Photonics PPP launches new pilot lines
Europe’s industrial competitiveness is to receive a boost thanks to the launch of three major pilot lines dedicated to helping SMEs take photonics technologies from the lab to the market.
The new pilot lines have been launched by the Photonics Public Private Partnership (PPP) and will focus on health applications (PIX4Life), flexible organic light-emitting diodes (PI-SCALE), and sensors for the detection of chemicals in gas and liquids (MIRPHAB).
They are intended to enable thousands of high-tech SMEs in Europe – who often lack access to the advanced, cost intensive infrastructures and expertise needed to manufacture new and innovative products – to scale up, validate and commercialise their ideas, and have received €35m in funding from the European Commission as part of its €700m investment in the Photonics PPP over the course of Horizon 2020.
The PPP was launched by the Commission in December 2013 in order to solidify European leadership in photonics, a Key Enabling Technology driving innovation in areas such as communications, advanced energy efficient lighting, and the early detection of diseases.
It brings together European industry, researchers, academia and the Commission to co-operate in research and innovation in the photonics domain and define strategic roadmaps in sectors which can shape the future digital economy of the EU and revolutionise the industrial landscape.
“With these pilot lines Europe will position itself at the forefront of innovation in photonics,” said European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Günther H Oettinger.
“Our companies, and in particular the manufacturing sector, will have access to support for innovation and the facilities needed to get ahead in global markets. Photonics is a crucial component for the successful digitalisation of European industry and the economy.”
