Towards 2020 – Photonics driving economic growth in Europe

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Towards 2020 – Photonics driving economic growth in Europe
Left: Europe has an overall share
of 20% of the global photonics
market. © Fotolia
Right: The European photonics
industry currently employs about
300 000 people in Europe.
© Fotolia
to market approach needs to include the entire
value chain, from advanced research through to
technology take-up, pilot lines, and manufacturing
platforms.
Bridging the gap between excellent research results
and product development, and thus overcoming
the so-called Valley of Death, must be the key element
of a photonics strategy for future research
and innovation funding in Europe. This funding
approach should be implemented within the new
Framework Programme Horizon 2020.
Integrated approach to bridge
the Innovation Gap
The European photonics community proposes a
multiple approach for how the Valley of Death
problem can be overcome and the innovation gap
bridged. Actions are required in the following areas:
n Disruptive and roadmap-based core
photonic technologies
n Roadmap-based research with a value
chain approach
n Recognised value of potentially disruptive
innovations
n Early involvement of end-users
n Demonstration programmes
n Deployment programmes to create new jobs
in Europe
n Showcase public authorities’ commitment
to invest in photonics
n Accelerate market penetration
n Manufacturing Platforms to maintain
manufacturing in Europe
n Improve infrastructure for photonics
manufacturing
n Establish public-private pilot production
facilities for industry and research institutes
n Reinforce innovation ecosystems at local
and European levels
n Innovative Photonics SMEs
n Fast-track funding to foster prototyping &
short-term commercialisation
n Reduced administrative burden for SME
participation
n Support Actions
n Develop a highly skilled workforce
n Photonics education, training & skills
development
n Outreach activities to promote photonics
to education providers
n Standardisation