The European Plastics Converters Association (EuPC, Brussels / Belgium; www.plasticsconverters.eu) is encouraging its members to participate in research projects and partnerships as part of the European Commission’s (EC) ongoing “EU Research and Technological Framework Programme” for 2007-2013, known as “FP 7”. As part of the innovation scheme’s EUR 10.8 bn budget for 2013, the Commission has announced support for R&D proposals worth EUR 8.1 bn.

Closing date for submitting the proposals for FP 7 is September 2012, and the monies will be awarded in 2013. Among other things, the focus of the research is on preservation of oceans and water, better use of raw materials, efficient energy and development of “smart cities.” Another key priority, according to the EC, is making Europe a destination for “world-class researchers.” The European Research Council is investing more than EUR 1.7 bn in the “best researchers,” and EUR 963m will be spent to support mobility. Small and medium-sized companies will receive special incentives worth EUR 1.2 bn.

Commenting on the latest tranche of the EU programme, EuPC managing director Alexandre Dangis said attention to research is more important now than ever to Europe’s competitiveness and should boost growth and employment. The “European Composites, Plastics & Polymer Processing Platform” (ECP4) was established in 2011 as an industry-wide plan to stimulate competitiveness. Dangis said EuPC and ECP4 need support from public funding sources to help finance research and innovation.

EuPC said it also will follow developments and funding opportunities for plastics converters to pursue research and innovation through the new EUR 80 bn “Horizon 2020 (2014-2020)” R&D promotion scheme announced by the Commission on 29 June of this year.