Eva Schillinger from our project partner IAM-I was interviewed in February 2025 from Simon Pickstone from ENDS* to explore the strategic importance of advanced materials for Europe’s competitiveness and how political and regulatory choices will shape the sector’s future. The interview was published online on 17th March 2025 and is available with this link. (unfortunately, only behind a paywall)
The conversation with Eva Schillinger, secretary general of the Innovative Advanced Materials Initiative (IAM-I), emphasises the potential of advanced materials to strengthen Europe’s industrial resilience and technological leadership. She argues that the EU possesses a strong scientific and technical knowledge base but struggles to translate this into commercial innovation. Key barriers include fragmented research structures, low private investment, a shortage of skills and laboratory capacity, and a persistent gap between fundamental research and industrial deployment. According to Schillinger, IAM-I and the newly established Technology Council for Advanced Materials aim to reduce fragmentation by aligning national, regional and sectoral efforts along shared value-chain needs.
“Turn our knowledge base into an advantage in innovation and capitalise on it.” (Eva Schillinger)
Advanced materials – those offering substantially improved functional performance – are presented as essential for the EU’s green and digital transitions. They support resource efficiency, reduce dependence on critical raw materials, replace hazardous substances and help cut emissions. Schillinger highlights their significant potential across sectors such as clean energy, mobility, construction and electronics, and calls for Europe to leverage its expertise to secure industrial leadership.
On regulation, she notes that although the EU’s framework differs from that of the US or China, these differences could be used to Europe’s advantage if regulation is structured to support innovation. She points to the “safe and sustainable by design” approach as an example of a framework that brings sustainability, circularity and early-warning principles into product development. Nonetheless, she stresses that sufficient flexibility is needed within research and innovation processes, and that long-term regulatory stability is vital given the scale of required investments.
Looking towards the next EU budget period from 2028, Schillinger sees recent institutional developments as a strong foundation but argues they must be continued and strengthened. High-level technology councils can help define strategic priorities across sectors, yet IAM-I will not be able to fulfil its mission within the remaining years of Horizon Europe. To ensure the EU’s broader industrial and strategic ambitions can be realised, she insists that advanced materials must remain central in future European research and innovation frameworks.
The interview was carried out over video call on 17 February.
