Description
The HempClub project, funded by the COSME Programme, brings together 7 clusters and associations operating in the bioeconomy, advanced manufacturing, and hemp production sectors to create interconnected and interregional supply chains between operators in primary production, agri-food processing, and green chemistry in the hemp sector.
Recognizing the role of bioeconomy and sustainable practices in reducing the impact of traditional productions and consumption paths on the environment, HempClub also fosters the creation of new connections in many technological and bio-based EU value chains.
Moreover, HempClub implements the ClusterXchange pilot scheme which aims to support short-term exchanges between different COSME countries to better connect Europe’s industrial ecosystems. It facilitates transnational cooperation, peer learning, networking, and innovation uptake between actors of different industrial clusters.
Who can participate?
Participants of a transnational exchange can be representatives of cluster organisations and similar business network organisations, scaling-up support organisations (such as tech centres, research institutes, (digital) innovation hubs, fab labs, creative hubs, resource-efficiency service providers, incubators, accelerators) and SMEs that are cluster members from countries participating in the COSME programme. These organizations may be entitled to receive a lump sum for their participation.
GERMAN organizations can participate in the exchange, but since the exchange takes place in Germany, they will not receive a reimbursement due to the European exchange rules.
Visiting organizations can participate only ONCE in the CXC mobility scheme.
Exchange Objectives
- Creating a collaborative network dedicated to improving research and supporting commercial growth in the hemp fiber-based industry.
- Facilitating improved collaboration and networking across EU bioeconomy value chain players in order to promote sustainable technologies and innovative solutions in the European Material technologies business.
- Organizing visits to local factories and technology hubs that are actively applying bioeconomy-related methods, allowing for first-hand observation and exploration.
- Acquiring a thorough understanding of the present situation of the bioeconomy market, including important stakeholders, active innovation research initiatives, and funded projects.
The exchange will be hosted by Standortagentur Tirol an Austrian service provider, initiator and pioneer for business and science regarding growth, research, technology, innovations and cooperation.
PROGRAMME
DAY 1 (6th September '23)
9.00- 13.00 AFBW – Alliance Fibre-Based Materials
- Presentation of the cluster with the "naturalFIBER BW“ project
13.00-14.00 Networking lunch
14.00-16.30 Arena 2036 – The Research Campus
- Presentation and tour of the Arena 2036
- Future materials Mercedes-Benz: Presentation of the Mercedes - Benz sustainability strategy, exchange on the topic of renewable raw materials and presentation of various alpine hemp projects
- Exchange with the Institute of Aircraft Design of the University of Stuttgart IFB; Opportunities for natural fibre reinforced plastics and natural fibre textiles in aircraft construction and Industry
18.00-22.00 Social activities and networking dinner
22.00 End of the day
DAY 2 (7th September '23)
8.30- 10.30 University of Stuttgart: Cluster of Excellence "Integrative Planning and Construction for Architecture" (IntCDC)
- Visiting the production hall in Waiblingen
- Presentation of the livMatS project of the Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design ITKE/ Institute for Computational Design and Construction of the University of Stuttgart ICD
10.30-13.00 DITF - German Institutes for Textile and Fibre Research
- Natural fibre projects (Hemp Pultrusion, HighPerCell)
13.00-13.30 Networking snack
13.30-16.45 Campus Lenningen - Company visits:
- Fibers 365 (Steam Explosion, hemp365 hemp-based paper as a leather substitute)
- University of the Media HdM (hemp-based fibre casting, long-fibre reinforced paper, non-woven)
19.00-22.00 Networking dinner and end of the day
22.00 End of the day
DAY 3 (8th September '23)
9.00-17.30 Company visits:
- BaFa neu GmbH
- Karl Krumm - Agricultural and forestry contractor (harvesting machinery)hemp harvest
- TOPP Textil -Company visit and guided tour of the production facility, Presentation of hemp activities
19.45 End of the day
IMPORTANT NOTES
If you fulfill all the eligibility conditions (see above: "who can participate"), you may be entitled to receive a lump sum of €415 for participating in the event aiming to partially cover accommodation, flights, and meals.
To receive the lump sum, it is mandatory to participate in every activity of the exchange and complete the bureaucratic process.
If your organization already took part in the previous HempClub exchanges or in some exchanges organized by other CXC Partnerships, you will not be eligible to receive the lump sum.
Registration through this page does not give access directly to the event. After registration through this page, you will be contacted via email to verify your eligibility and finalize your registration for the event.
For any questions, do not hesitate to contact us at: hempclubeu [at] gmail.com