Towards 2020 – Photonics driving economic growth in Europe

10 Towards 2020 – Photonics driving economic growth in Europe
Photonics has a critical role
to play in addressing
key societal challenges.
development through, for example, establishment
of open innovation models along the
value chain. This would allow SMEs to operate
within a streamlined, more market-oriented
set of rules, allowing prototype development
for shorter-term commercialisation, rather than
being limited only to precompetitive R&D.
n Strengthening Photonics Foundations
The actions of the Photonics PPP will be accompanied
by measures on education, training and
skills development, as well as standardization,
international cooperation & outreach. Both industry
and academic partners of the PPP will
undertake these actions to secure the future
work force for this growing industry.
The PPP will work towards the establishment of a
dedicated European industrial growth fund, leveraging
existing investments in photonics innovation
through to commercialisation.
Photonics for the Societal Challenges
Photonics has a critical role to play in addressing
several key challenges identified by the Europe
2020 strategy.
n In healthcare, demographic change & wellbeing
photonics will provide new ways of
detec ting, treating and even preventing major
diseases at the earliest possible stage, improving
patient survivability and drastically reducing care
costs.
All activities will be accompanied by measures to
better attract sufficient capital and management
support for seeding and growing innovative business
ideas.
n In climate action, resource efficiency & raw
materials, new laser-based photonic manufacturing
technologies will stimulate new manufacturing
processes with extraordinary quality
Creating new business
opportunities is key to growth
in Europe. © Fotolia