An ecosystems approach to industrial resilience 10 July 2020

15 July 2020

In March 2020, the European Commission outlined the actions required to lead the twin digital and green transitions with a focus on industrial ecosystems. These ecosystems will be a crucial element in Europe’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Commission has put forward a draft list of 14 ecosystems, and further discussions will now take place to prioritise the details, in consultation with industry and policymakers.

Orgalim welcomed the publication of the EU’s industrial strategy, and on 10 July hosted a roundtable on the proposed ecosystems with a focus on three main topics: what are the role and goals of the ecosystems, how the funding objectives will be ensured in practice, and how the governance of the ecosystems will be formulated and enforced.

Moderated by Christoph Luykx, Orgalim Policy Director, the webinar was kicked off by Rada Rodriguez, Orgalim President and Senior Vice President, Schneider Electric, who outlined the importance of advanced manufacturing as a core driver of Europe’s competitiveness and industrial resilience.

Rodriguez pointed out the vertical nature of the current ecosystems and made a call for an additional transversal ecosystem on advanced manufacturing.

Brigitte Irsfeld and Carsten Schierenbeck, Councellors for Economic Affairs at the Permanent Representation of Germany to the EU, explained that ecosystems and value chains/value creation networks will be core to the German presidency programme. Whilst it is too early to draw any conclusions, they underlined the importance of a strong governance on ecosystems, including a horizontal approach that connects individual ecosystems.

See the recording

Kamil Kiljanski, Acting Director Competitiveness and Outreach, DG GROW, European Commission, focused on the economic aspects of ecosystems with particular reference to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the priorities for the value chains to be agreed through a dialogue with all parties concerned.

In her opening remarks, MEP Susana Solís Pérez (ES/Renew Europe) also highlighted the need for cooperation between industry and policymakers, and specifically called for targeted funding to maintain Europe’s competitiveness advantage.

Throughout the webinar, attendees were able to express their views through polls and had the opportunity to raise questions to the panelists. Many of these called for the expansion of the proposed ecosystems, and more clarity on national and European level funding. A copy of the recording, including the results of the different polls, is available here.

Luykx closed the session by inviting attendees to book their diaries for Orgalim’s next roundtable ‘A Circular Economy supporting Europe’s Green Deal climate ambition’ that will take place on 15 October.

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