Accessibility tools
Service tools
Language selector
Navigation path
Green technology and eco-innovative solutions are vital to the EU's future sustainability and competitiveness. The European Commission has launched a €35-million call for project proposals under its eco-innovation scheme, which aims to transform environmental challenges into new business opportunities.
Eco-innovation is all about creative ideas which show that environmental protection and competitive growth can go hand in hand. Entrepreneurial talent can, in fact, be used to stimulate innovation that is good for the economy and good for Europe's ecological footprint.
The EU's Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP) provides support for eco-innovation, thus making a significant contribution to the Environmental Technologies Action Plan (ETAP). This year's call was launched at the CIP Eco-Innovation Info Day. It concerns market replication projects, and is addressed mainly to small and medium-sized enterprises that have developed an environmental product, service, management practice or process which has a proven track record, yet is not fully marketed due to residual risks.
Through this latest call, funds will be made available for projects in the following areas, with particular emphasis on resource efficiency:
The European Commission is particularly keen to hear from small businesses that are developing green products or services that need a financial boost to get into the marketplace. Up to 50 projects are likely to be selected for funding through this call, covering up to 50% of project costs.
Projects that make it through the selection process must show an innovative approach and provide an end-product that has the potential for market replication. They must be in tune with Europe's environmental policies, especially in terms of the efficient use of resources.
The CIP's eco-innovation initiative runs from 2008 to 2013, with a total budget of about €200 million. Previous calls have proven to be hugely popular. This summer, nearly 100 projects will be running with interesting perspectives, receiving a total of around €60 million from the European Union (see boxes for examples). In addition, selected entries will mobilise about the same amount in funding from the private and public sector bodies that are involved in project consortia.
The previous calls succeeded in attracting the main target group, SMEs, who submitted 70% of applications. The most popular areas for submission were recycling followed by green business.
The 2009 call saw a 50% increase in applications compared to the previous year, attracting submissions from 614 organisations in 32 countries. Spain, Italy and Germany delivered the most proposals, although new entries also came in from Iceland, Serbia and Albania.
The projects finally selected for funding from the 2009 call reveal the broad scope of EU support for eco-innovation. For example, one consortium will use their funding to develop a new type of milk bottle made from a mixture of recycled paper and plastic, while another project aims to use laser technology for fruit labelling which will replace conventional paper labels.
As well as being the 'green' strand of CIP, eco-innovation will make an active contribution to the EU's new strategy for economic growth. Europe 2020 sets out to build an economic future based on smart growth - which is about nurturing knowledge and innovation - while stimulating green growth to promote a competitive, low-carbon economy that uses resources efficiently.
The 2010 call will close on 9 September 2010 at 17:00 (Brussels local time) and the application pack is available at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eco-innovation/application_en.htm
Funding for the eco-innovation scheme is managed by the Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (EACI).
The NUMIX project aims to recycle plastics for use in the construction industry. To do so the project is harnessing innovative industrial processes to treat scrap produced through the sorting of recyclable plastics, which is then transformed into aggregate for lightened concrete and mortar.
The NUMIX team looks into developing two products - expanded granules and flakes. A plant for producing flakes is already up and running, and concrete producers are showing a great deal of interest in the product.
The project tackles two pressing issues at the same time: global demand of concrete is steadily on the increase, so a reliable and more eco-friendly alternative is very appealing; plus NUMIX offers a great way to use the large amounts of plastic waste produced in the EU every year.
About five litres of water are used to produce one litre of wine. Vineyards also use chemicals to keep pests and fungus away from the grapes. This project aims to tackle both these issues by bringing two eco-innovative technologies to market in the form of a new filtration system and a new product recovery system.
To complement the technical work, the consortium is also developing an innovative methodology for environmental and quality management.
Project demonstration takes place in five wine-producing countries. The goal is to reduce the use of pesticides and fungicides by 20% and cut water usage by 30%. In addition, the project aims to recycle 10% more waste and to treat 10% more effluent.
The project's resource-saving techniques have the potential to make 56 000 wine producers more competitive - and greener.
European brands account for at least 70 % of the global high-end goods market. And while high-end products are usually associated with fashion, the sector consists of a wide range of products and services: cars, yachts, furniture, wines, spirits and more. The European Commission is committed to ensuring Europe’s high-end sector continues to thrive. Full story
An international communication campaign is currently highlighting the diverse cultural heritage and natural beauty that Europe has to offer at any time of the year. The ‘Europe – Whenever you’re ready’ campaign, which will run from the end of 2012 until December 2013, reminds tourists to discover the old continent and enjoy the travel experience of a lifetime. Full story
By finding common ground and shared incentives, the European Commission and China are working together to improve industrial efficiency. Having already agreed on numerous cooperation themes, this collaboration will increase market access and decrease greenhouse gases. Full story
Despite the ongoing effects of the global economic crisis, European Union Member States have made good progress towards strengthening the sustainability and competitiveness of their industrial sectors. That said, there is still work to be done. And in an effort to facilitate reform and policy learning, the European Commission has released a new Industrial Performance Scoreboard. Full story
Despite the rise of developing industrial powers, the European Union remains the world’s biggest exporter, as well as the No. 1 target for foreign direct investment. The European Commission’s annual ‘European Competitiveness Report’ details how the EU has stayed on top and what the Commission is doing to make sure it stays there. Full story
By 2020, it is estimated that the Ecodesign Directive will save 400 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions within the EU – this is comparable to the Emissions Trading Scheme's (ETS) anticipated contribution to carbon dioxide reductions in 2020. In addition to the 13 existing and 20 forthcoming ecodesign measures for products, over the next two years the European Commission will adopt measures for Business to Business (B2B) products, such as professional refrigeration, electricity transformers, industrial furnaces and ovens, and air-conditioning and ventilation. There are also plans to include ‘energy-related’ products in the ecodesign strategy: products which do not directly use energy themselves, but promote energy saving. Full story
Tourism has a huge impact on the EU economy affecting up to 14 million jobs. A 2012 survey offers an interesting insight into the preferences of European tourists and shows that 73% of the EU respondents plan to travel this year. Full story
The Sustainable Industry Low Carbon Initiative, or SILC, helps European energy-intensive manufacturing industries fuse economic and environmental goals by capitalising on greenhouse gas emission efficiency. As an EU grant scheme, SILC promotes the development of innovative measures to reduce carbon intensity and to create new markets and jobs. The objective is to ensure Europe’s industrial competitiveness whilst combating climate change. Full story
Socially responsible businesses play a crucial role in achieving sustainable economic growth through generating consumer confidence and positively contributing towards society’s well-being. Supporting responsible entrepreneurship is an EU priority, as a recently adopted package of measures demonstrates. Full story
By rewarding tourist areas which pursue a sustainable development path, the EDEN initiative boosts awareness of Europe's touristic diversity and quality, and helps to spread good practices. The 2011 edition focused on the regeneration of physical sites which were converted into tourism attractions and catalysts for wider local regeneration: join us for a tour of excellence. Full story
Europe needs more growth and jobs but these cannot come at the expense of the environment. That is why an effective industrial policy needs to embrace resource efficiency. Two recent studies provide a valuable insight into the progress that has been made in Europe, and the opportunities that exist for future sustainable growth and job creation. Full story
Natural resources are vital for our economy and for sustaining our quality of life, but there is growing recognition that our current pattern of consumption is unsustainable. The European Union has responded with a number of initiatives to ensure that European business leads the way towards a more resource efficient future and the topic is high on the political agenda. An interesting example is provided by the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP), which finances several projects in this field, thus showing the variety of challenges that can be met by improving the use of resources. Full story
Medieval alchemists sought to turn copper into gold. Even though modern-day chemists focus their research on different objectives, the compounds and materials they produce are truly awe-inspiring and are the bedrock upon which one of Europe’s most important, innovative and competitive industries is built. As the sector is now facing the realities of a new decade, the European Commission has taken initiatives to encourage all involved actors to join forces to boost the competitiveness of the European chemicals industry and to fully use its potential to resolve the societal challenges identified in the Europe 2020 strategy. Full story
European space policy is at a turning point, with the Lisbon Treaty providing a new legal basis for action in this domain. Following a high-level conference in October, E&I magazine takes a tour of European space initiatives, a source of inspiration and innovation, and a powerful means of stimulating growth and improving the quality of people's lives. Full story
'Social tourism' may not be a concept that all Europeans are familiar with yet. But it is already a growing phenomenon, which the European Commission has been promoting for both its social and economic benefits. Now the EU is investing in new projects to develop cross-border low-season tourism opportunities. The Calypso initiative aims to open up new horizons for younger and older travellers, disabled people and low-income families, while creating new jobs and business opportunities during quieter times of the year. Full story
Europe is the world's top tourist destination. In order to maintain this lead amid changing global circumstances, the European Commission has released a policy strategy which signposts 21 actions on the path to a more competitive and sustainable 21st-century European tourism sector. Full story
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is good for society, the environment and business. That is why the European Commission is working to promote it in various industrial sectors. Full story
Green technology and eco-innovative solutions are vital to the EU's future sustainability and competitiveness. The European Commission has launched a €35-million call for project proposals under its eco-innovation scheme, which aims to transform environmental challenges into new business opportunities. Full story
E&I magazine meets Antonio Tajani, the EU's new Industry and Entrepreneurship Commissioner, and finds out about his priorities for his term in office, his ambition to marry industry with the environment, and how he intends to use his portfolio to help the European economy to be smart, green and inclusive. Full story
The adoption of the revised Ecodesign Directive makes it possible to set requirements on all products which affect energy consumption during use, not just those which consume energy directly. Its implementation will ensure Europe continues to lead the world in improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, providing a more sustainable future for industry and citizens alike. Full story
The text only of the articles can be republished as long as the source of the article is quoted: Enterprise & Industry magazine (http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/magazine/index_en.htm), © European Union, 2008 - 2012
Facebook
Twitter