Catalysis is a key technology for Europe. The production of 80% of industrially relevant chemicals involves catalysis, which accounts for about 20-30% of the World Gross Domestic Product. Therefore, catalysis lies at the heart of our chemical industry. Molecular catalysis is more efficient and selective than heterogeneous catalysis, while more robust and simpler to implement than the enzymatic approach used in biotechnologies. Major challenges for the future of mankind, where catalysis plays a determining role, are the development of “greener”, environmentally benign processes, the transition from fossil to renewable feedstocks for both energy and consumer products. Related issues are the mechanistic understanding of the catalytic processes, which is essential for optimization (greater productivity, lower energy consumption, lower waste production), and catalyst recovery (lower product contamination, preservation of low earth-abundant metal resources). Europe is a leading player in both academic catalysis research as well as in its industrial implementation, but this leadership is increasingly challenged by emerging as well as mature but still innovating economies. The aim of this ITN was to palliate research fragmentation by coordinating an innovative research programme at the European scale, on the basis of double doctoral degrees with the direct involvement of industrial partners, to train the next generation of researchers in molecular catalysis. Fifteen Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) have participated in the programme, each one working on a doctoral thesis jointly between two beneficiary research institutions in two different countries and with a secondment research period in one of the non-academic partner institutions. In addition to the project management (WP1), the action comprised four interlinked scientific work packages (WP2-5), a training work package (WP6), an outreach and public engagement work package (WP7) and an ethics work package (WP8).
