Smart specialization

Within R4R, the chemical regions will assess and develop their smart specialization with regards to resource efficiency technologies and in accordance with their own strategic objectives and technology focus.

Västra Götaland Stenungsund (Sweden)

Intends to become the first fossil-independent economy by 2030 through a technology focus based on alternative and bio-based feedstock and energy for chemical production – with a particular eye on materials and energy exchange.

North Rhine Westphalia (Germany)

Intends to double the economic growth rate while reducing Co2 emissions by 25% from the current levels by addressing resource efficient industrial processes and developing symbiotic approaches between chemical, steel, energy and biotech industries.

South-West Netherlands (The Netherlands)

Intends to boost the bio-based economy by highlighting bio-based building blocks for performance materials, chemicals and coatings and by increasing the process industry sustainability through innovative and lifecycle solutions.

Port of Rotterdam (The Netherlands)

Intends to achieve the smallest ecological footprint per ton-kilometer in the world while reducing the overall CO2 emissions of up 50% through a transformation of post-industrial and post-consumer waste stream into valuable feedstock for the process industries.

Aragon (Spain)

Intends to develop a strategy for Eco innovation through several means such as efficiency in the use of primary feedstock and bio-products.

In the long term, the knowledge exchange led by R4R will help to design regional policy, legislation, funding structures, education, support mechanisms and funding thus in accordance with regional specialization.