As the European Commission prepares for the adoption of the Advanced Materials Act later this year, the Scientific Advice Mechanism has delivered its advice to the Commission. The overarching recommendation was to “ensure that policies for advanced materials prioritise EU values related to autonomy, safety and sustainability, and prosperity.”
Advanced materials are designed to deliver enhanced or new functionalities and are central to Europe’s technological leadership and economic resilience. They play a key role across sectors such as clean energy, digital technologies and healthcare. However, despite a strong scientific base, Europe faces persistent challenges, including fragmented research and innovation ecosystems, lower levels of private investment compared to global competitors, and barriers in bringing innovations to market.