First ever initiative to bring together the whole materials community in Europe A new partnership and networking initiative for materials research and innovation is taking shape this week, as the MatVal project is being launched on 7-8 February in Rome. The launch event, which gathers high-level policymakers, R&D experts, material developers, suppliers and end users from across Europe, is a top opportunity to address major sectors such as energy, transport, health and construction. Research & Innovation in materials is no longer an insulate company matter. In 2010, a group of European Technology Platforms (EuMaT, Textiles and Clothing, Sustainable Chemistry, Manufuture, Advanced Engineering Materials and Technologies, Steel Technology and Sustainable Mineral Resources) have joined forces to link their strong materials research agendas and coordinate their activities in this area – an unprecedented move to improve the way materials innovations are being developed in Europe. The Alliance for Materials (A4M) was created. With MatVal, an EU-funded project started in 2012, A4M enters its implementation phase by creating the conditions for a significant enlargement of the network to include all sectors active along the value chains. It will bring together the relevant stakeholders from the European materials community - for a real integration of voices and visions. “Europe is now equipped with a multi-stakeholder forum to develop and share a single view on materials needs”, says Dr Marco Falzetti, A4M chairman and MatVal coordinator. Our objective is to speed up the implementation of material innovations towards the end-user market applications.” As advanced materials will play a significant part in the development of future goods and services, MatVal ensures that key materials innovations are identified, supported and delivered to the market in a timely manner. “A4M is a new way of thinking”, Dr Falzetti continues. “This launch event marks major strides towards an integrated materials agenda in Europe”. Countries Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Spain, Finland, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia, United Kingdom
