The European NanoBusiness Association releases comprehensive study
The survey, available from the association's web site, has uncovered a number of notable findings, including: · 90% of companies believe that nanotechnologies will have an influence on their business, and 58% think this will happen within three years · 77% believe that nanotechnologies will have a significant effect on their competitiveness · 23% believe that the main hurdle in development of nanotechnologies is insufficient government funding while 21% see the main hurdle in the lack of defined markets · 16% see lack of trained personnel as an issue with 62% finding it difficult to find personnel with the right skills · 75% say that negative public reactions to nanotechnologies will not affect their industrial use · 62% say that it will change the way they market nanotechnology-based products. · Regulation will have a major impact on business and industry therefore it requires clarification as soon as possible., ,The ENA concludes, "The twin issues of the skills shortage and lack of clarity over regulation and negative environmental effects are combining to hold back the adoption of nanotechnologies in Europe. While the skills shortage must be addressed by national governments, issues concerning regulation, toxicology and liability must be addressed in a coordinated manner at a European level to remove these potential roadblocks., ,Executive Director Tim Harper commented "while a lot of decisions on the future of nanotechnologies are now being considered at a governmental level, the annual ENA survey provides feedback from the sector that matters, industry. It is essential that governments take into account the views of industry when setting policy, and the ENA exists to make sure that this happens., ,For more information or to download the full survey results visit http://www.nanoeurope.org(öffnet in neuem Fenster) or contact Tim Harper on +34 91 640 74 40About the European NanoBusiness Association, The ENA is a Brussels based non-profit organisation formed in 2002 to ensure that Europe has a dynamic and competitive nanotechnology based industry. The aims of the association are to: ? Discuss and promote the development industry based nanotechnologies ? Identify and address continent wide issues holding back the adoption of nanotechnologies ? Identify and promote nanotechnologies which have an impact ion European competitiveness ? Connect its members with the local and global nanotechnology community ? Monitor and benchmark Europe's competitive position in relation to the building and commercialisation of nanotechnologies