The programme, called Metallurgy Europe, will cover seven years and include contributions from 170 companies and laboratories from across 20 countries.
Some companies involved include Airbus Group, BP, Siemens, Daimler, Rolls-Royce, BMW, Thales, AvioAero, PSA Group, BAE Systems, Philips, Ruag, Sener, Bombardier, OHB Systems, Linde Group, ESI, Rolex, Richemont, ArcelorMittal, Sandvik, Bruker, SKF, Johnson Matthey, Tata Steel, GKN, Boston Scientific, ThyssenKrupp, Outokumpu, Haldor Topsøe and Fiat.
European organisations on board include the European Space Agency (ESA), European Powder Metallurgy Association (EPMA), the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), the Institut Laue Langevin (ILL), and the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy (CCFE-ITER).
High-tech metals age
Many breakthrough discoveries are expected and several tech start-ups and new factories have already been created in preparation for the mass manufacturing of the new alloys and products. The programme has the potential of creating over 100 000 new jobs in the materials, manufacturing and engineering sectors, according to its creators.
"This new programme allows us to enter the high-tech metals age," said Professor David Jarvis, the Chairman of Metallurgy Europe and Head of Strategic and Emerging Technologies at ESA.
"The top management of industry have come together for the first time on this important topic, and there is a confident feeling that Metallurgy Europe will deliver many unique, exciting and profitable technologies.”
