The Role of the Textile ETP as Enabler of Industrial Innovation

Lutz Walter

Secretary of the Governing Council EESC Hearing, Brussels, 04/05/2012

EU Textiles today

Industry key figures 2011:

€ 179 billion annual turnover

1.85 million employees

147,000 companies (99% SME’s)

EU industry competing on the basis of: •high value added/high quality products

•niche market strategies

•rapid market reaction

• sustainability in operations

(by fibre usage)

Textile ETP Mission & Objectives

Industry-led initiative launched in 2004

• Mission:

Ensure long-term competitiveness EU Textile & Clothing Industry through collaborative, market-oriented research & innovation

• Key-objectives: – Establishment effective EU-wide expert network

– Development Strategic Research Agenda (SRA)

– Implementing the SRA (e.g. Projects, Financing)

– Bringing results to the industry

– Promoting a positive, innovative industry image

Societal Challenges – Textile Solutions

Innovative

Textiles

Health

Transport

Food,

Water

Safety

Climate

Change

Energy

Textile Materials & Technologies as Innovation Enablers in other Industries

Alternative Materials

• Light-weight, flexible, soft, (multi)functional, durable, energy-efficient in production, transport & use

New Technologies

• Flexible, continuous, versatile, energy & material efficient manufacturing processes

Functional Components

• Reliable, multi-functional, cost-effective, user-friendly parts of larger technology systems & solutions

Textile Materials & Technologies as Innovation Enablers in other Industries

Alternative Materials

• Light-weight, flexible, soft, (multi)functional, durable, energy-efficient in production, transport & use

New Technologies

• Flexible, continuous, versatile, energy & material efficient manufacturing processes

Functional Components

• Reliable, multi-functional, cost-effective, user-friendly parts of larger technology systems & solutions

Innovative Textile Materials & Technologies are at the origin of many,

many innovations in virtually every sector and large end market.

But they are usually at the early stages of value chains with limited control of end

market developments. Collaboration with value chain partners & end users is

therefore the key for success.

Continuous Innovation in Textiles and Fashion

Technology Transfer

• Eco-innovation & resource efficiency, recycling

• Customer & market driven cross-sectoral innovation

Design & Creativity

• Non-technological innovation / user-driven and social innovation

New Business Models

• Customisation & personalisation (for individuals, specific customer groups & new markets)

• Value chain management, logistics, value-added services, IT adoption

Continuous Innovation in Textiles and Fashion

Technology Transfer

• Eco-innovation & resource efficiency, recycling

• Customer & market driven cross-sectoral innovation

Design & Creativity

• Non-technological innovation / user-driven and social innovation

New Business Models

• Customisation & personalisation (for individuals, specific customer groups & new markets)

• Value chain management, logistics, value-added services, IT adoption

SME’s in the textile and fashion business constantly invest in innovative products, processes, services and business models

to always stay one step ahead of competition. In this process they apply

new technologies, knowledge & creativity. This can be as risky and

rewarding as technical R&D and merits public support.

ETP Collaborations in Societal Challenges & Enabling Technologies

Manufacturing technologies - Factories of the Future PPP

Advanced Materials – Alliance4Materials Initiative

European Consumer Goods Research Initiative

Building UP - Energy-efficient buildings PPP

Nanotechnology – NanoFutures Initiative

Water – European Innovation Partnership on Water (under preparation)

On-going Textile ETP Activities

Continue to monitor and shape EU research & innovation policies and programmes with relevance to the T/C sector

Provide T/C industry & research community with operational support to make most of existing EU funding & networking opportunities

Initiate, drive & implement major European-scale research & innovation actions – along value chains, across ETPs

Ensure optimal results transfer to industry

Carry out image-improving actions

How can ETP support implementation of EU Research

& Innovation Policies ?

Key issues

ETPs as sounding board for policy making

Enabler of cross-sectoral & value chain oriented initiatives at EU level

Industry/SME involvement & commitment

Research results transfer to industry/market

Impact on national/regional level (ERA-Nets, Clusters, Smart Specialisation…)

ETP’s should be the sectoral or technological grounding pillars upon which to build many cross-sectoral & value-

chain driven European research & innovation actions

Visit

www.textile-platform.eu

for additional information or

contact:

Lutz Walter Euratex

Tel.: +32-2-285.48.85 E-mail: lutz.walter@euratex.eu

Contact