SusChem publishes new strategic agenda

The European Technology Platform (ETP) for Sustainable Chemistry (SusChem) has published a new Strategic Innovation and Research Agenda (SIRA) highlighting the potential for sustainable chemistry technologies to tackle societal challenges, as set out in Horizon 2020.

The new SIRA, which outlines the innovation priorities of the ETP for the short and medium term, also sets out the role of the chemical industry in boosting innovation in Europe. The plan introduces major changes from the past SusChem Strategic Research Agenda by addressing new topics such as ICT and manufacturing, the value chain impact, mobility and health. It also outlines the crucial links between SusChem’s priorities and the Key Enabling Technologies that Europe has been pushing forward.

Commenting, Dr Klaus Sommer, chairman of the SusChem board, said: “Everything we do should be focused on ultimately improving societal conditions, in particular, with respect to sustainability – working for ‘People, Planet and Profit’. Our work will be fully justified if we can simultaneously create jobs, improve the environment and generate greater economic success and wellbeing.”

“In this spirit, the new SIRA is a great opportunity for SusChem and sustainable chemistry research and innovation across Europe. The SIRA will add value to the societal, scientific and industrial debate and help us to focus on the real challenges we face.”

The SIRA is organised around five of the seven Societal Challenges in Horizon 2020 and highlights a portfolio of potential sustainable chemistry solutions; the challenges are ‘Climate action’, ‘Bioeconomy’, ‘Energy’, ‘Health’ and ‘Transport’. Two further SIRA chapters cover ICT and Horizontal Issues, illustrating SusChem’s ambitions to build skills capacity, better assess sustainability in manufacturing, address issues of societal uptake of technologies, and promote innovative business models.

The SIRA has been presented to European Commission officials and will form part of the input to future calls under Horizon 2020. The next steps and the implementation of the SIRA will be discussed at the next SusChem Stakeholder event to be held on 8-9 June 2015.