The European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC) attended the European Commission’s (EC) key enabling technologies high level commission’s first meeting.
This expert group has been launched to assist the EC in the implementation of a strategy to boost the industrial production of key enabling technologies in Europe. Key enabling technologies include nanotechnology, micro- and nanoelectronics, advanced materials, biotechnology and photonics. According to EPIC, these technologies aid the automotive, communication, aeronautics, defence and health industries and their combined global market is expected to grow to over one trillion euros by 2016.
Carlos Lee is director general of EPIC. EPIC is a membership-led not-for-profit industry association that promotes the sustainable development of organisations working in the field of photonics. Lee said: ‘Key technologies offer a fantastic opportunity for all of Europe, we must explore and embrace its potential. Especially in Photonics, there are many opportunities ahead of us.’
The EC adopted its strategy for key enabling technologies on 26 June 2012. The strategy's high level commission is being led by the European Commissioner for industry and enterprise, Antonio Tajani, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, Commissioner for research and innovation, and Johannes Hahn, the Commissioner for the regional policy.
