EIT Manufacturing: a Vision of the Future

The manufacturing sector is a key force in Europe, encompassing more than 2 million businesses and sustaining almost 30 million direct jobs. Nevertheless, new market and societal demands, rapid advances in technology, and environmental and sustainability requirements are driving change in the sector. EIT Manufacturing, Europe’s leading Industry 4.0 innovation network, has been set up to make European industry more competitive. With support from the European Commission, a consortium of 50 partners from 17 countries will work together to consolidate Europe's leading position in manufacturing innovation, promoting the rapid and efficient uptake of new technologies.

The initiative, which will have hubs in the Basque Country, Germany, Sweden, Austria and Italy, was launched this week in Donostia-San Sebastián, where more than 150 industry experts gathered over Thursday and Friday to roll out the earliest stages. Efforts will focus on cooperation in R&D, training, new businesses, robotics, digitalisation, zero defect manufacturing and additive manufacturing.

The Western Hub, to be located in the Basque Country, will be set up by Basque firms Aernnova, Corporación Mondragón, IK4 Research Alliance, ITP Aero and Tecnalia, to stimulate and coordinate input from French, Portuguese and Spanish stakeholders.

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