Nano-technology communities;
• Discussed during the Value4Nano/NANOfutures workshop at EuroNanoForum 2015 (Riga, 12th June 2015) and finally validated by the NANOfutures Steering Committee (ETPs and WG chairs meeting in Riga on the same date).
Graphical representations of the accomplished roadmapping activity were developed. In these schemes, actions formulated by the experts during the Gap-analysis, were organised in short, medium and long term. Each action was described, in the same representations, with the related value chain step which can be found down in each roadmap graphics (material, modelling, tool, metrology and assembly). Furthermore, the actions were arranged in a box accompanied by two series of numbers. The series on the right side of action boxes represents the expected TRL, evaluated by the experts from the current TRL during project meeting and workshops. The series on the left side of the boxes describes the link between actions and products. Groups of products were placed in the last column on the right of each roadmap scheme. (See attached picture).
Value chains technical and non-technical actions brief descriptions were arranged in Action Summary Tables and detailed in description fiches. For each value chain a table summarising the expected impact was developed.
Pilot lines roadmapping activity was also described and enriched with the risk analysis and the business planning performed respectively during T3.1 and T3.3.
The efforts that the experts were asked to perform during the Industrial Alliance Meeting (Brussels, 7th of May 2015) in order to estimate the industrial profitability of products and services proposed to be developed, were organised in possible Consortia Structures Tables.
A Gantt chart was also developed in order to represent the overall roadmapping activity.

2.3.4 WP4 EXPLOITATION, NETWORKING AND DISSEMINATION
For the details of this work package please see next paragraph (Potential impact and main dissemination activities and exploitation results).

Potential Impact:
2.4 Potential impact and main dissemination activities and exploitation results
VALUE4NANO aimed at suggesting valuable and strategic innovation pathways for companies and entrepreneurs, identifying constraints and opportunities, with the purpose of overcoming technological and non-technological barriers against effective commercialisation of nano-enabled products.
The final result was an Implementation Roadmap of selected Value Chains and related target products, included detailed business models and business plans for the product pilot lines. Stakeholders such as industries, ETP representatives, regional and national clusters were involved in a holistic way to contribute in the roadmapping, networking and exploitation activities.
Information on dissemination and exploitation activities is detailed in the following paragraphs.

2.4.1 WP4 Exploitation, Networking and Dissemination (M01 – M24)
Objective + (Status) + (Associated Activities)

- To disseminate knowledge derived from the project beyond the consortium, raising awareness of nanotechnology between industry, RTDs, public administration and general society. (Completed) (Tasks 4.1 M1 – M24, Task4.2 M3 – M24 and Task 4.3 M1- M24)
- To strength the VALUE4NANO network technologically, geographically and horizontally. (Completed) (Task 4.2 M3 – M24 and Task 4.3 M1 – M24)
- To promote cooperation and exploitation trough identification and cross-linking of technology offers and industrial needs. (Completed) (Task 4.4 M4 – M24)

2.4.1.1 Task 4.1 Dissemination and Communication activities - Deliverables D4.1 D4.4
The main purpose of the dissemination and communication activities was to ensure that the project outcomes were efficiently disseminated to all stakeholders without exclusion. In this sense, a dissemination strategy based on a multi-channel approach was already designed at the beginning of the project. Performed activities are detailed below:
• Development of Value4Nano project website: with more than 1.700 visits, the website public area contains general information, announcement of events and calls and relevant documentation, and it was also the main channel to get feedback from collaborators. Moreover, also the NANOfutures website, with more than 3,000 visitor per year, was continuously updated with the info coming from this project, as the point of reference for nano stakeholders.
• Participation in relevant events such as conferences, workshops, exhibitions, meetings, etc., where Value4Nano project was presented.
• Content update and enhance of social-media presence of both Value4Nano and NANOfutures:
o Twitter: more than 1,000 followers. Within this channel, information on events organized during the project and calls for collaboration were distributed.
o LinkedIn group: more than 800 members. Within NANOfutures group in Linkedin, information on Value4Nano project such as events to be held, reports or calls for collaboration was shared.
Others: Different interactive channels were used to disseminate the project outcomes, e.g. Nanopaprika network (8,296 members), NanoMicro Group in Xing (2,856 members) and SafeNano network (1,300 members)
• Preparation and distribution of dissemination material:
o Value4Nano promotional leaflet
▪ Approx. 800 attendees to 15 different events
▪ Visitors of Value4Nano and NANOfutures websites (4,700 approx)
▪ Followers in social media channels (14,000 approx)
▪ Consortium members and NANOfutures stakeholders (65 approx.)
o NANOfutures promotional leaflet
▪ Approx. 150 attendees to 2 different events
▪ Visitors of Value4Nano and NANOfutures websites (4,700 approx)
▪ Followers in social media channels (12,700 approx)
▪ Consortium members and NANOfutures stakeholders (65 approx.)
o NANOfutures promotional video
▪ Visitors of Value4Nano and NANOfutures websites (4,700 approx)
▪ Followers in social media channels (12,700 approx)
▪ Consortium members and NANOfutures stakeholders (65 approx.)
o Oriented oral communications
▪ Approx. 1,000 attendees to 10 different events
o 3 Electronic newsletters
▪ Visitors of Value4Nano and NANOfutures websites (4,700 approx)
▪ Followers in social media channels (12,700 approx)
▪ Consortium members and NANOfutures stakeholders (65 approx.)

2.4.1.2 Task 4.2 Horizontal Working Groups
NANOfutures platform Working Groups (WG) covering horizontal aspects (communication, industrialisation & nano-manufacturing, networking, regulation, research & technology, safety, skills & education, standardisation, technology transfer and innovation financing) were involved in Value4Nano project by keeping them informed about project goals, events and calls, and relevant documentation, such as reports and market analysis.
Also, WG chairs and co-chairs were asked to provide their input to the gap analysis of each of the four VC, specifically in horizontal issues (safety, education, communication, standardisation, environment, regulation...) and some of the Working Groups members participated in the Value Chain groups as experts. Their contributions were included in D2.4 Value Chain gap analysis, including preliminary list of needed pilot lines, released in M12.
A face-to-face meeting between WG members and the other key experts groups involved in the project was held in M7, in order to coordinate all the activities and get inputs on the specific aims addressed by each of these groups. A second meeting was held on M13, in correspondence with the mid-term project meeting.

2.4.1.3 Task 4.3 International, European and regional networking
Connections and alignment with international, national and regional nanotechnology policies and initiatives were crucial for Value4Nano project development and objectives achievement. In this sense, the following networking activities were performed during whole project:

- Expand the local connections network (NANOfutures lighthouses): At the beginning of the project, the network involved 11 countries. During Value4Nano project, 15 more countries have joined the network, making a total of 26 representatives in Europe, Latin America and Asia.
Details on the contacts of this network can be found on Platform web on:
http://www.nanofutures.eu/structure

- Contact with relevant entities: As it was planned in the DoW, bridges to other key EU stakeholders, in particular those linked to general society, consumers, trade unions and governments, were built. A brief description of all the entities which were contacted, together with a summary of the activities performed, can be found in D4.3 Report on relevant organizations contacted. Among these contacts, the following can be highlighted:
o CEN CENELEC: Andrea Gulacsi (Research Integration Unit Manager) and Luc Van Den Berghe (Programme Manager)
o COST – European Cooperation in Science and Technology: Maria Moragues (Science Officer Materials, Physics and Nanosciences)
o CRITT MDA: Jean-Marc Popot (General Director)
o Czech Nanotechnology Industries Association: Jiri Fusek (Secretary)
o Energy Materials Industrial Research Initiative (EMIRI): Fabrice Stassin (Managing Director)
o European Ceramic Competitiveness Cluster: Claude Lory (Director)
o European Consumer Organisation (BEUC): Sylvia Maurer (Head of Sustainability and Safety)
o European Defence Agency (EDA): Patricia López (Project Officer Materials & Structures)
o European Regions Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN): Richard Tuffs (Director) and Andrea Lagundzija (Project Manager)
o European Trade Union Institute (ETUI): Doreen Fedrigo (Senior policy analyst)
o Food for Life European Technology Platform: Rebeca Fernández (Secretariat) and Beate Kettlitz (FoodDrinkEurope Director)
o INCOMERA: Julie James (Project coordinator)
o KETs Observatory: Els Van de Velde (Project manager)
o Microtechnologies Competitiveness Cluster: Anne Marie Vieux (Policy officer)
o NanoNextNL: Leon H. Gielgens
o Norwegian Institute for Consumer Research (SIFO): Harald Throne-Holst and Pal Strandbakken
o OECD Working Party on Nanotechnology (WPN): Geroen Zwaenenpoel (Belgian representative), Dag Hovik (Norwegian representative), Chris Cannizzaro (USA representative), Joseph Molapisi (South African representative), Daniel Lupi (Argentinian representative) and Luis Melo (Portuguese representative).
o Plastipolis: Patrick Vuillermoz (Director)
o PROsumer ETP: Aldo Torre and Emanuele Carpanzano
o Spanish Center for Industrial Technology Development (CDTI): Serafín de la Concha (EU Programmes) and Lucía Íñigo (NMP Spanish representative)
o Spanish Consumers and Users Confederation (CECU): Conchy Martin (director of International Affairs)
o Spanish Consumers and Users Organisation (OCU): David Ortega (Director of European and International Affairs)
o Spanish Trade Union Comisiones Obreras (CCOO): Loly Fernández Caró (Responsible for occupational health)
o TENERRDIS: Céline Fallot-Buclet (Policy officer)
o Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF): Marie Kranendonk (Honorary President, Advisor on environment & health policy issues)
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- Collaboration with other initiatives/projects: In order to reinforce the relations beyond nanotechnology, other initiatives and projects from nano and other KETs were involved in Value4Nano (RO-CKETs, NANORA, Nanoreg, NanoDiode,mKETs, NANOEIS, EU-Great!, MATCH, NANOLEAP, NMP De-LA and EU KNIGHTS). Detailed information about these initiatives and projects, KETs involved and actions performed is available at D4.3 Report on relevant organizations contacted.

2.4.1.4 Task 4.4 Exploitation activities
Consortium members exploited project results in terms of networking with other key organisations within KETs domain and in an international environment, in order to allow them to strategically channel their future R&D&I activities, based on the time of performance, TRLs and other specific indicators that were defined and analysed in Value4Nano implementation plan.

List of Websites:
Dr. Eng. Margherita Cioffi – D’Appolonia S.p.A.

Tel: (+39) 06 59450300
Fax: (+39) 06 59450399

E-mail: margherita.cioffi@dappolonia.it

Value4Nano website: www.value4nano.eu