EU boosts innovation with new European partnerships in advanced materials, textiles and photovoltaics

The Commission has taken a key step in advancing Europes technological leadership and sustainability goals by creating three new European Partnerships in advanced materials, textiles, and photovoltaic technologies.

Established under Horizon Europe, these partnerships will drive growth, sustainability, and resilience, contributing to a strong, inclusive, and globally competitive Europe.

Identified as essential in the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025-2027, the three partnerships are:

European Partnership for Innovation in Photovoltaics: It will strengthen Europes position in the global photovoltaics industry, supporting the transition to renewable energy, particularly to solar power, as outlined in the European Green Deal and the REPowerEU Plan. It will scale up the European PV manufacturing capacity and reduce dependency on fossil fuels through collaboration across the entire PV value chain. The Commission and the private partners plan to invest up to €240 million each by 2030 in the partnership.
European Partnership for Textiles of the Future: It will drive the transformation of the textile industry towards sustainability and circularity, aligning with the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles. The initiative will leverage digital innovations and new business models within the sector and enhance Europes strategic autonomy. The Commission and the private partners plan to invest up to €30 million each by 2030 in this partnership.
European Partnership for Innovative Advanced Materials for the EU: In line with the Communication on Advanced Materials for Industrial Leadership, it will strengthen technology sovereignty and industrial competitiveness in advanced materials. The partnership will respond to industrial needs and accelerate the development of safe and sustainable advanced materials for the circular economy. The Commission and private partners plan to invest up to €250 million each by 2030 in this partnership.

Next steps

The Memorandum of Understanding forms the basis for cooperation between the Commission and other partners in a co-programmed partnership. Once adopted and signed, the partnerships will commence through dedicated Horizon Europe Work Programme calls, complemented by additional investments and activities by partners. The first funding opportunities under these new partnerships will be part of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025.

Later this year, a fourth co-programmed partnership on Virtual Worlds will be launched, aiming to shape open, interoperable, and secure virtual worlds aligned with Europes Digital Decade 2030 vision, promoting inclusivity, privacy, and business opportunities.

Background

The three new partnerships will complement and strengthen the existing portfolio of 12 co-programmed partnerships launched following the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2021-2024.

European Partnerships in Horizon Europe are collaborative initiatives that bring together private and/or public entities to address the EUs most pressing challenges through joint research and innovation activities.

Co-programmed European Partnerships involve the Commission and mostly private partners, often represented by industry associations. These partnerships facilitate joint commitments between the Commission and industry stakeholders to drive forward strategic research and innovation agendas. By bringing private and public partners together, co-programmed European Partnerships help align research and innovation efforts, leverage private investments, and avoid duplication and fragmentation within the EUs research and innovation landscape.