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Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs

Objectives of the commitment

The overall objective of CRM_InnoNet (Critical Raw Materials Innovation Network) is to create an integrated community that will drive innovation in the field of critical raw materials substitution for the benefit of EU industry. To this end, CRM_InnoNet has launched the Innovation Network for Substitution of Critical Raw Materials, a proactive, dynamic and growing network of over 100 key stakeholder organisations from industry, academia and the policy arena involved in the substitution of critical raw materials. CRM_InnoNet has already conducted detailed top-down and bottom-up mapping of the substitution landscape in Europe. Armed with this information, and drawing on the broad expertise of the project consortium and the Innovation Network, CRM_InnoNet will elaborate roadmaps for the substitution of critical raw materials in five key applications of economic importance to Europe and a series of policy recommendations.

CRM_InnoNet aligns directly with two of the EIP priority areas: I.A Raw materials research and innovation coordination (for the field of substitution) and I.C substitution of raw materials. As an up-and-running initiative, CRM_InnoNet is well placed to contribute promptly to these priority areas in the short term. CRM_InnoNet seeks to secure a Raw Materials Commitment to:
• ensure broad access of CRM_InnoNet outputs to the wider EIP community,
• to ensure alignment of CRM_InnoNet and EIP objectives and
• to facilitate input from the wider EIP community into CRM_InnoNet roadmapping and policy activities.

The CRM_InnoNet consortium is comprised of recognised and experienced key actors across the value chain of substitution of critical raw materials representing academia, research establishments and industry bodies of relevant sectors that will ensure a wide European coverage and high potential to reach and engage other necessary players across the European Research Area. CRM_InnoNet is supported under the NMP (nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies) theme of the European Commission 7th Framework Programme.

Description of the activities

CRM_InnoNet will:
• Maintain one or more Innovation Network(s) in the field of substitution of critical raw materials that will ensure the relevance and usefulness of the project results and constitute a dynamic, open and proactive platform for the entire stakeholder community aiming to support and enhance the competitiveness of the EU industry and economy. CRM_InnoNet will carry out a feasibility study considering the potential models and routes for this Innovation Network(s) post 2015 and decide upon concrete future actions in this respect. The potential for the Innovation Network to continue under the umbrella of the KIC is under consideration.

• Propose roadmaps for the substitution of critical raw materials in coordination and cooperation with all stakeholders across the critical raw materials substitution value chain while paying close attention to the specificities of critical industrial sectors as well as possible synergies. Securing a Raw Materials Commitment will facilitate input from the wider EIP community into roadmap development. The roadmaps will play close attention to the specificities of critical industrial sectors as well as possible synergies.
• Chart and monitor the policy landscape regarding critical raw materials and their substitution in the EU and place it within a global context. A Raw Materials Commitment is sought to facilitate input from and alignment with the wider EIP community during this process.
• Prepare a document containing recommendations, future initiative ideas and suggested actions for policy makers with the widest possible endorsement and consensus of all stakeholders involved.
• Make available to the EIP community existing project results including mapping of on-going initiatives in the field of substitution and a methodology for the prioritisation of applications under threat.

Further information can be found at the project website www.criticalrawmaterials.eu

Description of the expected impacts

• The Innovation Network for Substitution of Critical Raw Materials directly addresses Action 4 of Action Area no. 1.1 (Improving R&D&I coordination in the EU). For the area of substitution, the Innovation Network will “bring together a wide range of actors from basic and applied research to large industrial firms and innovative start-ups pooling knowledge, tools and research infrastructures related to raw materials.” Goals of the Innovation Network include improving coordination of R&I actions in the field of raw materials substitution and increasing efficiency and effectiveness of EU research activities in this field.

In addition, CRM_InnoNet will prioritise and propose future initiatives and actions in the field of substitution of CRM oriented to increase the coordination and added value of the EU R&D&I in close connection to industrial future needs and commerce and therefore enhancing the competitiveness of the EU economy. The recommendations will be made in the form of roadmaps for the substitution of five applications evaluated to be both of economic importance to Europe and under threat from potential supply disruptions. The roadmap, recommended actions and policy recommendations will be provided to the EIP HLSG and may be adopted by the EIP at the next review point.

• I.C substitution of raw materials
The Innovation Network for Critical Raw Materials will be an invaluable resource to consortia wishing to address action areas. The Innovation Network will continue to bring diverse stakeholders together, with the aim of initiating multidisciplinary collaborations able to tackle the specific substitution actions. CRM_InnoNet is already developing relationships with consortia seeking to address these actions and seeks to work closely with all proposals that are successful in obtaining Horizon2020 funding. CRM_InnoNet will provide a dissemination channel for project results to the substitution community. The Innovation Network provides a channel for connecting ongoing research initiatives in the field of substitution, already connecting existing projects to increase coordination and share learning and providing a mechanism for connecting these upcoming EIP action areas both to previous projects and each other.

Coordinating organisation & role

Name of the coordinating organisation: Chemistry Innovation LtdCountry: United KingdomEntity profile: Private sector - large companyRole within the commitment:

Chemistry Innovation will be the Coordinator for the project and work package leader for the
Communication and Dissemination activities. Chemistry Innovation will also play a supporting role in WPs 4 (Value chain analysis of priority sectors), 5 (Research and Innovation roadmaps) and WP6 (Innovation Network).

Other partners

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V.

Name of the organisation: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V. Country: Germany Entity profile: Governmental/public body
Role within the commitment: Fraunhofer will lead the CFRP and GFRP recycling research.
Fraunhofer will perform corrosion tests on the developed materials.
Fraunhofer will work with CIDAUT on the implementation, validation and refinement of LCCA tools for the project. Fraunhofer is the Quality Manager of the Consortium and will oversee deliverables and general reporting are produced with the best possible quality following agreed review standards.

Fundacion Cidaut

Name of the organisation: Fundacion Cidaut Country: Spain Entity profile:
Role within the commitment: CIDAUT will lead the research activities on materials recycling and compounding, implementing lab scale demonstrators of each process at its premises and, later, supporting end-users upscale the processes.
CIDAUT will perform mechanical tests, microstructural analyses, injection moulding capability studies on the developed materails, and will work with Fraunhofer on the implementation, validation and refinement of LCCA tools for the project.

RWTH Aachen University (Institute of plastic processing (IKV)

Name of the organisation: RWTH Aachen University (Institute of plastic processing (IKV) Country: Germany Entity profile: Governmental/public body
Role within the commitment: RWTH will implement the novel 3D Generative Preforming process (3D Fibre Spraying) that enables to create high-value long fibre-reinforced 3D preforms for thermoplastic and thermoset composites at low process costs (different kinds of yarn as a raw material, low tooling costs due to low cavity pressures). This cost effective technology allows to align the sprayed fibres in order to produce high-performance, engineered anisotropic products.

Universita' di Cagliari

Name of the organisation: Universita' di Cagliari Country: Italy Entity profile:
Role within the commitment: University of Cagliari is one of the leading European organization in the resin design and coupling with thermoplastic and thermose materials. University of Cagliari will support in the definition of the composite materials, both from CFRP/GFRP, ABS and Rare Earth composite material.

Relight

Name of the organisation: Relight Country: Italy Entity profile: Private sector - SME
Role within the commitment: RELIGHT will work with ITRB to provide the research partners with residues for the recycled ABS supply and the REE recovery processes, including their HydroWEEE process as part of the processes to be studied and analyzed.

Piaggio Aerospace

Name of the organisation: Piaggio Aerospace Country: Italy Entity profile: Private sector - large company
Role within the commitment: Piaggio Aerospace is one of the project End Users (Aeronautics Industry): as such it will provide requirements and further applications that could be developed with the Consortium Materials. Piaggio will assist in the compounds selection, provide Fraunhofer with specific corrosion requirements on business jet size aircraft, and will assess that the developed materials performance fits the selected applications desired improvements.

Blackshape Aircrafts

Name of the organisation: Blackshape Aircrafts Country: Italy Entity profile: Private sector - SME
Role within the commitment: Blackshape Aircrafts is one of the project End Users (Aeronautics Industry): as such it will provide requirements and further applications that could be developed with the Consortium Materials. Blackshape will support to fulfill the requirements of the aeronautics industry on ultra light jet, light jet and trainer for Syllabus, and will assess that the developed alloys performance fits the selected applications desired improvements.

KU Leuven

Name of the organisation: KU Leuven Country: Belgium Entity profile: Academia
Role within the commitment: KUL will collaborate on the balance problem studies and will lead the rare earth recovery research with the solvometallurgical and ionometallurgical processes.
KUL will also contribute to the final compounding selection.
KUL is the Dissemination Manager of the project, promoting that all partners are active on the project Dissemination.

FIDAMC

Name of the organisation: FIDAMC Country: Spain Entity profile: Governmental/public body
Role within the commitment: FIDAMC is going to lead the Work Package on Compression Moulding with CFRP-enhanced materials. As part of the AIRBUS Group, FIDAMC will also be able to provide the input material.
FIDAMC successfully developed a 3D Printer of own design to serve the Aerospace Industry and will be supporting Smart Lab 3D Industries in its 3D printer design.

COMPOSITE INNOVATION CENTER

Name of the organisation: COMPOSITE INNOVATION CENTER Country: Canada Entity profile: Governmental/public body
Role within the commitment: Composite Innovation Center is one of the world leading organization in the field of Composite materials, both from carbon fiber and vegetal-based fibers.
Composite Innovation center has successfully implemented, at lab-scale, recycling processes for CFRP and GFRP.

Existing EU Contribution: Yes

Period to implement the commitment: from 01-11-2012 to 30-04-2015