Managing textiles research
The textile industry is big business and Europe could be a larger player in this international market. Doing so requires ongoing investment in research and development, and a way of practically focusing existing European support initiatives. Such was the goal of the EU-funded project 'Textile at the cross roads of new applications' (CROSSTEXNET). Consisting of 17 members, the consortium ran from November 2009 to April 2013. The objective was to handle inter-regional calls for research proposals concerning textiles, particularly those affecting societal challenges. During the period 2010 to 2013, the project published four calls, along with related supplementary leaflets and detailed documents. At various events, project members distributed summaries of the research and commercial expectations. All activities were summarised and published in a report. Furthermore, the consortium conducted strategic surveys, including guidelines for an ERA-NET. Additionally, the group created a road map and joint action plan, and a database of all European textile industry players. The CROSSTEXNET project organised calls for research, leading to a number of successfully funded new research activities. The team also effectively implemented European regional policies, resulting in improved European industrial competencies and policy awareness.
Keywords
Textiles, textiles research, textile industry, societal challenges
