Transcript Industries innovate

European Regions
transitioning
to
Lower Carbon Economies
Ensuring the “Chemistry”
in Europe’s Regions
is Ripe for Innovation?
Russel Mills
Dow Europe & SusChem
Fostering Competitiveness through Innovation.
Brussels – 7th March 2007.
Technology
Platform
Company
HLG
CEE
Common Interest in Effective Innovation
• Frameworks to facilitate innovations
• Enabling leadership in resource efficiencies in EU
• Implementing NOW (before other regions value)
Fostering Competitiveness through Innovation - Russel Mills – 7th March 2007 - Brussels
Overview
1. Understanding future Innovation
- in lower carbon economies
2. Enabling needed Innovations
- total value chain resource efficiency
3. Speeding that Innovation
- stakeholders focusing on progress
Fostering Competitiveness through Innovation - Russel Mills – 7th March 2007 - Brussels
1. Understanding Future Innovation
Some reminders on innovation :
In knowledge economy, generating knowledge
is the start (initial investment)
– Converting investments in know-how or new ideas
(research) back into wealth & jobs is the goal
Focus is on excellence
– “outperforming the alternatives”
We’re all involved
– equally applicable to older (thriving) industries
Fostering Competitiveness through Innovation - Russel Mills – 7th March 2007 - Brussels
1. Understanding Future Innovation
Innovation requires Portfolio approach
- Incremental + Breakthrough
- Continuous incremental improvements yield real value
Imagine if our
industry/company
performance
was copied
by EU citizens
or USA citizens
EU: climate goals
USA: no M.E. imports
Fostering Competitiveness through Innovation - Russel Mills – 7th March 2007 - Brussels
2. Value Chain innovation
Transitioning to low resource economies requires efficiency in
every step of the value chain – “Chemistry” often key enabler
Petroleum
Minerals
Biomass
Chemicals
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•
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Energy
Transport
Construction
Health and hygiene
Safe food supply
Communications
Clothing & furnishings
Recreation etc.
By-products & waste streams
Fostering Competitiveness through Innovation - Russel Mills – 7th March 2007 - Brussels
2. Chemistry Value Chain Innovations
More intelligent
bio-mass use via
bio-refinery concept
i.e. turning waste
into higher value
Chemicals or Fuel
Fostering Competitiveness through Innovation - Russel Mills – 7th March 2007 - Brussels
2. Chemistry Value Chain Innovations
From batch to
continuous plus
Process
Intensification gains
27 m
Reducing space,
waste , energy,
defects etc.
Fostering Competitiveness through Innovation - Russel Mills – 7th March 2007 - Brussels
2.5
m
2. Chemistry Value Chain Innovations
Catalysis, process
technology and/or
chemicals to enable
CO2 capture
Making CCS
economically
viable at scale
Fostering Competitiveness through Innovation - Russel Mills – 7th March 2007 - Brussels
2. Chemistry Value Chain Innovations
Integrated approaches
for the smart energy
homes of the future
Making use of
fuel cells, thin
film solar, bio-gas,
phase change
materials etc.
Fostering Competitiveness through Innovation - Russel Mills – 7th March 2007 - Brussels
2. Chemistry Value Chain Innovations
Raw materials
Manufacture
• Lightweight plastics and
composites
• Paint to increase durability
• Improved efficiency seals
Distribution
• Antifouling paints to
reduce marine
pollution and fuel
consumption
• Lower VOC paints
• Biodegradable metal
working fluids
Use
Disposal/recycle
• Adhesives which aid
disassembly
• Lubricants and fuel additives to
improve fuel economy and emissions
• Exhaust catalysts
• Biofuels
• Fuel cells and other new power units
Fostering Competitiveness through Innovation - Russel Mills – 7th March 2007 - Brussels
2. Chemistry Value Chain Innovations
Platinum
nanoparticle
catalyst for
fuel cells
Bio-based tyre tread
for 2-6% energy savings
Biomass co-firing for coal power
plant and industrial CHP
(Combined Heat and Power)
to optimise both resource use
& energy efficiency
Fostering Competitiveness through Innovation - Russel Mills – 7th March 2007 - Brussels
3. Speeding Progress
Taste is the enemy
of Creativity
Perfection is the
enemy of Innovation
There are never
perfect solutions,
but there are
always better
alternatives
Fostering Competitiveness through Innovation - Russel Mills – 7th March 2007 - Brussels
3. Speeding Progress
Industries innovate - Governments enable
• We will innovate more, the only question is where
– First support & stimulate before you regulate
– Prioritise! - we invest where we can be world-class
Chemical industry is key enabler for industrial innovation
• Support initiatives to integrate chemistry processes that
facilitate downstream innovations
– Ensuring “Sustainable Chemistry” is sustained in EU
Support early deployment and market pull initiatives
• More assertive use of our market power will ensure most
resource efficient innovators implement first in the EU
Fostering Competitiveness through Innovation - Russel Mills – 7th March 2007 - Brussels
For more information
SusChem: visit www.suschem.org
or email [email protected]
Dow: Surf at www.dow.com to review our
commitments to energy efficiency, renewables
& climate change
HLG on Competitiveness, Energy &
Environment: 3rd report that focuses on
innovation available on site of DG Enterprise
Fostering Competitiveness through Innovation - Russel Mills – 7th March 2007 - Brussels
The “Chemistry” is ripe for Innovation
Summary
• Resource efficiency already offers high value growth
– Implementation NOW is key to maintain advantage
• Off-shoring world class energy intensive industries will
not contribute to global climate change problem
– Improving efficiency NOW (in EU) will contribute
• Some already implement integrated approaches that
build on enabling technologies (such as Chemistry)
– IS YOUR REGION OPEN (NOW) TO IMPLEMENT SUCH
INNOVATIONS?
Fostering Competitiveness through Innovation - Russel Mills – 7th March 2007 - Brussels