R4R · Chemical Regions for Resource Efficiency, R4R: Improving research and cooperation in the areas of resources and energy efficiency in the Chemicals Industry

Societal challenges, RTD and innovation offer opportunities to rejuvenate and transform the resource intensive chemical and process industries into eco-efficient high-tech solution providers, by switching to bio-based feedstock, improving efficiency of processes, by recycling waste materials and by looking at industry as an integrated system (industrial symbiosis). Objective of the Chemicals Regions for Resource Efficiency project (R4R) is to overcome European fragmentation of ambitious and innovative regions, to improve triple helix collaboration within and between some of the most process intensive European regions by 1) analyzing and benchmarking successful regional technology innovation systems (TIS) within six complementary regions that target three specific technology domains (alternative feedstock, resource efficient processes and recycling); 2) based on this analyses improving synergies between regions through aligned regional, national and European Joint Action Plans and innovation roadmaps; 3) promoting internationalization, with a strong focus on SMEs, through an international cluster platform on resource efficient regions, embedded in the SusChem ETP; 4) disseminating a toolset and experience on technology innovation system analyses (TIS), to European regions in cluster platform. Accelerating innovation in this domain promises enormous impact in resource efficiency by 2030 i.e. a major CO2- footprint reduction of up to 50%, meaning reducing 0.5 GtCO2e annually, a potential 10-fold increase in (bio)renewable raw materials as feedstock (e.g. incl. end of life recyclables), a 30% reduction in primary energy consumption and a 20% reduction in raw materials net use (e.g. mineral, chemical, bio-based feedstock) and secondary (e.g. water and other auxiliary materials) materials, by increasing chemical and physical transformation yields. R4R targets increased global competitiveness and new high-quality jobs through a sustainable European process industry.