Warm welcome to Łukasiewicz – PIAP and Vigo Photonics

Łukasiewicz – PIAP and EIT Manufacturing had already forged ties in 2020, when they were established as the Polish RIS Hub to boost innovation in Poland, within the context of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology’s Regional Innovation Scheme (EIT RIS). This year, EIT Manufacturing could win Łukasiewicz – PIAP and Vigo Photonics as members.

Łukasiewicz – PIAP mainly specializes in production automation and robotics, mobile robotics for safety, 3D printing and space technologies, Vigo Photonics manufactures photonic mid-infrared detectors, modules dedicated to these detectors and semiconductor materials.

Signing the membership agreement was celebrated on the occasion of the inauguration of Łukasiewicz – PIAP as the Industry Contact Point Industry 4.0 for Horizon Europe 27 April 2022 in Warsaw. Dr Konstantinos Georgoulias, Director European Affairs and RIS, and Dr Christian Bölling, Director of the EIT Manufacturing Hub in Darmstadt, which is the contact point for the Polish community, attended the event.

From left to right: Dr Konstantinos Georgoulias (Director European Affairs and RIS, EIT Manufacturing), Jan Filip Stanilko (Strategy and Operations Director, VIGO photonics), Dr Christian Bölling (Director EIT Manufacturing Central), Piotr Szynkarczyk (Director Łukasiewic – PIAP).

“It was an honour to be part of an event which is a milestone in making Horizon Europe programmes better accessible in Poland,” says Mr Georgoulias. “For us, it’s of particular importance to strengthen collaboration with the Polish manufacturing industry.” This industry is a considerable economic factor, employing 2.8 million people already in 2020 according to information from Eurostat.

Mr Georgoulias adds: “In the manufacturing industry, many relevant suppliers, subcontractors and solution providers are located in EIT RIS eligible countries, including Poland, providing high quality products and services. The importance of an integrated, resilient and strong pan-European manufacturing sector with the ability to independently produce strategically important parts and products for the European market has been stressed again during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Regional Innovation Scheme is an integral part of all the EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities’ activities and initiatives with the aim to further develop and leverage the innovative potential and talent in RIS countries. To achieve this, continuous exchange with stakeholders in the regions is essential.”

“I had the pleasure to meet with several Polish manufacturing representatives already in October 2021 and see great potential for collaboration. I’m particularly pleased that we were able to win Vigo System, a fast-growing, innovative SME from the photonics high-tech sector. Supporting SMEs is one of the missions of EIT Manufacturing,” says Mr Bölling.

EIT Manufacturing will connect Łukasiewicz – PIAP and VIGO System with relevant networks and stakeholders in Europe. For the area of high-tech industry, this applies in particular to the ecosystem in Dresden and Jena, a centre for photonic and optoelectronic solutions.

The new members were celebrated as part of Łukasiewic – PIAP being inaugurated as the National Industry Contact Point Industry 4.0 for Horizon Europe projects.

More information on Industry Contact Points

Industry Contact Points (ICP) will support entrepreneurs and scientists in applying for EU funding for research and innovation under the Horizon Europe programme. ICP will among others organize specialist training on the possibilities of applying for funds from Horizon Europe, creating consortia, arranging meetings of research and business partners, representing of Polish entities in the international associations and looking for foreign partners for them.