Media briefing: Clean, safe and competitive: EU research delivers cutting-edge solutions for cleaner, more efficient and eco-friendly industrial processes

Invitation to a special media briefing on Tuesday 16 July 2002, 9:30 to 17.30 at the European Commission, Centre Borschette, Brussels and Scoribel SA at Feluy/Seneffe (Belgium)

Ten years after the Rio Summit and a few weeks away from the Johannesburg Summit on Sustainable Development, the key question remains as to how to favour economic growth while preserving the environment, health and security? Clean technologies a key priority of EU Research - provide innovative answers. They drive new forms of industrial organisation, foster new production and consumption processes, and revolutionise design and lifecycle of products.
To illustrate the promises and current deliverables of clean technologies, the European Commission will organise on 16th July a special media briefing on what is undoubtedly one of the hottest issues in research and innovation today. Central to many companies strategies, clean technologies also occupy a pivotal role in European research. They are at the crossroads of two key priorities of the recently adopted 6th Framework Programme for Research - new production processes and devices, new materials, nanotechnologies (priority 3) and sustainable technologies, global change and ecosystems (priority 6). A total of EUR 3.42 billion over the next four years will be devoted to these two priorities, with a key role for clean technologies.
Clean technologies and recycling processes deliver substantial cost-savings, lead to greater efficiency, and foster flexibility in industrial processes. As such, they generate direct positive returns for companies, while creating wider benefits for society. Clean technologies make traditional industries more competitive, but also create whole new sectors of high value-added activities. In Europe alone, the clean technologies industry providers of de-pollution technologies, active recycling and valorisation of waste represents a turnover of EUR 180 billion, with 10% growth per annum, and already generates 500.000 jobs in Europe.
This special media briefing will address issues such as a) innovative approaches to the design of products and processes; b) management of the life cycle; c) co-processing; and d) new recycling and valorisation of waste. These incorporate environmental factors at early stages of decision-making regarding the design of processes and products, with life-cycle analysis and environmental auditing increasingly seen as essential tools in overall business planning.
The programme includes and overview of EU policies and industry-led initiatives. Inputs from leading personalities - including Philippe Busquin EU Commissioner for Research, Alexander De Roo MEP, and Ezio Andreta, Director at DG Research - are foreseen.
The briefing and technical visit will focus on key issues such as:
- What is sustainable industrial production?,- What are the latest trends in clean technologies, waste valorisation processes?,- What are the emerging opportunities,- What are the new market dynamics and the new market opportunities?,- What are the impacts of clean technologies on existing and emerging sectors?,- What are the business opportunities and challenges - notably in terms of financing, as well as organisation and management, at EU and international levels?,- What are the potential social and societal impacts for citizens?,- What are the emerging challenges in terms of skills and training?
The media programme includes dedicated press briefings and interview possibilities. Participating journalists will have the opportunity to listen to, and interact with, top specialists from both the Commission and industry. They will be able to interview Commissioner Busquin and all speakers on the programme.
An informal press lunch will allow for further dialogue.
Presentations will cover projects as diverse as:
- Towards Zero Waste (TOZELIWA) is a project that aims to resolve the treatment of liquid industrial waste, one of the most dangerous and toxic pollution in Europe, by pioneering new clean technologies.,- PROGRES is a network focussing on solutions to the disposal of the some 60 million tons of flying ash produced by power plants each year. A detailed study is underway. Based on its conclusions, a White Paper suggesting ways forward will be produced. ,- ECOLIFE is a prime example of how recycling thinking can be integrated into a product at the time of its design, with the aim of reducing electronic waste. The European Commission is currently preparing a Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), to tackle the growing quantity of electrical and electronic equipment and complements being disposed. Under this plan, producers will be made responsible for the collection and recycling of goods sold.
A tailor-made visit to a laboratory and production facility is also being organised for participating journalists. This visit to the premises of Scoribel (Holcim Group), a Belgian-based world leader in the recycling of industrial waste and pioneer of the new approach of co-processing, will provide a hands-on opportunity to view the modern factory. With a turnover of EUR 15 million, Scoribel specialises in transforming products such as sawdust, solvents, oils, plastics, textiles, paper, waste water etc, into fuels for the cement industry.
Detailed Programme (SEE ANNEX)
For further logistical information and facilitation of interviews, please contact:,Patrick Vittet-Philippe ,Press and Information Officer, DG Research, European Commission,Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [e-mail]
To participate at this special media briefing, please register with: ,Ana Aguilar Morell at Hill and Knowlton ,Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Mobile: [phone] ,E-mail: [e-mail],Website and Internet Press Room: background information on EU policies and projects in the field of clean technologies is available on-line at
http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/press/2002/in2806en.html

Pays

Belgium