Finland’s operational programme has 6 thematic objectives and 10 investment priorities. RDI is addressed especially in thematic objective 1 that includes R&I infrastructures in 2 of its investment priorities of which 1 will be targeted:

1a) Enhancing research and innovation (R&I) infrastructure and capacities to develop R&I excellence, and promoting centres of competence, in particular those of European interest.

The investment priority highlights amongst others support to R&I infrastructure, pilot lines, demonstration and early product validation actions particular in the field of Key Enabling Technologies (KET) as well as increasing closer cooperation between industry and research community. Bioeconomy is seen as one of sectors with special focus. Although mentioned, the OP does not describe how the support will be organised nationally or regionally.

VTT’s Bioruukki pilot plant is a major regional innovation platform in the field of bioeconomy bringing together different actors: large enterprises, SMEs, academia, RTOs and municipalities, also from outside the region, thus having a key role in the innovation-driven Bioeconomy Transformation in Finland. Besides this VTT Bioruukki pilot plant is the largest innovation hub in Northern Europe.

It would be important to understand:

- How to facilitate and support long term investment for VTT Bioruukki pilot plant

- How the access of industry and other users to open technology infrastructures is supported best

Throughout 2014-2020 the region of Western-Netherlands (provinces Zuid-Holland, Noord-Holland, Utrecht and Flevoland) receives ERDF funds (€189,847,057). The funds will be used, in combination with co-financing, to boost the region's potential for R&I while at the same time contributing to the development of a resource efficient, low-carbon economy.

The region recognizes the need for targeted investments and takes into account its socio-economic profile, the European Council’s country specific recommendations, the overarching European & national strategies in particular the RIS3 of Western-Netherlands. The OP will therefore;

-promote business investment in R&I, develop links and synergies between enterprises, R&D centres, knowledge institutions and the higher education sector, and foster cross-overs between the regional sectors;

-facilitate the use on a larger scale of energy derived from residual heat and stimulate the roll-out of energy saving measures in the building environment.

Part of the challenges is the problem of the fossil based economy. Bio-pilot plants have a role in the transition to a biobased economy. Bioprocess Pilot Facility Delft (PP5) is a project supported by the region in the former operational programme “Kansen voor West 1”.

Problem: In the Province of South Holland and in the OP adressed, there are no projects worked out to support the use of pilot infrastructure by innovators (companies, SMEs, R&D centers), although the OP allows for this.

We focus on Thematic Objective 1: Strengthening Research, Technological Development and Innovation

There are five activities in support of this objective -

• Provide direct support for innovation in enterprises

• Enhance business capacity for innovation support in enterprises

• Support innovative and collaborative projects, particularly across sectors

• Create new Open Access Technology Centres

• Support SMEs to accelerate the development, innovation, adoption, employment and cost reduction of low carbon technologies, goods and services

 

These activities provide a good opportunity for SMEs to pilot new technologies, however, there are a number of aspects to piloting within IB that need consideration through the policy instrument.

• The high level of capital investment required for IB piloting/demonstration

• The long lead time for new technologies to reach pilot requirement stage

• The high revenue and capex to maintain and adapt pilot facilities to process sustainable feedstocks and incorporate novel process technologies and products

• The High cost of maintaining pilot facilities and intermittent demand for facilities must be considered in public funding mechanisms.

• How to enable wider support to businesses nationally and across Europe without access to pilot facilities

• The high but long term growth potential and sustainability of the emerging IB market

• The need to effectively utilise national and European assets, resources and networks

The OP of Lombardy focuses on three main goals in order to implement a regional strategy coherent with a “smart, sustainable and inclusive” growth:

1. Set the Region back on a sustainable growth path

2. Increase system productivity (both private and public)

3. Increase companies’ competitiveness

The first activity line (Asse I) implementing these goals, with a budget of 349 ml€ – 36% of the whole ERDF funding – is “Strengthening R&D&I” with the goal to reach by 2020 an R&D&I expenditure on DGP of at least 1,53%.

Its main goal is to promote companies’ investments in R&D&I and foster cooperation between companies, R&D centres and universities, in order to develop new products and services, technology transfer, promote social and eco-innovation, networks, clusters and open innovation. The goal is also to support applied research, pilot lines, early validation of innovation, advanced manufacturing with special focus on KETs.

Specific measures for supporting Research Infrastructure are not currently defined, but the Regional Government is interested in their implementation. Within its Smart Specialisation Strategy, Lombardy identified 7 Areas, one of which focuses on Eco-industries, including the bioeconomy. The OP framework to support R&I exsists, but specific measures are not defined. SmartPilots will help to define good projects within the frame of the OP.