• The Packaging Cluster joins the Smart Specialization Platform, made up of 22 clusters from 11 different European countries

The European Commission has approved the Smart Specialisation Platform for Food and Packaging with the Packaging Cluster as a member. This association initiated by Pack4Food, based in Belgium and made up of 22 clusters from 11 different European countries, joins forces to accelerate the transition towards sustainable food packaging and to support EU countries and regions in the development and implementation of its research and innovation strategies for smart specialization.

The consortium provides guidance and examples of good practice, facilitates peer review and mutual learning, trains policy makers through information sessions, and integrates large groups in the food and packaging sector on a European scale to promote projects and exchange knowledge. It also provides methods, experience and professional advice in the countries and regions of the European Union in the design and implementation of research and innovation strategies for smart specialization.

The objective of the Packaging Cluster to the Smart Food and Packaging Specialization Platform is to collaborate in promoting a network with the aim of connecting the main food and packaging entities in Europe with the challenge of accelerating the transition towards sustainability.

Collaboration is relevant to elevate innovation and creativity to another dimension.

A more specialized and competitive Europe

The European Commission considers that in order to make Europe more competitive, it is necessary for the different territories to intensify specialization according to the competitive advantages they have, so that the intelligent reorientation of the corresponding productive sectors can respond to global challenges.

In fact, the research and innovation strategy for the smart specialization of Catalonia (RIS3CAT) was the response of the Catalan territory to the requirement of the European Commission, already 7 years ago. Thus, the states and regions of the European Union would develop research and innovation strategies for smart specialization (RIS3).

The RIS3CAT focuses on seven sectoral areas of specialization (Food, Energy and resources, Industrial systems, Design-based industries, Industries related to sustainable mobility, Health industries and cultural and experience-based industries) and six enabling technologies (ICT, Nanotechnology, Photonics, Advanced Materials, Biotechnology and Advanced Manufacturing) that must favor the transition in Catalonia towards a more competitive, sustainable and inclusive economic model. The main strategic objectives of the platform are the following:

• Strengthen the competitiveness of the business fabric by improving the efficiency of production processes.
• Promote new emerging economic activities based on research, creativity and innovation.
• Consolidate Catalonia as a European pole of knowledge.
• Connect technological and creative capacities with productive sectors.
• Improve the Catalan innovation system.