Photonics for Europe - Hoofdinhoud
Lasers used in manufacturing
The EU has billions set aside for research and innovation. The intention isn’t to subsidise industries - but to invest in an innovative, competitive and sustainable future.
The best publicly-funded research and innovation supports areas that both sustain and boost wider sectors of the economy - and also fix the problems of our society, from climate change to healthcare. And preferably it should be in areas where Europe is in the global lead - and where a little push can help us stay that way.
One of those areas is definitely photonics: the use of light, from lasers to LEDs. Because from household lighting to laser manufacturing; from communications to cancer detection - photonics matters to our society, our economy, and our people. In Europe alone, it’s an industry that directly employs nearly 300,000 (including in over 5000 small and medium-sized companies) - but has a wider impact on around 10% of all jobs in Europe.
That’s why (like, for example, electronics), it’s called an “enabling” technology: one that supports innovation in many other sectors. But more than that: it’s one where Europe is globally strong, with 20% of the world market. And I intend to keep it that way.
The Grand Place in Brussels, lit up thanks to LED technology
Horizon 2020, which should be agreed shortly, will provide significant funds for this incredible sector. But I want to make your tax money work as hard as it can. So a couple of years ago, I proposed a public-private partnership in photonics.
Today I met people from the photonics industry - and they presented me with a clear roadmap for how we can create that partnership. It’s a proposal that’s ambitious and strategic. And indeed, by combining EU money with private research & innovation funding, that proposal would make your tax money work 5 times harder.
Over 60 companies and research institutes have already signed up; and I’m looking forward to more doing so. Hopefully, we will be able to have it up and running right from the launch of Horizon 2020. It’s an investment that will pay off for Europe.