Securing the interests of the Norwegian process industry in the EU Partnership "SPIRE-II" and Horizon Europe

This application aims to support the coordination and participation of the Norwegian process industry in the expected European Partnership evolving from the current public-private partnership (cPPP) "Sustainable Process Industry through Resource and Energy Efficiency" or SPIRE. The coordination activities will align SPIRE activities with the other strategic national Norwegian initiatives Prosess21 and PROSIN (lead by the Eyde Cluster) and the two major industrial parts in Norway, Herøya Industry Park and Mo Industry Park. SPIRE has established a strong position within Horizon 2020. With the approaching end of H2020, SPIRE is currently heavily engaged in securing a continuation in the new 9th Framework Program (Horizon Europe, HEU) and has received very positive feedback. The impact of SPIRE within H2020 and its favorable prospects for continuation within HEU is indicated by the inclusion of "Carbon Neutral and Circular Industry" (CNCI). SPIRE is indicated as the predecessor of CNCI. SPIRE has published a Vision Document, and this was subsequently transformed into a 2050 Roadmap that has been sent out for stakeholder consultatoin. Norwegian representatives hold key positions within SPIRE, with 2 seats on the Board of Directors, leadership of the Industrial Research and Innovation Advisory Group (IRIAG) and one additional seat in the IRIAG. Norwegian representatives lead one and participate in all 7 Working Groups that have been responsible for the technical content of the Roadmap. Upon completion of the Roadmap in Q1 2020, the WGs will develop priority topics and call texts for HEU. Strategic national cooperation involving the activities in SPIRE and HEU, Prosess21, PROSIN, and the two major industry parks in Norway, will ensure that the strategic interests of the Norwegian process industry are included on a European level and that the Norwegian process industries are well-positioned to take advantage of the financial and networking opportunities available in HEU.