S_LIFE

European Synergies and Co-operation for Sustainable vehicle along the Life-Cycle

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The whole transport industry has to tackle major world-wide challenges such as combating climate change, sustainable use and management of natural resources and waste, energy saving, reducing CO2 emissions, etc. In this context, Europe has adopted ambitious goals towards 50% more efficient road transport system by 2030 decoupling economical growth with transport development needs, overcoming energy and economic crisis, accelerating catch up with the US and keeping ahead of rapidly developing Asian countries. The technological development of specific parts of the value chain is recognized as potential sources for technological progress with significant economic growth. However, since advanced technologies of each component of the transport-related industry are often based on certain stand-alone paths (e.g. addressing only recycling of old vehicles, or only design and construction of new-ones, not looking at the entire value chain) is challenged by several hurtles, it is critical to develop a more holistic and integrated approach of the entire value chain of this industry. Indeed, only such an approach will enable the whole sector to move up a gear in greening its entire life cycle from conception and construction, via use, end-of-life and deconstruction to waste valorisation. To this end, the S_LIFE project aims at a developing the cooperation between EU world-wide class clusters in order to help them develop new scientific (multi-disciplinary research environment), economic (new business model covering entire value chain) and structural (RTD and new technologies-oriented) coherent greening solutions all along the value chain. S_LIFE project will develop strategies and a Joint action plan to link, mobilize and coordinate regional resources with more focus on this challenge. The project will develop tools to assess the regional research potential, share and disseminate best practices through inter-regional joint programs and suggest appropriate financial support.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

An EU project is helping the automotive industry use materials more sustainably by fostering collaboration and defining research priorities. Work to date has yielded a vision for 2030, and a plan for joint action among research clusters.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Europe aims for a 50 % more efficient road transportation system by 2030. One of the automotive sector's many responses to the goal is more sustainable use of materials.

The EU-funded 'European synergies and co-operation for sustainable vehicle along the life-cycle' (http://s-life-project.eu/ (S_LIFE)) project aims to help the industry meet the objective. The means include enhancing European transnational research and fostering collaboration. The project intends to assess the capacity of regional clusters, define common research priorities, and strengthen regional and European knowledge. The seven-member consortium will run through all of 2012 to 2014.

Team members began by defining project methodologies. The procedures combined both top-down and bottom-up approaches, translated into a literature analysis and stakeholder interviews. Hence, the project obtained a list of interested parties and research infrastructures, plus a set of key challenges to be addressed. The team compiled a catalogue of existing funding possibilities.

The preliminary work yielded a 2030 Vision Document, which presents a clear view of market expectations, plus a list of priority research topics. Combined, the documents constitute a Joint Action Plan (a key deliverable), which defines a list of collective actions for improving collaboration between regional research clusters.

Consistently with other 'Region of Knowledge' projects, S_LIFE identified the needs of less-advanced regions, in preparation for a future full mentoring programme. Dissemination activities to date include two press releases and a website, and hosting of the project's first public conference.

The project will impact on the seven instruments of European transportation policy, including accelerated development of relevant green technologies. Furthermore, sector research will be more coordinated and linked, and hence efficient, making it better able to deliver the needed innovations.