| Project number: | 287637 |
| Project title: | Action to Support Photonic Innovation Clusters in Europe |
| Project acronym: | ASPICE |
| Call (part) identifier: | FP7-ICT-2011-7 |
| Funding scheme: | Coordination and support action |
| Start Date: | 01/09/2011 |
| Duration: | 3 years |
Photonics, the science and technology of harnessing light, is a
Key Enabling Technology in modern industrial economies. Many
commentators regard Photonics in its impact on economies and the life of the
citizen as analogous to that of electronics in the 20th century. Photonics is
thriving in Europe and today there are more than 5,000 photonics companies,
mostly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), directly employing about 300,000
people. The world market for photonics products reached €270 billion in 2008 of
which €55 billion was produced in Europe, a growth of 30% since 2005. In
September 2009 the European Commission designated photonics as one of five
Key Enabling Technologies for future prosperity. This signifies not only the
economic importance of photonics but its potential to address the “grand
challenges” facing global society to day. The European photonics landscape is
also characterised by the presence of high-level research groups in public
Research Centres and Universities which give Europe a strong innovation capacity
in Photonics. In summary Europe has a strong photonics sector, supported by a
competitive industry and research of high scientific excellence.
In parallel with this expansion,
Photonic Clusters
have emerged so that today we have in excess of 40 Photonic Innovation
Clusters across Europe. Many of these Clusters have initially focused correctly
on their indigenous growth but to achieve long term growth there must be a
greater focus on cluster collaboration in Europe, particularly across
value/supply chains where Photonics is a key driver.
The need for on-going international cooperation among
Photonic Clusters is pivotal in increasing their overall effectiveness in
promoting research and innovation, strengthening the European economy and
addressing societal challenges. ASPICE seeks to succeed in this goal by
achieving specific objectives including the development of a reference guide of
good practices, profiling of the value/supply chains in specific highly
innovative domains, and supporting cooperation and collaboration between
relevant stakeholders. Particular emphasis will be given in profiling and
leveraging the value/supply chains in two societal challenges where photonics
technology will be a key solution provider, namely ‘Healthcare in an Aging
Society’ and ‘Safety and security for Europe’s citizens’. Furthermore, ASPICE
will actively engage cluster and platform representatives and other relevant
stakeholders to ensure the ‘translation’ of the reference guide and the
value/supply chain profiles into actionable plans for embedding the more
suitable practices into the programmes of Europe’s Photonic Clusters.