New materials as a key driver of Europe’s industrial transformation

The European Union is undergoing a pivotal moment in its evolution, facing the urgent need to reconcile industrial competitiveness with climate neutrality and environmental sustainability. At the heart of this transition lies a powerful duo: Innovative Advanced Materials (IAM) and Safe and Sustainable by Design Materials (SSbD). Through the Horizon Europe programme and its Cluster 4 – which focuses on digital, industry and space – the European Commission prioritises funding and research that places these materials at the centre of its industrial and environmental strategy.

This approach represents a strategic response to complex challenges such as climate change, microplastic pollution, raw material scarcity, and geopolitical dependencies. IAM and SSbD are particularly well equipped to tackle these, enabling the development of clean technologies, supporting circular economic models and offering alternatives to critical raw materials.

In fact, the shift towards IAM is not merely a technological trend, but a necessity. To reach its net-zero emissions targets, the EU must deploy materials that provide greater energy efficiency, lower greenhouse gas emissions and remain durable throughout their life cycles. In this regard, advanced materials are enabling breakthroughs in battery technologies, photovoltaics and energy-efficient infrastructure—cornerstones of a sustainable energy future.

The demand for a circular economy also highlights the value of SSbD. Traditional throwaway culture is no longer viable. The EU needs materials that are recyclable, repairable and safe across their entire life span. SSbD focuses on integrating these characteristics from the earliest design stages, ensuring products are environmentally safe and economically feasible. Further compounding the Europe’s dependence on imported critical raw materials, which exposes it to geopolitical and supply chain vulnerabilities. IAM offers opportunities to substitute or reduce this dependency through high-performance alternatives based on more abundant or locally available resources.

Facing reality

Despite their great potential, IAM and SSbD face significant challenges.

• Technological barriers: developing new materials—especially at the nanoscale—requires precise control and extensive R&D. Scaling up these innovations for industrial use remains a complex task.
• Costs and commercialisation: high development costs can hinder market adoption. IAM and SSbD must compete economically with traditional materials, making affordability and scalability key priorities.
• Regulatory gaps: current regulatory frameworks are not always equipped to manage the risks and properties of new IAM. Adapting these systems to ensure safety without stifling innovation is essential.
• Skills and data: this materials revolution demands a highly skilled workforce. At the same time, data on materials’ life cycles, toxicity and sustainability are crucial but often scarce. Establishing shared methodologies and improving data accessibility is fundamental for SSbD.

In the energy sector, materials such as perovskites [crystalline compounds used in next-generation solar cells] improve solar efficiency, while advanced electrodes boost storage capacity in batteries for electric vehicles and renewable energy. In construction, self-healing concrete and bio-based insulation reduce emissions and extend infrastructure life spans. In transport, lightweight composites cut emissions and extend electric vehicle range. In electronics, progress is being made toward recyclable materials and alternatives to scarce or toxic elements. In healthcare, biocompatible and smart materials enable safer implants, targeted drug delivery and regenerative therapies—all aligned with the principles of sustainable design.

From vision to implementation

Horizon Europe 2025 acts as a catalyst for this transformation. By funding interdisciplinary collaboration and aligning innovation with sustainability, this programme is building a framework in which IAM and SSbD can thrive. The 2025 Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda, under the IAM4EU partnership for advanced materials, sets out a mission-oriented approach: integrating safety, sustainability and performance from the earliest stages of innovation. The SSbD framework is not an add-on, but a guiding principle shaping the entire materials development ecosystem.

Fulfilling the promise of IAM and SSbD requires joint action. Authorities must modernise regulations to support innovation while ensuring safety. Industry needs to embrace sustainable materials as a competitive advantage, integrating them into design and production. Education and training are essential to close the skills gap and build the necessary expertise. Likewise, public awareness can drive demand for sustainable solutions. Only through coordinated efforts across all sectors can the EU fully unlock the potential of advanced materials and lead the global transition towards a sustainable and resilient future.

The EU’s strategic focus on IAM and SSbD under the Horizon Europe umbrella is both timely and transformative, reflecting the notion that materials are not mere passive enablers but active agents of change. With determined investment, smart regulation and broad societal collaboration, IAM and SSbD can turn today’s major challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities.