Industrial Policy
France, Germany push EU funding for tech start-ups
France and Germany are pushing for an EU-wide initiative to fund innovation and research in tech start-up projects across the bloc so that Europe can compete more effectively against the likes of China and the United States.
Tech industry and consumer watchdogs at odds over robot liability
Tech industry groups and consumer watchdogs are at odds over whether the European Commission should overhaul the bloc’s legislation on product liability to cover robots and artificial intelligence.
‘Juncker plan’ mobilises €284 billion in investment
The EU’s investment fund set up in the aftermath of the financial crisis has mobilised €284 billion to date, mostly in private capital, surpassing the halfway point of its 2020 target.
EU considering taking China to WTO over IP practices
The European Commission is “closely examining” the option of filing complaints against China before the World Trade Organization for their rules and practices on intellectual property, a spokesperson told EURACTIV on Wednesday (4 April).
The plastic heart of Europe’s industrial renaissance: The role of fluoropolymers in revitalising the EU’s key industry sectors
In light of the increasing global competition across all markets there is a broad consensus between the Council, the European Commission and EU Member States that one of the key priorities for the future is to revitalise Europe’s industry sectors to generate growth and prosperity. VideoPromoted content
Time to implement a forward-looking EU industrial strategy
As the second annual EU Industry Day approaches on 22 and 23 February, industry representatives are calling for action on an ambitious, forward-looking EU industrial strategy.
EU bank approves financing for ‘Europe’s largest battery factory’
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved €52.5 million in financing for Swedish battery cell manufacturer Northvolt, a bank executive said on Monday (12 February), part of a European Union push to compete with Asian and US manufacturers.
More space for more Europe
2018 will be a crucial year to shape a stimulating new narrative for EU space policy. Jean-Loic Galle lists a couple of key points ahead of the 10th EU space policy conference taking place in Brussels on 23 and 24 January.
Circular economy success needs more than ambitious policies
Voluntary agreements are hardly a new concept but industry action on this front can drive real progress, particularly when it comes to the circular economy, writes MEP Martina Dlabajová.
EU cybersecurity chief: Now is the time to discuss liability
There needs to be more discussion about liability for cybersecurity attacks, Steve Purser, director of operators at the EU cybersecurity agency ENISA, told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
European battery alliance launched in Brussels
The European Commission hosted auto, chemical and engineering executives in Brussels yesterday (11 October) to develop battery manufacturing in the EU to compete with Asian and US manufacturers.
Cross-border mobility of companies: ‘Real seat’ vs ‘incorporation’
EU member states have adopted contrasting approaches to the cross-border mobility of companies, with some insisting on “real” economic activity and others happy to consider the legally-registered office instead. How the EU eventually decides could have important implications, writes Corrado Malberti.
Bieńkowska: ‘What we want from Volkswagen is a different approach’
The car sector is keeping EU Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska busy. In an exclusive interview with EURACTIV, the Polish official spoke frankly about carmaker responsibility following the Dieselgate scandal, how to deal with Uber and how Brussels-Warsaw relations might not improve.
Alstom, Siemens merge to create new European rail champion
The maker of France's TGV trains announced Tuesday (26 September) a "merger of equals" with German industrial leader Siemens in a giant and politically tricky deal to create a new European rail champion.
Don’t protect us from doing business!
It’s always a pleasure to be praised as strategically important. But when looking at the European Commission’s current proposal for screening foreign direct investments, many entrepreneurs ask: what is the strategy? Thilo Brodtmann explains.
Commission ignores calls for objectives in new industrial strategy
The European Commission did not include new strategic objectives and targets in its industrial package unveiled on Monday (18 September), stressing instead that a master plan already exists for European industry.
Digital revolution forces rethink of labour and welfare
The transformation of jobs in the digital era will force governments to review their welfare systems and workers to constantly update their skills, senior European officials, experts and ministers agreed during a conference held in the Estonian capital Tallinn this week.
Bütikofer: ‘The priority to support additive manufacturing is financing research’
Reinhard Bütikofer is one of the most authoritative voices in the European Parliament on 3D printing. In his view, Europe will have to struggle over the next decade to be a leader in industry, and will get there only if it turns research efforts into innovative results.
FP9: An unmissable chance to boost European additive manufacturing industry
The new EU Framework Programme offers an unmissable opportunity to step up public research investment in additive manufacturing/3D printing. Let’s make the most out of this key technology for Europe’s future, writes Filip Geerts.
Europe looks at 3D printing to pursue its industrial renaissance
The European Commission backs additive manufacturing as one of the pillars to strengthen its industrial sector and step up efforts to maintain the EU's global advantage.
John Cooper: On fossil fuels, the European public is ‘a little bit misled’
A lot is at stake for the energy security of Europe if political correctness was to dictate imposing one technology against the other, John Cooper, Director General of FuelsEurope told EURACTIV.com.
Time to bust a few myths about innovation in the internet of things era
Small European tech companies might be about to lose out if the European Commission's new patent guidelines favour giants like Qualcomm and Ericsson, writes Morgan Reed.
Dawn of new EU emissions rules could sound death knell for coal power
New EU rules formally agreed on Monday (31 July) mean power plants will have to cut pollutants, with the cost of compliance estimated to be over €15bn. Environmental groups predict that the logical next step is widespread closures of the most polluting coal-powered plants.