Inter-cluster initiative to target the future challenges for

the European polymer converting industry

A European Coordination and Support Action supported through

the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development.
 Inter-cluster initiative to target the future

Objectives
The European Polymer Converting Industry (EPCI) is a major European industry, comprising 50,000 companies -
of which 85% are SMEs - and 1.4 million employees (source: EuPC 2008).

To encourage the EPCIs economic development, 'ROWTHOFTHEAVERAGESIZE3-% #REATIONOFTECHNOLOGY BASEDBUSINESS

CLUSTERPLAST will develop support actions common
to 6 regional clusters in Europe. 2$INVESTMENTGROWTH 'ROWTHINJOBCREATION

CLUSTERPLAST will set-up a Joint Action Plan (JAP)

designed to promote synergies between the CLUSTERPLAST impact :
CLUSTERPLAST
+ 6% per year*
local/regional authorities, business entities and EFFECT
research organisations from the 6 European re-
gions. The JAP will support technology-led deve- The European Polymer Converting
lopment in the regions, encouraging innovation Industry in 2007 :

through collaboration between RTD infrastructures s 50 000 companies

EPCI turnover

sMILLIONEMPLOYEES
and companies, stimulating new enterprise, at- s0RODUCTIONOVER-T
s€BILLIONTURNOVERIN EuPC forecast : + 4% per year
tracting new investment through a number of va-
ried initiatives, and coordinating actions to ensure
consistent use of public and private funding. 2007 2015

Impact
CLUSTERPLAST aims to improve co-operation between regional
authorities, research entities and local businesses, as well
as to strengthen knowledge-based economic development and
boost competitiveness. The CLUSTERPLAST project will have stra-
tegic impacts in various fields, like knowledge transfer, sharing of
RTD infrastructures, fostering of entrepreneurship, mutual learning and
mentoring. The EPCI as a whole is likely to benefit from the results of
CLUSTERPLAST. Mentoring and mutual learning will disseminate good
practices and effective R&D investment tools at a European level.

CLUSTERPLAST strengthens development of knowledge-based companies

Clusters and their associated networks cultivate faster product deve-
lopment by increasing company knowledge through interaction with
skilled partners. CLUSTERPLAST will boost the synergies between clus-
ters at a European level, with a focus on SMEs.

CLUSTERPLAST connects regions

CLUSTERPLAST will draw upon experience from existing research-dri-
ven clusters to enhance the development of new clusters, which will
focus on integrating the three sides of the knowledge triangle, namely
research centres, businesses and local/regional authorities.

CLUSTERPLAST encourages high value-added research in Europe

Together the clusters will integrate industry know-how, RTD infrastruc-
tures, entrepreneurship and political will into a consistent and viable
“Joint Action Plan”, which will equally be used as a blueprint for the
Applications of the Polymer
development of other regional clusters in the EPCI. Converting Industry
challenges for the European polymer converting industry

Roadmap and ambitions

A review of the main actors in the business--research--regional/local authorities triangle, of R&D financial instru-
ments, and of previous technology roadmaps, projects and initiatives will be drawn up. The review will further
industry awareness, increase the reach of dissemination activities, encourage technology transfer between
regional entities and clusters, and facilitate the launch of joint initiatives and projects.

Likewise, the review will provide an industry benchmark, identify best practices and improve inter-cluster communication.

Critical analysis of the research agendas Management

1. Analysis of the Research - Business - Local/regional authorities triangle

2. SWOT charts and recommendations

Joint Action Plan (JAP) Dissemination and initiation

of mentoring actions
Materials & compound technologies
1. Sharing of RTD infrastructures 1. Setting up
Transformation processes 2. Knowledge transfer the communication policy
3. Mobility plan 2. Organisation of common events
Tooling and machines 4. Selection of research projects and initiatives
5. Fostering of Entrepreneurship 3. Dissemination tools
6. Integrated and relevant
Composites and nanocomposites
education/training strategies
7. Mutual learning and mentoring
Smart plastics (materials functionalization)
8. Consolidation of the JAP

Process Integration & eco-conception

By increasing industry awareness, it will be easier to identify new opportunities and cross actions, and to en-
courage greater interaction between the entities of the innovation system. This will mean:

1. European skills and knowledge will be put to best use

2. The most adapted funding schemes will be selected
3. The results of R&D will be widely disseminated and efficiently exploited, increasing their value

The development of a Joint Action Plan will go a long way to meet the defined
goals, constituting a major deliverable of the project. It will promote further integra-
tion of R&D and scientific activities at a European level, eliminate duplication of
work, and exploit complementary skills and knowledge, in line with the European
Research Area Objective. The Joint Action Plan will cover sharing of RTD infrastruc-
tures, knowledge transfer, mobility, selection and support of research projects, fos-
tering of entrepreneurship, education and training strategies, and mutual learning
and mentoring strategies.

The consortium has an effective communication policy to disseminate its actions

by organizing common events and initiatives. It will adopt the role of mentor for
SMEs, clusters in the making, and less developed European regions.
Crédit photo : Armand
Crédit photo : Jean-Paul Bajard
Consortium
In order to tackle CLUSTERPLAST’s ambitious objectives, a powerful consortium has been formed. It consists of
15 partners from local authorities, business entities and research centres, from 6 European countries:

4 existing research-driven clusters:

• Land Oberösterreich (Austria):
CLUSTERLAND - www.clusterland.at
• Regione Piemonte (Italy):
PROPLAST - www.proplast.it
• Région Rhône-Alpes (France):
Région Rhône-Alpes - www.rhonealpes.fr
PLASTIPOLIS - www.plastipolis.fr
• Enginnering & Tooling Cluster (Portugal):
CENTIMFE - www.centimfe.com
CEFAMOL - www.cefamol.pt
OPEN - www.open.pt
IST - www.ist.utl.pt
MARINHA-GRANDE - www.cm-mgrande.pt

2 clusters in the making:

• Zlinsky Kraj (Czech Republic): Technology Inno
Technology Innovation Centre Ltd.

TICZLIN - www.ticzlin.cz
PLASTR - www.plastr.cz
• Comunidad de Valencia (Spain):
UA - www.ua.es
IMPIVA - www.impiva.es
AVEP - www.avep.es

Project management consultancy:


- www.almacg.com

Acknowledgements
CLUSTERPLAST is supported by the European Commission through its Seventh Fra-
mework Programme (FP7) for Research and Technology Development. The project’s Création :: Comète :: www.comete.com

global budget is €887k, of which €749k is funded by the European Commission.

The CLUSTERPLAST project focuses on the “plastics converters industry”, aimed at

strengthening the EPCI network in Europe.

The project was launched on 1st January 2009 and will run until 30th June 2010.

Project Coordinator:
Région Rhône-Alpes - Ms Caroline Barnay
cbarnay@rhonealpes.fr, (+33) 4 27 86 63 24

EC Project Officer:
Mr. Salvatore La Rosa
salvatore.la-rosa@ec.europa.eu, (+32) 2 29 90 792

www.clusterplast.eu