‘European investment in technological leadership is good for the Netherlands’

FME and Orgalim (the European umbrella organization for the technological industry) argue for technological leadership and competitiveness to be central in the successor to the European Horizon programme.

“The geopolitical situation requires an ambitious Framework Program 10 (FP10) and ambitious budget of 200 billion euros, in line with a broad call for this in the Netherlands and Europe,” FME said in a press release. ‘The technology industry is an indispensable link in FP10, so the budget must be better balanced and better aligned with the needs of the private sector. After all, we not only want to invent groundbreaking innovations and key technologies, but also produce them in Europe. That is in the Dutch and European interest.’

According to the trade association, European innovation cooperation brings us a lot. ‘The Netherlands is doing well in Horizon, the ambitious European R&D program that invests almost 100 billion euros in research and innovation. We earn back no less than one and a half times every euro we put into it. Companies and knowledge institutions develop the smartest innovations to make the Netherlands and Europe stronger, smarter and greener.

‘Underneath these wonderful innovations and the good figures for the Netherlands, Europe’s threatened position in the world lurks. Times have changed. Russia has invaded Ukraine, the US is shaping strategic industrial policy with the IRA and China is leading in 37 of 44 key technologies. While the European share of industry in the world economy was as large as that of China ten years ago, it is now only half that. Strategic innovation policy is therefore a dire necessity, and that requires an ambitious European R&D program.’

Ambitious framework programme

Negotiations will take place in Europe in the coming period on the next framework program (FP10). FME believes that this program should focus on strengthening European competitiveness and technological leadership. ‘To keep up with the global increase in R&D expenditure, both Europe and the Netherlands must achieve the 3% standard. Doubling the FP10 budget is in line with that ambition.’ FME proposes to make FP10 more attractive for innovative businesses by increasing the private share of the budget to one third and by focusing on key technologies to tackle social challenges. ‘This way we not only come up with innovations in Europe, but we also make them.’

Start-ups, innovative SMEs and large companies

According to FME, their members are already benefiting from Horizon. ‘Deep-tech start-ups can scale up in Europe and innovative SMEs can remain competitive on a global level. Large innovative companies develop the latest innovations together with knowledge institutions and other companies: from cleaner buses and trucks to advanced photonics and sustainable fuels. The technological industry also wants to contribute to Europe as an innovation leader in the new Framework Programme.

‘Europe must therefore take the wheel itself in an uncertain and changing world. Smart public investments in research and innovation are crucial. We want the focus of the development and production of key technologies, such as microelectronics, photonics and quantum technology, to also be in Europe. This allows us to improve healthcare, create a cleaner world and heat our homes. By taking key positions in value chains, we do not become undesirably dependent on other technologies besides solar panels and electric cars.’