The Process Industry – A Key to Europe’s Independence

This was emphasized at three major conferences in Brussels – Process4Planet, EFFRA Manufacturing Partnership Days, and SINTEF EU Summit – where the Eyde Cluster participated with Managing Director Helene Falch Fladmark, Head of Competence Nadia Handeland, and EU Advisor Christophe Pinck.

Both the European Commission and industry representatives share the same goal: to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and autonomy regarding critical raw materials, while also helping industry take major steps toward zero emissions.

At the Heart of the Industrial Clean Deal

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently emphasized that the process industry lies at the core of the Industrial Clean Deal – the EU’s flagship initiative for green industry and technological sovereignty. This message shaped much of the dialogue in Brussels, where the Eyde Cluster took part in strengthening Norway’s ties to broader European partnerships.

Human-Centered Technology and Competence

At the Manufacturing Factories Day conference, Nadia Handeland highlighted how technology must be human-centered – designed to empower operators and build competence in parallel with digital development.

Projects such as Cogniman demonstrate how skills mapping and learning modules can be tailored to industrial needs. This leads to more resilient and future-oriented workplaces, and opens new opportunities for collaboration between Norwegian and European partners in digitalization and skills development.

Raw Materials and Strategic Independence

During the EU SINTEF Summit, Helene Falch Fladmark took the opportunity to ask Norway’s Minister of Climate and Environment, Sigrun Aasland, whether the government plans to participate in the EU’s Competitiveness Fund – an instrument designed to support industrial innovation and reduce dependence on non-European suppliers.
The minister’s vague response caused concern, especially since the Eyde Cluster has long been an active partner in EU collaboration.

The European Commission emphasized that critical raw materials and circular economy are central to Europe’s strategy for independence. This aligns closely with the Eyde Cluster’s ongoing work with byproduct mapping and the material database, both aimed at strengthening sustainable resource management.

New Partnerships and the Road Ahead

EU research programs are now moving increasingly toward application-oriented innovation – a shift that will become even stronger from 2028 through the Competitiveness Fund.
Calls under Horizon Europe have deadlines in April, and the Eyde Cluster’s EU Advisor Christophe Pinck offers guidance to member companies seeking to engage in this evolving landscape.

According to Pinck, the discussions in Brussels revolve around competitiveness and strategic independence, and navigating the European system is not as complex as many assume.
The next Horizon Europe funding deadline is in April 2026, making this an ideal time for Norwegian industrial companies to reach out and explore collaboration opportunities.