3FOOD

Third Industrial Revolution Consulting Group
Align national research with needs of industry and other beneficiaries, to foster
serendipity innovation, risk sharing of research and innovation, and mutual learning.
Bridge the valley of death (Technology Readiness Level 4-7, i.e. between research
and industrial applications), by aligning Luxembourg ‘Smart Specialisation’ (RIS3,
http://s3platform.jrc.ec.europa.eu/regions/LU) with national priorities in the
research and industrial sectors.
Promote complementary multi-industry public-private-partnerships, with
stakeholders to collaborate on common topics with governmental and financial
(public and private) support.
Address Transversal issues, including: cross-sectorial, cross-application products and
services; overcome missing critical mass in product/service lines; valorize
innovation in different industrial applications, market segments, and sectors.
Launch lifelong learning programs tailored to the need of industry and competences
of University of Luxembourg researchers.
Set up enabling technology platformsto facilitate cost reduction of RDI through
mutualisation (sharing) of resources (researchers, equipment, facilities, etc.);
develop new applications and provide foundations for innovation (proof of concept,
scale up, industrial transfer, mass production) through equipment, pilot lines,
enabling platforms, technology, and infrastructure. Challenges to be faced and submeasures
to be taken into account include: overcoming the difficulties of upfront
investment from private industry when thre is no direct return on investment:
garnering public support to put initial technology platforms in place and have the
private sector contribute in the second phase. Other challenges that need
addressing: multi-partner PPPs are quasi non-existent; there is lack of critical mass in
multiple markets, sectors, and domains; the EC state-aid rules are becoming more
stringent; low private financing of ‘risky’ projects; high capital investment for
equipment; trouble filling gaps in national value chains (Foreign Direct Investment);
and the need to create start-ups to valorise innovation, IPR. The cities of Aachen and
Grenoble are readying initiatives to set up successful Eco-systems for research
cooperation.
2.2 Establish a platform for engaging relevant professionals across sectors in identifying,
prioritizing, and addressing the myriad of technical challenges associated with scaling up
Smart Industry, and seamlessly interfacing with the Internets of communication,
renewable energy, mobility & logistics and buildings as nodes and nanogrids.
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