On June 19, 2024, the Institute of Materials and Machine Mechanics SAS hosted the 5th Strategic Seminar of the Society for New Materials and Technologies (SNMT). At this seminar, the company presented to the professional public the strategy, “Advanced materials for leadership in the industry,” which the European Commission adopted in February 2024. This strategy aims to align the priorities of research, innovation, and investments across the EU and ensure Europe’s leadership in this vital area.
At the seminar, experts, scientists, and representatives of the European Commission, the Government Office of the Slovak Republic, and the Council of the Government of the Slovak Republic for Science, Technology, and Innovation gathered to discuss the importance of advanced materials for the future of European industry.
Advanced materials are essential to maintain Europe’s competitiveness in materials research. Experts predict that the demand for these materials will increase significantly in the coming years, especially in areas such as renewable energy production, construction, transportation, and electronics. An efficient transition to a green and digital economy and ensuring an efficient transition from concept to final product will be critical to this growth in demand. These materials are also essential for the EU’s resilience and strategic autonomy, as they belong to critical areas for the Union’s economic security.
The seminar provided space for experts to exchange knowledge and experience in new materials and technologies were presented. During the panel discussion, the experts touched on several hot topics, such as whether even tiny Slovakia can contribute to this initiative alongside the big European players and how fragmented European research is. The topic also included the challenges that European industry can face and the opportunities this strategy brings to industry and science in the EU.
The Society for New Materials and Technologies (SNMT) organized the event to support cooperation between academia, universities, and industry. The company’s primary mission is to provide up-to-date information in the field of science and technology with an emphasis on new materials and technologies, their application in production practice, financing options, and the creation of strategies. SNMT is a member of the Federation of European Materials Societies (FEMS).
