Aarhus, Denmark Study Visit and SGM Report

In the ongoing work towards helping European regions improve their local innovation ecosystems, particularly with regards to advanced materials, partners and stakeholders of the P2L2 project metcongregating in Aarhus, Denmark for a series of round table discussions to evaluate the current status of the project, report on recent achievements and set concrete plans for the next crucial stages of the project.

While in Denmark, partners and stakeholders visited key Danish institutions and public bodies that work with policy instruments that have to do with innovation, advanced materials, and the evaluation of the region's smart specialization strategies.

The event was hosted by the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science. Participants learned about the Danish Cluster Strategy and cooperation model and the process of implementing smart specialization strategy in a regional context.

Tours included visits to:

Advanced Nonwoven, which develops, builds and participates in operating manufacturing lines for sustainable nonwoven products
The LEGO Group, a privately held company based in Denmark.
Terma, which develops and manufactures mission-critical products and solutions in the aerospace, defense and security sector. Terma is a supplier of high-end niche products, technologies and capabilities.
NAVITAS, which brings together science, education and entrepreneurs and companies in the same house to create the framework of a leading knowledge environment were the boundaries between commercial business development and public funded research and education are torn down.
Nanoscience Center at Aarhus University, - Advance Nonwoven – www.advancenonwoven.dk

iNano, which has strong and expanding activities in the areas of chemical and physical surface modification, catalysis, and nano-energy materials.
Business Development Centre – Central Jutland, or in Danish Væksthus Midtjylland, is a non-profit organisation, partly financed by national and regional authorities. The Business Development Centre is specialised in assisting entrepreneurs and SMEs with growth and development of their businesses offering the appropriate counseling that will enable the business to develop and grow.

Danish Technological Instititue, which helps Danish companies develop methods, products and processes to make sure that they can stay ahead in the fast moving world of industrial production.
Danish Materials Network, which offers matchmaking, distribution of data and education in materials technology. In addition, DMN carries out demonstration projects in colla- boration with Danish companies, universities, government institutions and leading knowledge institutions at home and abroad.
Inno-Pro, an innovation cluster for companies working in areas such as advanced materials, mechatronics, specialized metals and materials processing, engineering and testing services, IT, software and communication solutions, as well as other high-tech businesses.