PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION ADOPTING A MULTIANNUAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY IN THE FIELD OF THE APPLICATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES
Date: 1983-06-20
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU programme, distribution of EU funding, industrial research, materials technology, research programme, scientific cooperation

ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES 
DE LA COMMISSION 

COLLECTION RELIEE DES 
DOCUMENTS "COM" 

COM (83) 350 

Vol. 1983/0139 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Disclaimer 

Conformément  au  règlement  (CEE,  Euratom)  n°  354/83  du  Conseil  du  1er  février  1983 
concernant  l'ouverture  au  public  des  archives  historiques  de  la  Communauté  économique 
européenne et de la Communauté européenne de l'énergie atomique (JO L 43 du 15.2.1983, 
p.  1), tel que modifié  par le règlement (CE,  Euratom) n° 1700/2003  du  22 septembre 2003 
(JO L 243 du 27.9.2003, p. 1), ce dossier est ouvert au public. Le cas échéant, les documents 
classifiés  présents  dans  ce  dossier  ont  été  déclassifiés  conformément  à  l'article  5  dudit 
règlement. 

In  accordance  with  Council  Regulation  (EEC,  Euratom)  No  354/83  of  1  February  1983 
concerning  the  opening  to  the  public  of  the  historical  archives  of  the  European  Economic 
Community  and  the  European  Atomic  Energy  Community  (OJ  L  43,  15.2.1983,  p.  1),  as 
amended  by  Regulation  (EC,  Euratom)  No  1700/2003  of  22  September  2003  (OJ  L  243, 
27.9.2003, p. 1), this file is open to the public. Where necessary, classified documents in this 
file have been declassified in conformity with Article 5 of the aforementioned regulation. 

In  Übereinstimmung  mit  der  Verordnung  (EWG,  Euratom)  Nr.  354/83  des  Rates  vom  1. 
Februar  1983  über  die  Freigabe  der  historischen  Archive  der  Europäischen 
Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft und der Europäischen Atomgemeinschaft (ABI. L 43 vom 15.2.1983, 
S. 1), geändert durch die Verordnung (EG, Euratom) Nr. 1700/2003 vom 22. September 2003 
(ABI.  L  243  vom  27.9.2003,  S.  1),  ist  diese  Datei  der  Öffentlichkeit  zugänglich.  Soweit 
erforderlich,  wurden  die  Verschlusssachen  in  dieser  Datei  in Übereinstimmung mit  Artikel  5 
der genannten Verordnung freigegeben. 

 
COMMISSION  OF  THE   E U R O P E AN   COMMUNITIES 

COM(83)  350 

f i n al 

B r u s s e ls  20  June  1983 

P r o p o s al  

f or  a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

adopting  a  multiannual  research  and  development  programme  of  the 

European  Economic  Community  in  the  f i e ld  of  basic  technological  research 

Proposal  for  a 

COUNCIL  DECISION 

adopting  a  multiannual  research  and  development  programme  of  the 

European  Economic  Community  in  the  f i e ld  of  the  applications  of 

new  technologies 

(presented  by  the  Commission  to  the  Council) 

COM(83)  350 

f i n al 

CONTENTS 

R E S E A R CH   A C T I ON   PROGRAMME  ON  I N D U S T R I AL   T E C H N O L O G I ES 

I. 

O b j e c t i v es   of 

t he   p r o g r a m me 

I I. 

C o n t e nt   of 

t he   p r o g r a m me 

I I I.  

T he 

r o le  of 

t he  C o m m u n i ty 

I V. 

M a n a g e m e nt  of 

t he  A c t i on  P r o g r a m me 

V.  

E x p r e s s i o ns  of 

i n t e r e st 

a nd  s u b m i s s i on  of  p r o p o s a ls

V I.  

S m a l l-   a nd  m e d i u m - s i z ed  e n t e r p r i s es 

V I I. 

G e n e r al 

P a ge 

1 

2 

4 

8 

12 

1 3. 

14 

A n n ex  

I 

-  B R I EF   D E S C R I P T I ON   OF  E X I S T I NG   S U B - P R O G R A M M ES  

16 

A n n ex  

II  

-  B A S IC   T E C H N O L O G I C AL   R E S E A R CH  

-  PROGRAMME  P R O P O S AL 

I. 

I n t r o d u c t i on  

I I. 

T he 

r o le  of 

t he  C o m m u n i ty 

I I I. 

M a n a g e m e nt  of 

t he  p r o g r a m me 

I V. 

E x p r e s s i o ns  of 

i n t e r e st 

a nd 

t e n d er 

V.  

S m a l l-   a nd  m e d i u m - s i z ed  e n t e r p r i s es 

V I. 

T e c h n i c al  c o n t e nt  of 

t he  p r o g r a m me 

V I I. 

F u n d i ng  of 

t he  p r o g r a m me  a nd  s t a f f i ng  n e e ds 

V I I I.  

G e n e r al 

P r o p o s al  

f or  C o u n c il  D e c i s i on 

A n n ex  

32 

34 

36 

38 

39 

40 

60 

62 

63 

66 

 
Annex 

III 

-  APPLICATION  OF  NEW  TECHNOLOGIES  (CLOTHING 

MANUFACTURE) 

-  PROGRAMME  PROPOSAL 

I. 

I n t r o d u c t i on 

I I. 

The  r o le  of 

t he  Community 

I I I. 

Management  of 

t he  programme 

I V. 

E x p r e s s i o ns  of 

i n t e r e st  and  t e n d er 

V.  

S m a l l-  and  m e d i u m - s i z ed 

e n t e r p r i s es 

V I. 

The  t e c h n i c al  c o n t e nt  of 

t he  programme 

V I I. 

F u n d i ng  of 

t he  programme  and  s t a f f i ng  n e e ds 

V I I I.   G e n e r al 

P r o p o s al  

f or  C o u n c il  D e c i s i on 

Annex 

Page 

70 

72 

73 

77 

78 

79 

84 

86 

88 

91 

1 

RESEARCH-ACTION-PROGRAMME  ON  I N D U S T R I AL   TECHNOLOGIES 

I. 

0 b 2 e c t ^ v e _ o f _ t h e _ p r o g r a m me 

1.  

H i gh  

T e c h n o l o gy  

i n d u s t r i es 

( i n f o r m a t i on  

t e c h n o l o g y, 

b i o t e c h n o l o g y)  

w i ll   u n d o u b t e d ly   p l ay  a   m a j or   and  g r o w i ng   r o le 

in  

t he   C o m m u n i t y.  

The 

o t h er 

s e c t o rs 

of 

i n d u s t ry  

w i l l, 

h o w e v e r,  

f or  t he 

f o r e s e e a b le 

f u t u r e, 

c o n t i n ue 

to   make 

a 

s u b s t a n t i al  

c o n t r i b u t i on 

to 

t he   G.D.P. 

of 

t he   C o m m u n i t y. 

T h e se   s e c t o rs   w i l l,  

a c c o r d i n g l y,   r e m a in   an  e s s e n t i al   e l e m e nt 

in  

d e a l i ng 

w i th 

t he  

e c o n o m ic  

and 

s o c i al  

p r o b l e ms  

of 

t he 

C o m m u n i t y.  

The  i m p r o v e m e nt   of   t h e ir   c o m p e t i t i v e n e ss   must  be 

a  m a j or   t a r g et  f or   C o m m u n i ty   R &D 

p o l i cy  and  is  t h e r e f o re 

a 

m a j or   o b j e c t i ve  of  t he   f r a m e w o rk   p r o g r a m m e. 

2. 

The  R e s e a r ch   A c t i on   P r o g r a m me   on  I n d u s t r i al 

T e c h n o l o g i es 

is   t he   means  f or  t he   i m p l e m e n t a t i on   of  t he  p o l i cy   l i n es   of 

t he  r e l e v a nt  s e c t i on  of  t he   f r a m e w o rk   p r o g r a m m e.  

It   s e e ks   to 

d e f i ne 

t he  

p r o p er  

r o le 

of   C o m m u n i ty  

s u p p o r t ed  

R  & 

D 

in 

h e l p i ng 

to   r e m o ve  

or  

r e d u ce  

o b s t a c l es 

to 

t r a de 

and 

t he 

e n c o u r a g e m e nt  

of 

t e c h n o l o g i c al 

r e s e a r ch 

( s i t u a t ed   b e t w e en 

b a s ic  

r e s e a r ch 

and  

p r o d u ct  

d e v e l o p m e n t)  

in 

t he 

p r e-

c o m p e t i t i ve 

s t a g e, 

w h i le 

r e c o g n i z i ng 

t he  

p r i m a ry 

r e s p o n s i b i l i ty   of  t he  i n d u s t ry  in   t h i s. 

3.  

On 

t he 

b a s is  of   t h e se   g e n e r al 

c o n s i d e r a t i o n s, 

two 

new 

s u b - p r o g r a m m es  

a re 

p r e s e n t e d, 

one 

f or  b a s ic 

t e c h n o l o g i c al 

r e s e a r ch  

( a n n ex  

I I) 

and 

t he 

o t h er 

f or  a p p l i c a t i on  of 

new 

t e c h n o l o g i es   ( a n n ex   I I I ). 

4. 

In  c o n s i d e r i ng   w h at   a re  t he  

p r i o r i t i es   w i t h in  t he  

f i e l ds 

c o v e r ed  

by 

t h is   R e s e a r ch  

A c t i on   P r o g r a m m e,  

t he 

v a l ue 

of 

C o m m u n i ty  

i n i t i a t i v es  

w i ll  

be  d e t e r m i n ed  

n ot 

o n ly 

by  

t h e ir 

c o n t r i b u t i on   to  t he   o v e r a ll   p r o b l e ms   p r o p er   to   E u r o p e an  

R &D 

and 

i ts 

t e c h n o l o g i c al 

a p p l i c a t i o ns 

b ut 

a l so 

by 

g e n e r al 

-  2  -

c o n s i d e r a t i o ns   of  a  

s o c i al  

a nd   e c o n o m ic  

n a t u re 

( i n c l u d i ng 

t h o se  

c o n t r i b u t i ng   to   w o r k i ng  

c o n d i t i o ns  

a nd  

h e a l th   a nd 

s a f e t y)  

a nd 

in  

p a r t i c u l ar  

by  

i n d u s t r i al  

s t r a t e gy 

c o n s i d e r a t i o n s.  

M o r e o v e r,  

if  f u ll   a d v a n t a ge   is to  be   t a k en 

of  p r o g r e ss  

of  a   t e c h n o l o g i c al  n a t u re 

t h e re   m u st   b e,  

w h e re 

n e c e s s a r y, 

p r o g r e ss   m a de  on   o t h er   p r o b l e ms   p a r t i c u l a r ly  

t h o se 

of   an   i n d u s t r i al  

s t r a t e gy 

c h a r a c t e r.  

R &D  c an   c o n t r i b u te   to 

t he 

s o l u t i on   of  t he   p r o b l e ms   of   E u r o p e an   i n d u s t r y;  

a l o ne  it 

is  

i n s u f f i c i e n t. 

I I.  

C o n t e n t _ of   t he   p r o g r a m me 

5. 

T h is 

a c t i on   p r o g r a m me   on  

i n d u s t r i al  

t e c h n o l o g i es  

g r o u ps 

t o g e t h er 

w i t h in   a  c o m m on   m a n a g e m e nt  

s t r u c t u re   a  n u m b er   of 

e x i s t i ng   a nd   p l a n n ed   R &D  

a c t i v i t i e s,  

t he  

o b j e c t i v es   of 

w h i ch  

r e l a te 

p r i m a r i ly   to  t he   p r o m o t i on   of  t he  

i n d u s t r i al 

c o m p e t i t i v i ty  

of  

i n d u s t r i es 

o t h er  

t h an  

h i g h - t e c h n o l o gy 

i n d u s t r i e s.  

T he   m a in   s e c t i o ns   of  t he   p r o g r a m me   a nd   c u r r e n t^ 

or   p l a n n ed   s u b - p r o g r a m m es   a re as   f o l l o w s: 

a. 

A c t i o ns 

w i th  

t he  

o b j e c t i ve  

of  

r e m o v i ng  

or  

r e d u c i ng 

o b s t a c l es   to   t r a de 

1)   B CR   ( e x i s t i ng   p r o g r a m me  

w i th   J RC   p a r t i c i p a t i o n) 

2)   N u c l e ar   m e a s u r e m e n ts  

( e x i s t i ng   p r o g r a m me   -  J RC   G e e l) 

b. 

M u l t i s e c t o r al 

r e s e a r c h,  

i . e.  

r e s e a r ch  

on  

i n d u s t r i al 

t e c h n o l o g i es 

h a v i ng 

a p p l i c a t i on   in   s e v e r al  

i n d u s t r i al 

s e c t o rs 

1)  

B a s ic 

t e c h n o l o g i c al 

r e s e a r ch  

( p r o g r a m me  

p r o p o s al 

a t t a c h e d) 

1 

S ee  A n n ex   I  f or  a  

b r i ef  

d e s c r i p t i on   of  t he   e x i s t i ng   s u b-

p r o g r a m m es  . 

-  3  -

2)   H i gh  

t e m p e r a t u re  

m a t e r i a ls  

( e x i s t i ng   p r o g r a m me  

- 

J RC 

P e t t en 

3)   C O ST  

( e x i s t i ng   a nd  

p l a n n ed  

a c t i o n s) 

c. 

A p p l i c a t i on 

of 

new 

t e c h n o l o g i es 

to

s p e c i f i 0 

i n d u s t r i al 

s e c t o rs 

1) 

T e x t i l es  

( e x i s t i ng   p r o g r a m m e) 

2)  

R e s e a r ch  

f or 

t he  

s t e el  

i n d u s t ry  

( e x i s t i ng  

E C SC 

p r o g r a m m e) 

3)  A p p l i c a t i on  of  new 

t e c h n o l o g i es 

-  C l o t h i ng

  M a n u f a c t u re 

( p r o g r a m me   p r o p o s al  

a t t a c h e d) 

d. 

P i l ot  

p r o j e c t s, 

i . e.  

p r o j e c ts 

to  

t a ke  

r e s e a r ch 

in 

s e l e c t ed   a r e as  

to  t he 

p o i nt 

of

  d e m o n s t r a t i ng   e c o n o m ic  

as 

w e ll  

as 

t e c h n i c al  

f e a s i b i l i ty  

at  

f u ll  

p r o d u c t i on 

s c a l e, 

u n d er  

a r r a n g e m e n ts  

w h i ch  

w o u ld  

n ot 

c o n f er 

e x c l u s i ve 

a d v a n t a g es   on 

t he 

f i r ms  

d i r e c t ly  

i n v o l v e d. 

1) 

P i l ot  

p r o j e c ts 

f or 

t he  

s t e el  

i n d u s t ry 

( n ew  

E C SC 

p r o g a m me   ) 

2)  

P i l ot  

p r o j e c ts 

f or 

b a s ic 

t e c h n o l o g i c al 

r e s e a r ch 

a nd 

c l o t h i ng  

m a n u f a c t u re  

( i n c l u d ed 

in 

t he  

p r o p o s ed 

p r o g r a m m es   a n n e x e d) 

6. 

A p a rt  

f r om  

t he 

r e s e a r ch  

p r o g r a m m es  

l i s t ed  

a b o v e,  

o t h er 

a c t i v i t i es   w i t h in 

t he 

A c t i on   P r o g a m me  

w i ll  

i n c l u de  

s i t u a t i on 

a n a l y s es 

a nd 

p r o j e c t i o ns 

in  t he

  f o rm  

of  " c a s e - s t u d i e s" 

to 

be 

u n d e r t a k en  

by 

t he  

C o m m i s s i on  

in 

c l o se 

c o - o p e r a t i on 

w i th 

i n d u s t r y.  

S u ch   c a s e - s t u d i es  

w i ll   n e ed   to  i n v o l ve 

t he 

a c t i ve 

a nd 

d i r e ct  

p a r t i c i p a t i on  

of 

a   n u m b er  

of 

f i r ms 

in 

s e l e c t ed 

s e c t o rs 

of 

i n d u s t ry  

u n d er  

a r r a n g e m e n ts  

w h i ch  

w i ll  

e n s u re 

r e a dy   a c c e ss  

of 

o t h e rs 

to 

t he 

r e s u l ts  of 

t he 

s t u d i e s. 

T he 

a im 

of 

t he 

s t u d i es  

w i ll  

be 

to   a n a l y se   w h i ch   new 

t e c h n o l o g i es 

c o u ld 

be 

a p p l i ed 

s u c c e s s f u l ly 

in 

a 

g i v en 

s e c t or 

a nd

w h at 

i m p a ct  

t h is   w o u ld   p r o d u ce   on 

t he 

p r o d u c t i v i ty  of  t he 

i n d u s t ry 

in  

i ts  v a r i o us  

a c t i v i t i es  

( p r o d u c t i o n,   m a n a g e m e n t,   m a r k e t i n g, 

e t c . ).  

T he 

e s s e n t i al   e l e m e n ts   of   s u ch   s t u d i es 

in   r e l a t i on  

to 

 
 
-  4  -

t he 

A c t i on   P r o g r a m me  

is 

t h at 

t h ey  

w i ll  

e s t a b l i sh  

to  

w h at 

e x t e nt 

R &D

i n to  

t he 

a p p l i c a t i o ns  of 

t e c h n o l o g i es 

c an 

i m p r o ve  

t he  

c o m p e t i t i v i ty  

of 

t he 

s e c t o rs 

c o n c e r n ed 

a nd 

t he 

r o l e,  

if  a n y, 

of 

t he

C o m m u n i ty  

in 

e n c o u r a g i ng 

a nd 

c o­

o r d i n a t i ng  

R & D. 

T h is  

a s s e s s m e nt  

w i ll  

be  

c a r r i ed  

o ut 

a g a i n st  

t he   b a c k g r o u nd  

of 

an 

e x a m i n a t i on 

of  t he 

p r e s e nt 

a nd 

l i k e ly  

f u t u re   e c o n o m ic  

a nd  

s o c i al  

i m p o r t a n ce 

of 

t he 

s e c t or 

c o n c e r n ed 

a nd 

i ts  

s i t u a t i on  

in 

r e s p e ct 

of  

i n t e r n a t i o n al 

c o m p e t i t i v e n e ss 

a nd  

h e n ce  

r e l e v a nt  

i n d u s t r i al  

p o l i cy 

q u e s t i o n s. 

I I I. 

T h e _ r o l e _ o f _ t h e _ C o r a m u n i ty 

7. 

T e c h n o l o g i c al  r e s e a r ch   w h i ch   m u st   be  

c a r r i ed   o ut 

in  o r d er 

f or  

an  

i n d u s t r i al  

f i rm  

to   r e m a in  

c o m p e t i t i ve 

is  in

p r i n c i p le 

t he  

r e s p o n s i b i l i ty   of  t he  

i n d u s t r i al  

f i rm  

i t s e l f.  

T h u s,  

in 

p r i n c i p l e,  

a 

f i rm   s h o u ld  be  

e n t i r e ly  

r e s p o n s i b le   e i t h er  

f or 

c a r r y i ng   o ut  t he  n e c e s s a ry 

r e s e a r ch

i t s e l f,  

f or  a r r a n g i ng  f or 

o t h er  o r g a n i s a t i o ns  to  do  it  on  c o n t r a ct  or  f or  a c q u i r i ng  t he 

t e c h n o l o gy  

f r om   o t h e rs 

t h r o u gh  

l i c e n s es  

or  o t h er 

a p p r o p r i a te 

c h a n n e l s. 

8. 

W h i le  

t h is  

p r i n c i p le  

m u st  

r e m a in  

c e n t r al  

in   C o m m u n i ty 

R &D  

p o l i cy  

as 

r e g a r ds 

t he 

R &D

n e e d ed  

by 

f i r ms 

so 

t h at 

t h ey  c an   m a r k et   new 

p r o d u c ts 

a nd 

p r o c e s s e s, 

it  i s,  n e v e r t h e­

l e s s,  

t he 

c a se 

t h at 

l o n g er 

t e rm 

t e c h n o l o g i c al  r e s e a r ch 

in 

E u r o pe   f a c es  

c e r t a in   p r o b l e ms  : 

-  l o n g e r - t e rm 

t e c h n o l o g i c al  r e s e a r ch  is

  r e l a t i v e ly  

e x p e n s i v e, 

by 

i ts  n a t u re 

s l ow  to  p r o v i de  a  r e t u rn  on 

i n v e s t m e n t, 

a nd 

o f t en  

r e q u i r es  

m u l t i d i s c i p l i n a ry  

t e c h n i c al  

a nd  

s c i e n t i f ic 

e x p e r t i se   w h i ch  

is  n ot 

i n d i g e n o us 

to  an

i n d i v i d u al  

f i rm  

or 

e v en   to 

t he  

i n d u s t r i al  

s e c t or   w h e re  

t he 

new 

t e c h n o l o gy 

is 

n e e d e d.  

C o m m u n i c a t i on  

c h a n n e ls  

b e t w e en  

t h o se  

m a k i ng  

or 

s e l l i ng  

t he 

e n d - p r o d u c ts  

w h i ch  

m i g ht  

i n c o r p o r a te 

t he 

r e s u l ts   of  r e s e a r ch  a nd  t h o se 

c a r r y i ng  o ut  t he  r e s e a r ch 

a re 

 
 
 
 
 
 
-  5  -

o f t en  

i m p e r f e ct  

a nd   s o m e t i m es  

n o n - e x i s t e n t.  

B e c a u se   t he 

t e c h n o l o g i es  

a re  

w i d e ly 

d i s p e r s ed  

in  m a ny  

C o m m u n i ty 

c o u n t r i e s,  

i n a d e q u a te  

c o - o r d i n a t i on 

w i t h in   a 

s e c t or   a nd 

i n a d e q u a te  

c o - o r d i n a t i on   b e t w e en  

v a r i o us 

i n d u s t ry 

s e c t o rs 

t e nd  

to   g i ve  

s u b - c r i t i c al  

a nd   o v e r l a p p i ng  

r e s u l t s.  

In 

o t h er   w o r ds   , 

t h ey   do  n ot   i n t e g r a te   on  a  

s u f f i c i e nt  

s c a le 

t he 

v a r i o us   c o m p e t e n c es   n e c e s s a ry  

a nd   a v a i l a b le   t h r o u g h o ut 

t he   C o m m u n i ty   to   p r o d u ce  

r e s u l ts  

t h at   c an  be  of  

p r a c t i c al 

b e n e f it   to   i n d u s t r y; 

-  it h as  as  y et

  p r o v ed  

p a r t i c u l a r ly  

d i f f i c u lt   in   E u r o pe   to 

b r i ng   t o g e t h er   t he   r e s e a r ch  

a b i l i t i es   of  t he   u n i v e r s i ty   a nd 

i n d u s t r y.  

A l t h o u gh  

s o me   p r o g r e ss  

h as   b e en   m a de  in   t h is 

d i r e c t i o n,  

it h as  n ot  m o v ed  f ar

 e n o u gh   or   f a st   e n o u gh   a nd 

it   is u n c o m m on   i n d e ed   f or  c o - o p e r a t i on   to   e v o l ve   b e t w e en   an 

a c a d e m ic  

i n s t i t u t i on   in  o ne  M e m b er  

S t a te   a nd   i n d u s t ry   in 

a n o t h e r; 

m a ny  M e m b er  

S t a t es 

p r o v i de 

s u p p o rt  

to  s o me  

d e g r ee   f or 

i n d u s t r i al  

R &D  

d e p e n d i ng  

on  

t h e ir  

s p e c i f ic  

n a t i o n al 

c i r c u m s t a n c e s.  

B ut  t he  

f a ct  

is   t h at  

t he  

c o n s e q u e nt 

r e s e a r ch  

e f f o r ts  

s e r ve  

to   b e n e f it 

o n ly 

f i r ms 

w i t h in   t he 

r e s p e c t i ve   m e m b er   S t a t es   a nd  a re  n ot   s e r v i ng   to   e n h a n ce   t he 

i n d u s t r i al  

c o m p e t i t i v i ty   of  t he   C o m m u n i ty   as  a   w h o le  

v i s­

a - v is   i ts   m a j or  

t r a d i ng 

p a r t n e r s.  

F u r t h e r m o r e,  

t h e se 

n a t i o n al  

r e s e a r ch  

e f f o r ts  

a re   g e n e r a l ly   n ot  

c o - o r d i n a t ed 

a nd  

t h us  

t he   w o rk  

is  

f r e q u e n t ly 

o v e r l a p p i ng  

or  

e v en 

d u p l i c a t i ng  

w o rk  

w h i ch  

is   b e i ng  

d o ne  

in  

o t h er  

M e m b er 

S t a t e s. 

9. 

It   s h o u ld   be   r e c a l l ed  

t h at   t he   C o m m u n i t y 's   m a j or  

t r a d i ng 

p a r t n e r s,  

t he  US  a nd   J a p a n,  

b o th  

p r o v i de  

m a j or  

c e n t r al 

g o v e r n m e nt   s u p p o rt   f or R &D  

i n t e n d ed   to  be  of   d i r e ct  

b e n e f it 

to   t h e ir  

i n d u s t r i e s.  

As   e x p l a i n ed   in m o re   d e t a il   in t he  t wo 

a t t a c h ed 

p r o p o s a ls  

f or  n ew  

s u b - p r o g r a m m e s,  

t he  US  a nd 

J a p a n e se  

g o v e r n m e nt  

s u p p o rt  

to  

i n d u s t r i al  

R 

& 

D  is 

s i g n i f i c a nt   a nd  in  m a ny   c a s es   is  1 0 0%   f i n a n c ed  

f r om   c e n t r al 

g o v e r n m e nt   f u n d s.  

It  is   a l so  c l e ar  t h at   t he   r e s e a r ch  

e f f o r ts 

-  6  -

in  

t h e se 

c o u n t r i es  a re 

u s u a l ly

  w e ll  

c o - o r d i n a t e d, 

t h e r e by 

e n s u r i ng 

r e s e a r ch  

e f f i c i e n cy  

as  

w e ll  

as  

e f f e c t i ve 

d i s s e m i n a t i on   of   r e s u l ts   f or   a d v a n t a g e o us  

e x p l o i t a t i on   by 

t he 

i n d u s t r i es   in  t h e se  c o u n t r i e s. 

10. 

C o m m u n i ty  

i n i t i a t i v es   h a ve   to  be   a i m ed   at  r e d u c i ng 

t h e se 

d e f e c ts  

a nd 

t h e r e f o re   h a ve  

to 

be 

s u b j e ct 

to 

t he

f o l l o w i ng 

c o n s i d e r a t i o ns  : 

-  t he   C o m m u n i ty   s h o u ld  o n ly  s u p p o rt 

t e c h n o l o g i c al  r e s e a r ch 

of 

a  p r e - c o m p e t i t i ve  c h a r a c t e r, 

i . e. 

t he  r e s e a r ch 

u n d e r t a k en 

s h o u ld  

o n ly 

go 

so 

f ar  as 

to  c r e a te 

b e n e f i ts

  w h i ch  

c an 

be 

e q u a l ly   e x p l o i t ed  by  a   n u m b er   of  f i r ms  in  c o m p e t i t i on 

w i th 

e a ch   o t h er 

at  t he  p r o d u ct  

d e v e l o p m e nt   a nd 

m a r k e t i ng 

s t a g e; 

h a r m o n i s a t i on  

a nd 

s t a n d a r d i z a t i on 

a s p e c ts 

a re 

i m p o r t a nt 

h e re  ; 

-  t he   C o m m u n i ty   s h o u ld 

o n ly  u n d e r t a ke 

p r o j e c ts  f or

  w h i ch  

t he 

c o m b i n a t i on 

of   h u m an   a nd  

f i n a n c i al  

r e s o u r c es 

at  

C o m m u n i ty 

l e v el   g i v es  an   " a d d ed  

v a l u e "; 

- 

a 

p r o p er 

c o u p l i ng 

s h o u ld 

o c c ur

b e t w e en  

C o m m u n i ty 

i n i t i a t i v es  

a nd 

t he  

m a r k et  

a nd  

h e n ce  

a p p l i c a t i o ns 

of 

c o m m e r c i al   v a l ue  s h o u ld  be  f o r e s e en  b e f o re

  w o rk   is  

s t a r t e d; 

in  

o t h er   w o r d s,  

t he 

r e s e a r ch 

u n d e r t a k en  

m u st   be 

r e s e a r ch 

w h i ch  

i n d u s t ry  

r e a l ly   n e e ds  

b ut  

c a n n ot  

u n d e r t a ke 

w i t h o ut 

f i n a n c i al  

s u p p o r t; 

-  t he  

f a ct   t h at  an  i n d u s t ry  is  in  t r o u b le  or

  d e c l i n i ng   is  n ot 

in 

i t s e lf  

a 

j u s t i f i c a t i on  

f or  

C o m m u n i ty  

a s s i s t a n c e. 

C o m m u n i ty  

i n i t i a t i v es   s h o u ld  t h e r e f o re  f o c us  on  t h o se 

a r e as 

w h e re   t e c h n o l o g i c al  a nd 

o t h er 

s o c i a l - e c o n o m ic

f a c t o rs  

w i ll 

c r e a te   a  r e a s o n a b le  

p o s s i b i l i ty  

f or  a   m a j or   i m p r o v e m e nt  

in 

p r o d u c t i v i ty  

or  

c o m p e t i t i v i ty  

b ut  

w h e re  

i n d u s t ry 

a nd 

n a t i o n al   a c t i o ns  a re  

i n s u f f i c i e n t; 

 
 
 
-  7  -

-  t he  C o m m u n i ty  

s h o u ld  

n ot  

s i m p ly 

s u b s i d i ze 

r e s e a r ch  

b ut 

s h o u ld   a ct  as  a   c a t a l y st   c o n c e n t r a t i ng   on   s e l e c t i ve  

a c t i o ns 

w h i ch  

c an  

b e n e f it 

i n d u s t ry 

w i d e ly  

a nd 

h e n ce 

h a ve 

a 

m u l t i p l i er  

e f f e ct  

t h r o u gh  

a 

r e l a t i v e ly  

m o d e st  

f i n a n c i al 

c o n t r i b u t i on   ( " s e ed  m o n e y " ). 

1 1.  

In   o r d er  

to   e n s u re  

t h at   t he  C o m m u n i ty  

r o le   is   p r o p e r ly 

t a k en  

i n to  

a c c o u nt  

at  a ll  s t a g e s,  

t he  a b o ve   c o n s i d e r a t i o ns 

r e l a t i ng  

to 

t he  

r o le  

of 

C o m m u n i ty  

i n i t i a t i v es  

m u st 

be 

c o n c r e t e ly  

r e f l e c t ed   in  t he   c r i t e r ia   to  be   a p p l i ed   in   j u d g i ng 

p r i o r i t i es  

as 

b e t w e en  

p r o p o s a ls  

f or  

i n d i v i d u al  

r e s e a r ch 

p r o j e c t s.  

T he  m o st   i m p o r t a nt 

p o i n ts   h e re   a re   t h at  

p r i o r i ty 

m u st 

be  

g i v en  

to  

p r o j e c ts 

p r o v i d i ng  

c l e ar  

e v i d e n ce  

of  a 

s u b s t a n t i al  

o w n - c o n t r i b u t i on  

f r om  

i n d u s t ry   a nd  of   r e al   n e ed 

f or   t he   t e c h n o l o gy 

c o n c e r n ed  

in  at   l e a st   t wo   M e m b er   S t a t e s, 

e x p r e s s ed  

in  

t r a n s - f r o n t i er  

c o - o p e r a t i ve 

p l a n n i n g, 

f u n d i ng 

a nd  

e x p l o i t a t i o n. 

1 2.  

T he  

r o le  

t h at  n a t i o n al   g o v e r n m e n ts  n e ed  to   p l ay   in  t he 

p r o c e ss  

of  t he   p r o m o t i on  

of  

t e c h n o l o g i c al  r e s e a r ch  

w i ll  

be 

d e t e r m i n ed  

by  

s p e c i f ic  

n a t i o n al 

c i r c u m s t a n c e s.  

In 

a 

p e r m a n e nt   c o n s u l t a t i o n,   in   p a r t i c u l ar   t h r o u gh   t he   M a n a g e m e nt 

a nd 

C o - o r d i n a t i on 

C o n s u l t a t i ve  

C o m m i t t ee 

-  

I n d u s t r i al 

T e c h n o l o g i es  

( C G C ),   C o m m u n i ty  a nd   n a t i o n al   a c t i v i t i es   h a ve  to 

be   c o n f r o n t ed  

to   a v o id 

u n n e c e s s a ry 

o v e r l a p p i n g. 

N a t i o n al 

g o v e r n m e n ts   s h o u ld 

a l so  p l ay   an   i m p o r t a nt  

r o le   to   e n s u re   t he 

i n v o l v e m e nt  

of   i n d u s t ry   a nd  in   p a r t i c u l ar   of  t he   S M Es  . 

1 3.  

I n t e r n a t i o n al  

c o - o p e r a t i o n,  

i . e.  

c o - o p e r a t i on 

w i th 

r e s e a r ch  

e f f o r ts  

in  n o n - E EC  

c o u n t r i e s,  

is   a l r e a dy  

s e en   in 

m a ny  

p r o g r a m m es 

in  

d i f f e r e nt  

w a ys 

( C O S T,  

E C SC  

w o r k i ng 

p a r t i e s,  

e t c . ).  

T h u s, 

w h e re  a   m u t u al  

i n t e r e st  

e x i s t s,   t he 

C o m m u n i ty   s h o u ld   r e m a in   o p en  to   i n t e r n a t i o n al   c o - o p e r a t i on   on 

an   a d - h oc   b a s i s, 

w h i le  t a k i ng

  i n to   a c c o u nt   t he   f a ct   t h at   t he 

new 

p r o g r a m m es 

a re 

a i m ed 

at 

t he

p r o m o t i on  

of 

t he 

c o m p e t i t i v e n e ss   of  C o m m u n i ty   i n d u s t ry  t h r o u gh   t he   s o l u t i on   of 

p r o b l e ms  

s p e c i f ic   to  C o m m u n i ty 

R & D. 

 
I V.   M a n a g e m e nt  of  t he   A c t i on   P r o g r a m me 

-  8  -

14. 

The  g e n e r al   m a n a g e m e nt  

r u l es 

a p p l y i ng   to  t he   v a r i o us 

s u b - p r o g r a m m es   in   t h is   a c t i on   p r o g r a m me  a re  s et  o ut   b e l o w. 

As  a  r e s u lt   of  t he   d i f f e r e nt  

r u l es  a p p l i c a b le   ( e . g.  

s t e el 

r e s e a r ch   a nd  w o rk  at  t he  J R C ),  

t h e se   m a n a g e m e nt   r u l es   a re 

i n d e ed 

g e n e r al   a nd   c a n n ot   be 

f u l ly  

a p p l i ed   to  a ll of  t he 

s u b - p r o g r a m m e s.  

T h ey  

a re  

t h e r e f o re 

p r i m a r i ly 

g u i d i ng 

p r i n c i p l es   w h i ch   w i ll   be  a d a p t ed   to  t he   s p e c i al   c i r c u m s t a n c es 

of   e a ch   s u b - p r o g r a m m e,  b ut   a l w a ys   a i m ed   at   f a c i l i t a t i ng   t he 

p a r t i c i p a t i on  

of  

i n d u s t ry  

a nd  

e n s u r i ng  

i ts   i n v o l v e m e nt 

t h r o u g h o ut   t he  p r o g r a m m e. 

A)  N a t u re   of  C o m m u n i ty   A c t i o ns 

15. 

R e s e a r ch   p r o j e c ts  

w i ll   f or  t he  m o st   p a rt   be  u n d e r t a k en 

in   t he   f o rm   of   s h a r ed   c o st 

c o n t r a ct  r e s e a r ch   or  

c o n c e r t ed 

a c t i o n.  

S h a r ed  

c o st 

c o n t r a ct 

r e s e a r ch  

c an   t a ke   t he   f o rm 

of   p i l o t-   or   d e m o n s t r a t i o n - p r o j e c t s.  

C o n c e r t ed   a c t i o ns   w o u ld 

in   p a r t i c u l ar   be  u n d e r t a k en   in   c a s es   w h e re  w o rk   s u p p o r t ed   by 

n a t i o n al   f u n ds   or   e n t i r e ly   p r i v a t e ly   f u n d ed   is   a l r e a dy 

g o i ng 

o n,  

t he   C o m m i s s i o n 's  

r o le  

t h en  

b e i ng  

l i m i t ed  

s i m p ly  

to 

o r g a n i z i ng   t he   c o - o r d i n a t i on   of  t he  w o rk  a nd  t he  C o m m u n i ty 

f u n d i ng 

c o n f i n ed  

to  

c o v e r i ng  

t he  

c o st  

of  

c o - o r d i n a t i on 

a c t i v i t i e s.  

H o w e v e r,  in   c e r t a in   c a s es   w h e re  it is   c l e ar  t h at 

more  t h an   s i m p le  c o - o r d i n a t i on   is  n e e d e d,  

a  c e r t a in   l e v el   of 

f u n d i ng   of  t he   a c t u al  r e s e a r ch   w o rk   c o u ld   be  c o n s i d e r ed   in 

c o n s u l t a t i on   w i th   t he  CGC. 

In   a d d i t i o n,   w h e re   a p p r o p r i a t e, 

w o rk  at  t he   J o i nt  

R e s e a r ch  

C e n t re  

w i ll  

be 

a r r a n g ed   to 

c o m p l e m e nt   o t h er 

a c t i o ns   u n d er  

t h is   A c t i on   P r o g r a m me   t h o u gh 

a u t h o r i s e d, 

f i n a n c ed   a nd  m a n a g ed  in   a c c o r d a n ce  

w i th   t he 

n o r m al   a r r a n g e m e n ts   a p p l i c a b l e-   to   t h e?  J R C; 

-  9  -

B)  P r e p a r a t i o n,   m a n a g e m e nt   a n d . e v a l u a t i on   of  p r o g r a m m es i 

16. 

T he   C o m m i s s i on   w i ll   be  a s s i s t ed   by  t he  CGC  on   I n d u s t r i al 

T e c h n o l o g i es   in  i ts  t a sk   of   d e f i n i ng   a nd   p r e p a r i ng 

r e s e a r c h, 

d e v e l o p m e nt   a nd   d e m o n s t r a t i on  

a c t i v i t i es   on  t he  one   h a nd   and 

i ts  

m a n a g e m e nt 

a nd  

c o - o r d i n a t i o n • -•  

-f u n c t i o ns   .  . r e l a t e d.   to 

p r o g r a m m es  on   i n d u s t r i al  

t e c h n o l o g i e s. 

17. 

As  many  of  t he  p r o g r a m m es  

w i ll   be  s t r o n g ly 

i n d u s t r y-

o r i e n t e d,  

t he  

C o m m i s s i on  

w i ll  

e s t a b l i sh 

c o n s u l t a t i o n-

p r o c e d u r es  

w i th  

i n d u s t ry  

a n d, 

w h e re  

a p p r o p r i a t e,  

w i th 

a c a d e m ic   a nd  

r e s e a r ch  

i n s t i t u t i o n s,  

to   a s s i st   it  in  t he 

p r e p a r a t i on  

a nd  m a n a g e m e nt 

of  p r o g r a m m e s.  

T h is 

k i nd   of 

c o n s u l t a t i on  

m a c h i n e ry  

s h o u ld 

a l so 

p r o v i de  

an 

a d d i t i o n al 

c h a n n el   f or t he   d i f f u s i on   of   r e s e a r ch  r e s u l t s. 

P r o g r a m m es  

w i ll   be  s u b m i t t ed  

to   e v a l u a t i on  

p r o c e d u r es   in 

a c c o r d a n ce   w i th   t he  " C o m m u n i ty   p l an   of   a c t i on   r e l a t i ng   to  t he 

e v a l u a t i on   of  C o m m u n i ty   r e s e a r ch   "and  d e v e l o p m e nt   p r o g r a m m e s" 

( C 0 M ( 8 3 ) 1)  . 

C) Participants and  projects 
p r o j e c ts 

£ Hl  

i E § n ^£  

£ £ £ i

i £ .

^)  

P a r t i c i p a n ts   in  t he   r e s e a r ch 

18.  Participants  in the research  projects  can be  industrial 
18. 
i n d u s t r i al 
research  institutes  and  universities  established  in 
firms, 
r e s e a r ch  
f i r m s, 
i n s t i t u t es   a nd   u n i v e r s i t i es  e s t a b l i s h ed   in 

p r o j e c ts   c an  be  

the  Community. 
t he  
C o m m u n i t y.  

Normally, 
N o r m a l l y,  

research 
r e s e a r ch  

institutes  and 
i n s t i t u t es  
and 

universities 
u n i v e r s i t i es  

should 
s h o u ld 

participate  only   in  a  group  with 
p a r t i c i p a te 
w i th 

in  a  

g r o up  

o n ly  

substantial 
s u b s t a n t i al  

p a r t i c i p a t i on  
p a r t i c i p a t i on  

industrial  firms. 
i n d u s t r i al  
f i r m s. 

(financial  or  otherwise)  by 
( f i n a n c i al  
by 

o t h e r w i s e)  

or  

P r i o r i ty   w i ll   be  given  to projects  undertaken by participants 
P r i o r i ty   w i ll   be  g i v en   to   p r o j e c ts   u n d e r t a k en   by  p a r t i c i p a n ts 

from more  than  one Member  State. 
f r om   more  t h an   one  Member  S t a t e. 

Projects  should  be  of  s u f f i c i e nt   size  to  create 
s i ze   to   c r e a te  
P r o j e c ts 

s u f f i c i e nt  

s h o u ld  

be  of  

c r i t i c al 
c r i t i c al 

research  results  and ensure  an optimal  impact. 
r e s e a r ch  r e s u l ts   a nd   e n s u re   an  o p t i m al  
i m p a c t. 

-  10  -

D)  F i n a n c i al  

a s p e c ts 

19. 

C o m m u n i ty   f i n a n ce  s h o u l d, 

as  a  g e n e r al   r u l e,   n ot   e x c e ed 

50%  of  t he   t o t al   c o st  of  t he  p r o j e c t. 

The   r e m a i n d er   s h o u ld 

be 

p r o v i d ed 

by 

t he  

i n d u s t r i al  

f i r ms  

p a r t i c i p a t i ng  

in 

t he 

p r o j e c t,   and  w i ll   be  d e c i d ed   i n d i v i d u a l i ty   f or r e a ch  p r o j e ct  in 

t he  

l i g ht  

of  i ts   c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s,  

t he  e x t e nt  to   w h i ch   it 

m e e ts   t he   s e l e c t i on   c r i t e r ia   and  t he   a m o u nt   of   r i sk  

a c c e p t ed 

by  t he  p r o p o s e rs  of  t he  p r o j e c t s. 

The 

C o m m i s s i on  

w i ll  

t a ke 

due 

a c c o u nt 

of 

a ll 

o t h er 

c o n t r i b u t i o ns  

so 

t h at  t l^  g l o b al   a m o u nt  

of   C o m m u n i ty  

and 

n a t i o n al   s u p p o rt  s h o u ld  n o t,  as  a  g e n e r al   r u l e,   e x c e ed   5 0%  of 

t he   t o t al   c o s t. 

F or  d e m o n s t r a t i on 

p r o j e c t s, 

a   maximum  of  5 0%  of  t he 

g r a nt 

w i ll   be  r e p a y a b le  in  t he  e v e nt  of   c o m m e r c i al  

e x p l o i t a t i o n. 

E)  A c c e ss 

to  and  

e x p l o i t a t i on   of  

r e s u l t s; 

d i s s e m i n a t i on  of 

information 

20.  The rules for access to and exploitation of results must 
be defined as clearly as possible to avoid their becoming a 
limiting factor for industry participation.  In particular, 
for the new programmes in the context of the action-programme 
on  industrial  technologies,  existing  procedures  must  be 
adapted  to  take  account  of  the  fact  that,  although  the 
research is of a pre-competitive  nature,  the results  will 
normally be of commercial value.  The rules to be established 
must strike  a balance between the  interest  of the original 
inventor and a sufficient  diffusion of the results  to other 
Community firms. 

-  11  -

2 1.  

A  s et  of   s t a n d a rd 

c o n d i t i o ns   is  in   p r e p a r a t i on 

w i th   t he 

h e lp   a nd   a d v i ce  

of   i n d u s t ry 

p r o v i d ed  

t h r o u gh   C O R D I.  

T h e se 

w i ll   be   d i s c u s s ed 

w i th   t he  C G C. 

T h ey  

w i ll   be   b a s ed   on  t he 

f o l l o w i ng   g e n e r al  

p r i n c i p l e s: 

a)  t he   r i g h ts   to   e x p l o it   a ny  

i n d u s t r i al  

p r o p e r ty 

r e s u l t i ng 

f r om   w o rk   u n d er   t he  p r o g r a m m es  

w i ll  

in  t he  

f i r st  

p l a ce 

r e s i de  w i th   t he   c o n t r a c t or   w ho  m a k es  t he   i n v e n t i o n; 

b)  

p r e f e r e n t i al  

a c c e ss  

to  

" f o r e g r o u nd  

i n f o r m a t i o n" 

( i n f o r m a t i on  

g e n e r a t ed  

u n d er  

t he  

c o n t r a c t)  

a nd 

to 

" f o r e g r o u nd  

p a t e n t s" 

( p a t e n ts  

f or  

i n v e n t i o ns  

m a de  

or 

c o n c e i v ed  

u n d er  

t he  

c o n t r a c t) 

s h o u ld  

be  

g r a n t ed  

u n d er 

a p p r o p r i a te  

t e r ms   in   o r d er   of   p r i o r i ty   t o: 

-  o t h er 

p a r t i c i p a n ts   in  t he  s u b - p r o g r a m me  if

  r e q u i r ed   f or 

t he 

e x e c u t i on   of   t h e ir   o wn  

c o n t r a c t; 

-  o t h er 

p a r t i c i p a n ts   in  t he  s u b - p r o g r a m m e; 

-  o t h er 

e n t e r p r i s es 

e s t a b l i s h ed   in  t he  C o m m u n i ty  if

  t h e ir 

o wn 

R &D

r e s u l ts  

c a n n ot  

r e a s o n a b ly  

be  

a p p l i ed 

o t h e r wi   s e; 

-  o t h er 

e n t e r p r i s es 

e s t a b l i s h ed   in  t he  C o m m u n i t y. 

T he 

C o m m i s s i on 

h as 

t he  

f u r t h er  

r e s p o n s i b i l i t y, 

p a r t i c u l a r ly  

i m p o r t a nt   in   s u ch   a  p r o g r a m m e,  to   e n s u re  

t h at 

t he 

r e s u l ts   a re   p r o p e r ly 

e x p l o i t ed   to  t he   b e n e f it   of  t he 

w h o le   C o m m u n i ty  a nd  i ts   i n d u s t ry 

w i t h in   a  r e a s o n a b le  

t i me 

p e r i o d.  

T he   c o n t r a c t u al  p r o v i s i o ns  g i v i ng  e f f e ct

  to  

t h is 

r e q u i r e m e nt  

w i ll   be   b a s ed   u p on  t he   p r i n c i p l es   s et  o ut  in 

d o c u m e nt  C 0 M ( 8 3 ) 1 8. 

2 2.  

W h e re  

p i l ot  

d e m o n s t r a t i on  

p r o j e c ts  

a re  

i n v o l v e d,  

t he 

c o n t r a c t or 

s h o u ld  

in  a ny   c a se   be  

o b l i g ed  

to  s h ow  to  

o t h er 

C o m m u n i ty  

e n t e r p r i s es  

how 

t he  

f a c i l i t i es  

a nd 

e q u i p m e nt 

r e l a t i ng   to  t he   p r o j e c ts   a re   u s e d.  

H o w e v e r, 

if   i n d u s t r i al 

 
-  12 

-

a nd  

c o m m e r c i al  

i n t e r e st  

c o u ld  be 

p r e j u d i c ed  or  t he  s u c c e ss 

of 

t he  p r o j e ct   e n d a n g e r e d,  

t he  c o n t r a c t or  may 

r e f u se 

a  

v i s it  

or 

c h a r ge  

an 

" e n t ry 

f e e" 

in  

a g r e e m e nt  

w i th 

t he  

C o m m i s s i o n. 

D i s c u s s i o ns 

w i th  i n d u s t ry  on

t h is   s u b j e ct 

a re   u n d er  

w a y. 

23. 

A d e q u a te  

d i s s e m i n a t i on 

of 

i n f o r m a t i o n, 

t h at

d o es  

n ot 

p r e j u d i ce  

i n d u s t r i al  

a nd  

c o m m e r c i al  

i n t e r e s t,  

s h o u ld 

be 

e n s u r e d.  

P r o c e d u r es  

w i ll  

be 

e s t a b l i s h ed  by   w h i ch  

s y s t e m a t ic 

i n f o r m a t i on 

on   w o rk  

in  p r o g r e ss  

w i ll  

be  

a v a i l a b l e.  

T h e se 

p r o c e d u r es  

w i ll  

be 

d i s c u s s ed 

in  t he 

c o n t e xt 

of  t he

i n d i v i d u al 

p r o g r a m m es   w i th  t he  CGC 

a nd 

i n d u s t ry

  c o n c e r n e d. 

V. 

E x p r e s s i o ns 

of  i n t e r e s t _ a nd  s u b m i s s i o n _ of 

p r o p o s a ls 

24. 

It 

is  

f u l ly  

u n d e r s t o od  

by 

t he  

C o m m i s s i on  

t h at 

t he 

a d m i n i s t r a t i ve  

a nd  

f i n a n c i al  

b u r d en  

of 

t he 

p r e p a r a t i on 

of 

f u l ly  

w o r k ed  

o ut 

r e s e a r ch 

p r o p o s a ls 

w i t h o ut 

a

  g u a r a n t ee  

of 

a c c e p t a n c e,  

is  o f t en 

a  

l i m i t i ng  

f a c t or  to  

p a r t i c i p a t i on  

in 

C o m m u n i ty   R &D  

p r o g r a m m e s,  

in   p a r t i c u l ar  

f or   S M Es  . 

T h is 

is 

a 

p r i n c i p al  

r e a s on  

f or 

i n t r o d u c i ng 

t he 

i n s t r u m e nt 

of 

" e x p r e s s i o ns 

of  

i n t e r e s t"  

w h i ch  

s h o u ld  

e a se  

a c c e ss 

f or 

i n d i v i d u al  

f i r m s. 

A 

c a ll  

f or 

" e x p r e s s i o ns 

of  

i n t e r e s t"  

w i ll  

be 

p u b l i s h ed 

as 

s o on  

as 

p r o p o s a ls 

f or 

new  

p r o g r a m m es  

a re 

s u b m i t t ed 

to 

t he 

C o u n c i l.  

By  

n o t i f y i ng  

t he   C o m m i s s i on  

of  

t h e ir 

i n t e r e st  

a nd 

s u b m i t t i ng 

a  

b r i ef  

a nd 

g l o b al 

d e s c r i p t i on 

of 

p o s s i b le 

p r o j e c t s,  

i n d i v i d u al  

f i r ms  

w i ll   h a ve   t he  

p o s s i b i l i ty   to   c h e ck 

w i th  t he   C o m m i s s i on   if   t h e ir   p r o j e c ts  a r e, 

in

  p r i n c i p l e,  

in 

a c c o r d a n ce  

w i th 

t he   p r o g r a m me   a nd 

c an  

i n v i te  

t he  

C o m m i s s i on 

to   h e lp 

in  f o r m i ng  

i n t e r n a t i o n al  

g r o u p s.  

T he 

" e x p r e s s i o ns 

of 

i n t e r e s t"  

w i ll  

a l so  g i ve  a   c l e ar 

i n d i c a t i on  

of  t he  

p r i o r i t i es 

of  t he 

i n d u s t ry  by 

c o n f i r m i ng 

t he

i n t e r e st  

of  t he   m a n a g e m e n ts 

of  

i n d i v i d u al  

f i r ms  in  a   p r o g r a m m e,   a nd 

s h o u ld 

h e lp 

to   e n s u re 

a 

q u i ck  

s t a rt  

o n ce  

a  p r o g r a m me  

h as  

b e en  

a p p r o v ed  

by 

t he 

C o u nc  i 1 . 

 
 
 
 
-  13  -

25. 

A  c a ll   f or  " e x p r e s s i o ns  of   i n t e r e s t"  

w i ll   n ot  r e p l a ce  a 

f o r m al  

c a ll  

f or  p r o p o s a l s,  

w h i ch  

w i ll  

be  made 

a f t er  

t h e. 

p r o g r a m me   is   a d o p t ed   by  t he  C o u n c i l, 

b ut  it  is  a n t i c i p a t ed 

t h at  

p r o p o s a ls 

t h en 

r e c e i v ed  

w i ll  

to  a  s u b s t a n t i al   d e g r ee 

come 

f r om  

t he  

g r o u ps  

of 

o r g a n i s a t i o ns 

i n t e r e s t ed 

in 

c o l l a b o r a t i ng   t o g e t h er 

and 

s et  up  d u r i ng  t he  c o u r se 

of  t he 

e a r l i er  

p r o c e d u r e. 

VI.  Small- and medium-size enterprises 
V I.  

S m a l l - _ a n d _ m e d i u m - s i z e _ e n^ 

26.  With regard  to the  economic importance  of the SMEs and 
26. 
W i th   r e g a rd  to  t he   e c o n o m ic   i m p o r t a n ce   of  t he   SMEs  and 
their  role  in the creation of new  employment, the SMEs should 
t h e ir   r o le   in  t he  c r e a t i on  of  new   e m p l o y m e n t,   t he   SMEs  s h o u ld 
be  involved  in  the  various  sub-programmes  to  the maximum 
be 
t he   maximum 
degree possible.  Moreover,  special  attention for SMEs is 
d e g r ee   p o s s i b l e.  
s p e c i al   a t t e n t i on  f or   SMEs  is 
justified  as: 
j u s t i f i ed  
a s: 

v a r i o us   s u b - p r o g r a m m es   to 

M o r e o v e r,  

i n v o l v ed 

in  t he 

o f t en  b e st 

- SMEs are  often  best  at  exploiting  new  technology  in its 
-  SMEs  a re 
at   e x p l o i t i ng  
early  phases  and  are  often  quickest  at  completing 
e a r ly  
engineering development and  marketing the new  product; 
e n g i n e e r i ng   d e v e l o p m e nt   and  m a r k e t i ng   t he  new 

t e c h n o l o gy 

c o m p l e t i ng 

q u i c k e st 

p r o d u c t; 

p h a s es  

in  i ts 

o f t en 

a re 

and 

new 

at 

SMEs'  managements  often 
S M E s'  
m a n a g e m e n ts  
o f t en  
characteristics 
c h a r a c t e r i s t i cs  
speculative development. 
s p e c u l a t i ve   d e v e l o p m e n t. 

a re  

the  most  dynamic 
t he  
d y n a m ic 
and  are  more  likely  to  undertake 
and 
l i k e ly  
u n d e r t a ke 

have 
h a ve  

m o st  

more 

to  

H o w e v e r,  

27.  However,  involvement  of  SMEs  is  often  difficult  to 
27. 
to 
realize  as experience  at the national level has shown. 
r e a l i ze   as  e x p e r i e n ce  at  t he  n a t i o n al   l e v el   h as   shown. 

i n v o l v e m e nt 

d i f f i c u lt  

is  o f t en  

of   SMEs 

G e n e r a l l y,  t he   p o s s i b i l i ty   and  d e g r ee   of  SME 

28.  Generally, the  possibility  and  degree of SME  involvement 
28. 
i n v o l v e m e nt 
will  depend  to a large extent  on the  nature  of  specific  sub-
w i ll   d e p e nd   to  a  l a r ge  e x t e nt  on  t he  n a t u re  of
s u b-
programmes.  The  following mechanisms shoudl  encourage their 
p r o g r a m m e s.  
The  f o l l o w i ng   m e c h a n i s ms   s h o u dl   e n c o u r a ge   t h e ir 
involvement  and  only  experience  can provide  the answer as to 
i n v o l v e m e nt 
which way  or ways will  be  the most appropriate:  < 
w h i ch   way  or   w a ys   w i ll   be  t he   m o st   a p p r o p r i a t e: 

c an  p r o v i de  t he   a n s w er   as  to 

and  o n ly  e x p e r i e n ce 

  s p e c i f ic  

-  through  co-operation  with  large  firms  which  already  use 
-  t h r o u gh  

l a r ge  f i r ms   w h i ch   a l r e a dy 

c o - o p e r a t i on 

w i th 

u se 

SMEs as sub-contractors  or which market their  products; 
SMEs  as  s u b - c o n t r a c t o rs  or   w h i ch   m a r k et   t h e ir  
p r o d u c t s; 

-  14 

-

- 

t h r o u gh 

t he 

i n v o l v e m e nt 

of 

c o - o p e r a t i ve 

or

c o l l e c t i ve 

o r g a n i s a t i o ns  

w h i ch  

h a ve  

S M Es  

as  

m e m b e rs  

( t h e se 

o r g a n i s a t i o ns  

c an  

e i t h er  

do 

r e s e a r ch 

in  t he   p r o g r a m me  

on 

b e h a lf  

of   S M Es  

or 

c an 

h e lp 

to  

i d e n t i fy   S M Es   w h i ch  

m i g ht 

p a r t i c i p a te  

i n d i v i d u a l l y ); 

- 

t h r o u gh 

t he 

i n v o l v e m e nt 

of  

a n d / or  

c o m m u n i c a t i on  

w i th 

u n i v e r s i t i es  

w h i ch  

a re 

a l r e a dy 

w o r k i ng 

on  

p r o b l e ms  

of 

c o n c e rn 

to   S M E s; 

- 

t h r o u gh 

i n f o r m a t i on 

p r o v i d ed 

by 

t r a de 

a s s o c i a t i o n s, 

c h a m b e rs   of   c o m m e r c e,   g o v e r n m e nt   b o d i e s, 

e t c. 

V I I. 

G e n e r al 

2 9. 

T he 

n e c e s s i ty  f or  i n c r e a s ed  a nd

  m o re   e f f e c t i ve  

l o n g - t e rm 

r e s e a r ch 

w i th  a   v i ew   to 

i n c r e a s ed  

c o m p e t i t i v i ty  

in  i n d u s t ry 

is   g e n e r a l ly  r e c o g n i z ed  as  

c r u c i al  

to  t he  f u t u re   e c o n o m ic  

a nd 

s o c i al  

w e l l - b e i ng  of 

t he   C o m m u n i t y.  

T h is 

a c t i on   p r o g r a m me 

a l o ne  

c a n n ot  

f u l ly  

r e s p o nd 

to  

t h is  

m a j or   c h a l l e n g e, 

b ut  it 

c e r t a i n ly  

c a n, 

by   m e a ns  

of  

s t i m u l a t i o n,  

s u p p o rt 

t he 

c o­

o r d i n a t i on  

of 

r e s e a r ch  on  

i n d u s t r i al  

t e c h n o l o g i e s, 

a nd 

p ut 

i n to   m o t i on   t he  

e f f o r ts   w h i ch  

w i ll   h e lp  to  a c h i e ve  

t h is  

g o a l. 

W i t h o ut   s u ch   C o m m u n i ty  

a c t i o n,  

t he 

t y pe 

of  

e f f o rt   w h i ch   is 

n e c e s s a ry 

is   u n l i k e ly  

to  be  u n d e r t a k en 

or  

w i ll  

be 

u n d e r t a k en 

o n ly   w h en   it  is  t oo

l a t e. 

3 0. 

T he  

C o m m i s s i on  

r e a l i s es  

t he 

n e c e s s i ty  of 

n ot 

c r e a t i ng 

u n n e c e s s a ry 

a d m i n i s t r a t i ve  a nd  

l e g al  

c o n s t r a i n ts  to 

R &D 

c o - o p e r a t i o n,  

in  

p a r t i c u l ar  

in 

t he  

f i e ld  

of 

c o m p e t i t i on 

p o l i c y,  

a nd 

is   g i v i ng  

t h is   p r o b l em  

s p e c i al  

a t t e n t i on  at 

t he 

p r e s e nt 

t i m e . 

3 1. 

T h is  a c t i on   p r o g r a m me   is  n ot 

in  t he

f i r st   p l a ce   a i m ed   at 

p u t t i ng  

i n to   m o t i on   v e ry 

l a r g e - s c a le  r e s e a r ch  p r o j e c t s. 

It 

w i l l,  

on 

t he 

o t h er  

h a n d,  

s e r ve 

to 

b e t t er 

d e f i ne 

t he 

C o m m u n i t y 's  

p r o p er  

r o le  

in   a s s i s t i ng  

i n d u s t ry  to 

s o l ve   w h at 

 
 
 
-  15  -

a re   now  d e e p - r o o t ed   p r o b l e m s.  

C e r t a i n l y,  

as   e x p e r i e n ce   is 

g a i n ed   u n d er   t h is   p r o g r a m me  t he   r o le   of  t he  Community   v i s - à-

v is  

b o th  

t h is   p r o g r a m me 

a nd  

o t h er   R &D 

p r o g r a m m es  of 

i n t e r e st   to   i n d u s t r y,  

c an  be   f i n e - t u n ed   to   s u ch   an  e x t e nt 

t h at   i ts  e f f i c i e n cy   is   o p t i m a l. 

T h at   i s, t he   e x p e n d i t u re   of 

p u b l ic   'money  a nd   i n s t i t u t i o n al  

i n v o l v e m e nt   c an  be   m i n i m i s ed 

to   o n ly  t h at   w h i ch   is   n e c e s s a ry   in  t he   l i g ht   of   i n d u s t r y 's 

own  r e s o u r c es   a nd  of   d e v e l o p m e n ts   t a k i ng  p l a ce  o u t s i de   t he 

C o m m u n i ty  . 

32. 

T he  

C o u n c il  

is   a s k ed  

to  

a g r ee 

w i th  

t he  

g e n e r al 

g u i d e l i n es   as  s et  o ut   a b o ve   and  to   a p p r o ve   t he  two   a t t a c h ed 

p r o g r a m me   p r o p o s a l s. 

-  16  -

ANNEX  I 

B R I EF   D E S C R I P T I ON   OF  E X I S T I NG   S U B - P R O G R A M M ES  

Community  Bureau  of  Reference  (BCR) 

The  BCR  sub-programme  is   aimed  at  improving  the  a c c u r a cy  of 

measurements  and  thereby  the   harmony  of  the   r e s u l ts   of  such   measurements 

throughout 

the   Community. 

I ts  

f i e ld  

of  a c t i on   c o v e rs  metrology, 

a n a l y t i c al   chemistry  and   t e c h n o l o g i c al   measurements.  Work  is  undertaken 

on  problems  of  economic,  commercial  or   i n d u s t r i al   importance  at  the 

l e v el   of  the   Community,  thus  g i v i ng   BCR  a  p u b l ic  s e r v i ce  c h a r a c t e r. 

The  improvements  produced  by  the   programme  are  a c h i e v ed  by 

- 

Intercomparisons  i . e.   c o l l a b o r a t i on  e x e r c i s es  

in   which 

s e v e r al 

h i g h ly  q u a l i f i ed  l a b o r a t o r i es   compare  t h e ir  r e s u l t s,  d i s c u ss   the 

cause  of  

d i s c r e p a n c i es  

and 

i n v e s t i g a te  

the 

p o s s i b i l i t i es  

of 

e l i m i n a t i ng   the  i d e n t i f i ed  causes  of   e r r o rs 

p r e p a r i ng  m e t r o l o g i c al  t r a n s f er   standards  or   s i m i l a r ly  r e f e r e n ce 

m a t e r i a ls  

to  g i ve   the  p o s s i b i l i ty   to  a ll  o t h er  u s e rs  in  the 

Community  to  a l i gn  t h e ir   measurements  by  b e t t er  c a l i b r a t i on   of 

t h e ir   equipment  and  methodology. 

Accuracy  can  be  confirmed   only  by  comparison  and   t h e r e f o re   the 

programme  is   e s s e n t i a l ly   a  c o l l a b o r a t i ve   u n d e r t a k i n g.  

L a b o r a t o r i es   of 

a ll   member 

c o u n t r i es  

w i th  

s u f f i c i e nt  

e x p e r t i se  

a re  

i n v i t ed  

to 

p a r t i c i p a t e.  

P a r t i c i p a t i on   is  a l so   open  to  a ll  l a b o r a t o r i es   of  the  JRC. 

While  measurements  are  done  by  a  l a r ge  v a r i e ty   of  l a b o r a t o r i e s, 

there  is  needed  f or these   measurements  a p p r o p r i a te   i n s t r u m e n ts  which  are 

s t a b le   and  r e l i a b l e,   or  m a t e r i a ls   samples  and  substances   which  are 

s t a b le   and  homogeneous. 

P r o v i s i on   of  these  is  another  aim  of  the 

programme. 

The  p r i o r i ty   f i e l ds   covered  by  the  BCR   programme  as  an   i n d i r e ct 

a c t i on   are 

- 

- 

- 

m e c h a n i c al  metrology 

o p t i c al   metrology 

temperature  metrology 

-  17  -

e l e c t r i c al   metrology 

flow  measurement 

a n a l y s es   f or  environment 

a n a l y s es   f or   food 

a n a l y s es   of  metals  and  raw   m a t e r i a ls 

measurement  f or  m a t e r i a ls  m e c h a n i c al  p r o p e r t i es 

b i o m e d i c al   a n a l y s i s. 

T h is   programme  has  the   f l e x i b i l i ty   to  adapt   i t s e lf   to  p a r t i c u l ar 

needs  not  f o r e s e en   and  which  may  emerge.  It has   a l so   the  p o s s i b i l i ty   of 

being  adapted  to  changing   needs  or  requirements  of  the   other  departments 

of  the  Commission  (DG  I I I, V I, X I ). 

-  18 -

N u c l e ar   Measurements 

The  Reference Measurements and Reference  M a t e r i a ls   sub-programme is 

c a r r i ed   out  under  the  r e s p o n s i b i l i ty  of  t he  JRC   G e el   E s t a b l i s h m e nt 

(CBNM).  Most  of the  work  is  performed  at the  CBNM, b ut   c o l l a b o r a t i on 

w i th   l a b o r a t o r i es   of the Member   S t a t es   is  m a i n t a i n ed   and  h e lp   on  some 

a s p e c ts  

from 

n a t i o n al 

l a b o r a t o r i es   is   sought 

e i t h er   by  mutual 

c o l l a b o r a t i on   or  by   c o n t r a c t.  

Most  of  the   work  i n v o l v ed   has  the 

o b j e c t i ve   of   h e l p i ng   the n u c l e ar  i n d u s t r y,   b ut a  

s i g n i f i c a nt   p a rt  is 

a l so   o r i e n t ed   towards non-nuclear  a p p l i c a t i o n s. 

As  i ts  name  i m p l i e s,   the u n d e r l y i ng  e x p e r t i se   of t he   sub-programme 

is   that  of   measurement  s c i e n c e,   more 

s p e c i f i c a l ly   the  s c i e n ce   of 

accurate  measurements  w i th   w e ll  d e f i n ed 

e r r o r s,   and  the   theme  of 

p r o v i d i ng  

standards  and  r e f e r e n c es   as  a  c e n t r a l i s ed 

s e r v i ce   is 

emphasized. 

T h is   sub-programme's  o b j e c t i v es   a re : 

(a)  To  p r o v i de 

b a s ic   neutron  c r o ss 

s e c t i on   data  to  the   r e q u i r ed 

accuracy  to  h e lp   understand  many  a s p e c ts   of   o p t i m i s i ng   the  d e s i gn 

and 

o p e r a t i on   of  f i s s i on  

r e a c t o rs   and  a s s o c i a t ed  

i n d u s t r i al 

p r o c e s s es   and a l so   to  h e lp   the t e c h n o l o g i c al   development of   f u s i on 

r e a c t o r s. 

(b)  To  p r o v i de  s p e c i a l i s ed  r e f e r e n ce  m a t e r i a ls  r e q u i r ed   by  the   n u c l e ar 

i n d u s t r y,  e s p e c i a l ly  

concerned  w i th   a n a l y t i c al  measurements in 

the  n u c l e ar   f u el   c y c l e,   the measurement  of  i n - p i le   n e u t r on   dose and 

the  measurement  of   environmental  r a d i o a c t i v i t i es   due  to  man's 

e x p l o i t a t i on   of  n u c l e ar   power. 

(c)  To use   n u c l e ar   measurement  techniques   to  develop  and  c h a r a c t e r i se 

r e f e r e n c es   in (1) the  measurement  of  t r a c es   of  m e t a ls   in  b i o l o g i c al 

m a t e r i a ls   and hence to  h e lp   understand  the e f f e ct   of   e n v i r o n m e n t al 

t r a ce   on  h e a l th   and (2) the  a n a l y s es   of the  s u r f a c es   of   m a t e r i a ls 

which  a re  i n c r e a s i ng   importance  to the  semiconductor  i n d u s t r y,   to 

the  c h e m i c al   i n d u s t ry   and to the  metals  i n d u s t r y. 

-  19  -

(d)  To  g i ve  d i r e ct  h e lp  to  the   programme  of  the   Community  r e f e r e n ce 

Bureau  in  the  p r e p a r a t i o n,  c o n d i t i o n i n g,   sampling  and 

c o n s e r v a t i on 

of  some n o n - n u c l e ar   r e f e r e n ce  m a t e r i a l s. 

(e)  To 

develop 

and 

apply 

n u c l e ar   measurement  techniques 

to 

the 

metrology  of  r a d i o n u c l i de   decay  (important  a c t i n i de  i s o t o p es  in  the 

f u el   c y c l e,  i s o t o p es   used  in   medicine,  etc.)  to  the   metrology  of 

n e u t r on   f l ux  and   dose  ( e s p e c i a l ly  dose  absorbed  by  humans)  and  to 

the  measurement  of  t r a ce  i m p u r i t i es  in  the   atmosphere. 

( f)   To 

c o n t r i b u te   where 

p o s s i b le 

to 

the 

b e t t er   measurement 

of 

fundamental  c o n s t a n t s,   s p e c i f i c a l ly   to  t h at  of  the   atomic  weight  of 

s i l i c on   which  in  t u rn   w i ll   l e ad  to  a  b e t t er  v a l ue  of  the   Avogadro 

c o n s t a n t. 

(g)  To 

g i ve  d i r e ct  h e lp 

to  the   Euratom  Safeguards  D i r e c t o r a te  by 

p e r f o r m i ng   v e r i f i c a t i on   a n a l y s es  of   safeguards  samples. 

The  sub-programme  is  l a r g e ly  a  c o n t i n u a t i on  of  the   JRC's  1980-83 

programme  on  N u c l e ar   Measurements,  but  to   t h is   has  now  been  added  a  few 

items  which  appeared  p r e v i o u s ly  in  other   programmes,  e.g.  a n a l y t i c al 

measurements  f or  the   Safeguards  I n s p e c t o r a t e, 

to   make  it  the  

t o t al 

a c t i v i ty   of  JRC  G e e l. 

The   sub-programme  a l so  has   some  r e o r i e n t a t i on 

from  f i s s i on   to  f u s i on  r e a c t o rs  and   about  a  15%  r e o r i e n t a t i on   towards 

non-nuclear  work. 

-  20  -

High  Temperature  M a t e r i a ls 

The  High  Temperature  M a t e r i a ls  sub-programme  aims  at   s a t i s f y i ng   the 

need  f or  c o n s t r u c t i o n al  m a t e r i a ls  f or  long-term 

s e r v i ce  in  h i gh 

temperature  a g g r e s s i ve   environments,  in   p a r t i c u l ar   in  the   c r i t i c al   areas 

of 

important 

i n d u s t r i al   p r o c e s s e s. 

It  thus  p r o v i d es  a  

s c i e n t i f ic 

s e r v i c e,   concerned  w i th  m a t e r i a ls  i n f o r m a t i o n,  data  h a n d l i ng  and   d i r e ct 

r e s e a r ch   programmes,  which  a i ds  the   development  of  improved  e n g i n e e r i ng 

m a t e r i a ls   and  components. 

The  work  in   t h is   sub-programme  is   d i r e c t ed   towards  : 

- 

development  of  new  and  improved  m a t e r i a ls  designed   s p e c i f i c a l ly   f or 

- 

- 

- 

- 

o p e r a t i on   in  the   environments  of  i n d u s t r i al   p r o c e s s e s, 

c h a r a c t e r i s a t i on of  the  p r o p e r t i es of  m a t e r i a ls  and   components, 

m a t e r i a ls  p r o d u c t i on  and  p r o c e s s i n g, 

development  of  p r o t o t y pe   components, 

shaping  of   components  by  machining  and  o t h er  p r o c e s s e s, 

j o i n i ng   technology, 

d e s i gn  and   l i f e t i me   p r e d i c t i o n, 

f a i l u re   a n a l y s i s / p l a nt o p e r a t i o n al  e x p e r i e n c e. 

Emphasis  is  p l a c ed  on  h i gh   temperature  m a t e r i a ls  such   m e t a l l ic 

a l l o y s,   c o a t i n g s,  e n g i n e e r i ng  ceramics,   r e f r a c t o r i es   and  composites. 

The  major  economic  importance  of  t e c h n o l o g i c al  developments  in  the 

f i e ld   of  HTM  is  d e r i v ed   from  the  f a ct   t h at  they  enable  the  f o l l o w i ng 

requirements  to  be  met  : 

- 

- 

- 

i n c r e a s ed   e f f i c i e n c y,   through  h i g h er  p r o c e ss  temperatures, 

improved  r e l i a b i l i t y,   thus  r e d u c i ng   shut-downs, 

s a f e t y, both  f or  o p e r a t o rs  and  the   l o c al   p o p u l a t i o n, 

longer  d e s i gn   l i v e s,   thus  s p r e a d i ng  the   c a p i t al   needs, 

- 

t o l e r a n ce  of  the   i n c r e a s i n g ly   c o r r o s i ve  environments  which  r e s u lt 

from  the  use  of  lower   grade  f u e l s. 

-  21  -

C o l l a b o r a t i o ns   e x i st   w i th  a   number  of  n a t i o n al  and  

i n d u s t r i al 

o r g a n i s a t i o ns  

which 

can 

be 

grouped 

a c c o r d i ng 

to 

the 

f o l l o w i ng 

c a t e g o r i es   : 

Research  d i v i s i o ns  of  m a t e r i a ls   producers  f or  the  o p t i m i s a t i on  of 

p r o p e r t i e s, 

P l a nt 

d e s i gn 

and 

p r o c e ss  

development 

o r g a n i s a t i o ns 

f or 

the 

s e l e c t i on   of  m a t e r i a l s, 

C o n s t r u c t o rs  and  o p e r a t o rs  of  p l a nt  f or  the   e f f e ct   of  s e r v i ce  on 

m a t e r i a ls  as  w e ll  as  the   above  a s p e c t s, 

Research  i n s t i t u t es   and  u n i v e r s i t i es f or  m e c h a n i s t ic   knowledge. 

-  22 -

European  C o - o p e r a t i on   in t he  F i e ld   of  S c i e n t i f ic   and T e c h n i c al   Research 

(COST)  A c t i o ns 

COST  501  -  P r o j e ct   on  h i gh   temperature  m a t e r i a ls   f or   c o n v e n t i o n al   

systems of  energy  g e n e r a t i on   and c o n v e r s i on  u s i ng   f o s s il   f u e ls 

The  main  o b j e c t i ve   of   t h is   p r o j e ct   is to  d e v e l op  and  c o - o r d i n a te 

r e s e a r ch   through  c o n c e r t ed  a c t i on  by t he  p a r t i c i p a n t s,  in  o r d er   to : 

- 

improve  t he  p r o p e r t i es   and  assessment  of   m a t e r i a ls   n e c e s s a ry  f or 

long-term  use  at   h i gh  

temperature  in   energy 

c o n v e r s i on   and 

p r o d u c t i on  

i n s t a l l a t i o ns   and  i n s t a l l a t i o ns   u s i ng   t he  p r o d u c ts  of 

c o n v e r s i o n,   as w e ll  as in  o t h er   advanced  systems; 

- 

e v o l ve   new  methods  f or t he  p r o c e s s i ng   of   m a t e r i a ls   in  o r d er   to 

ensure  t h e ir   economic  u t i l i s a t i o n; 

- 

study  t he   p o s s i b i l i t i es  

a f f o r d ed   by  s u b s t i t u te  m a t e r i a ls   f or 

c o n v e n t i o n al  h i gh   temperature  a l l o y s. 

The  r e s u l ts  of t he  work a re  expected  to  c o n t r i b u te   to : 

(1)  improved  f u el   e f f i c i e n cy   (e.g.  p e t r o l,   c o a l,   combined  c o al  and  o i l, 

l i g n i t e,   p e a t,   e t c . ); 

(2)  b e t t er  s e r v i ce   performance and economy of  p l a nt   and equipment; 

(3)  more  economic  use  of   m a t e r i a ls 

w i th  

p a r t i c u l ar  

r e f e r e n ce   to 

c o n s e r v a t i on   of  s t r a t e g ic  elements  and r e c y c l i n g; 

(4)  b e t t er  p o l l u t i on c o n t r o l. 

COST 502 -  P r o j e ct   on C o r r o s i on   in t he  C o n s t r u c t i on  I n d u s t ry 

The  main  aim  of   t h is   p r o j e ct   is  to   d e v e l op   and 

c o - o r d i n a te 

c o - o p e r a t i ve 

r e s e a r ch  w i th   a  v i ew   to   making  more  e f f i c i e nt   u se of 

m a t e r i a ls   employed  in t he  c o n s t r u c t i on  i n d u s t ry   and to  r e d u c i ng  l o s s es 

due  to  c o r r o s i o n. 

Some of t he  p a r t i c u l ar   aims a re as  f o l l o ws  : 

- 

t he  a p p l i c a t i on  of new  methods  of  c o r r o s i on  r e s e a r ch   and  c o r r o s i on 

p r e v e n t i o n; 

the  b e t t er   use of t he  s t r e n g th   of  m a t e r i a ls   by  a v o i d i ng  c o r r o s i on 

problems  o f t en  a s s o c i a t ed  w i th  h e a v i ly  s t r e s s ed  m a t e r i a l s; 

-  23 -

t he  i n t r o d u c t i on   of  new   t e c h n o l o g i es   or   p r o c e s s e s,   where  the 

c o n t r ol   of  c o r r o s i on  problems  has been t he key  problem; 

the 

s a f e g u a r d i ng 

a g a i n st   t he   i n c r e a s ed  

c o r r o s i v i ty   of  many 

e n v i r o n m e n t s,   in t he  atmosphere,  in water   and in t he   s o i l; 

- 

t he   development  and  t e s t i ng   of  new  m a t e r i a ls   and  methods  of 

p r o t e c t i o n. 

COST 503 - P r o j e ct  on powder  m e t a l l u r gy 

The  main   aim  of   t h is   p r o j e ct   is  to   develop  and  c o - o r d i n a te 

c o - o p e r a t i ve  r e s e a r ch  w i th   a  v i ew   to  m a i n t a i n i ng   and s t r e n g t h e n i ng  t he 

c o m p e t i t i ve   p o s i t i on   of  t he   European  powder  m e t a l l u r gy  i n d u s t ry   by 

i n c r e a s i ng   i ts  t e c h n o l o g i c al c a p a c i ty   f or  t he  p r o c e s s i ng   of powder. 

S p e c i f ic   a r e as  of  r e s e a r ch   under  t h is   p r o j e ct   r e l a te   to : 

(1)  P r e p a r a t i on   and c h a r a c t e r i s a t i on  of  m e t al   powders 

v (2)  Powder  compaction 

(3)  S i n t e r i ng 

(4)  Spray  c a s t i ng  of   s t e e ls   w i th   h ot  compacting  e s p e c i a l ly   f or   c u t t i ng 

t o o ls 

(5)  Q u a l i ty  c o n t r ol 

(6)  Development  of   g u i d e l i n es   f or t he  d e s i gn   of  powder m e t a l l u r g i c al 

p a r ts 

(7)  Improvement  in  p r o d u ct  performance 

COST 504 - P r o j e ct  on C a s t i n gs   Technology 

The  main   aim  of   t h is   p r o j e ct   is  to   develop  and  c o - o r d i n a te 

c o - o p e r a t i ve  r e s e a r ch   to  encourage  t he use of new   techniques  in  c a s t i ng 

to  manufacture  p r o d u c ts  of  b e t t er   q u a l i ty   and ensure t he   c o m p e t i t i v e n e ss 

of  t he  i n d u s t r y. 

-  24  -

S p e c i f ic   areas  of  r e s e a r ch   under  t h is   p r o j e ct  r e l a te  to  : 

(1) 

D i r e ct  c a s t i ng  of  c l o se  to   f i n al   shape  s e m i - f i n i s h ed   p r o d u c ts   of 

base  m e t al   a l l o ys w i th  m e l t i ng  p o i n ts   above  1000°C  i n c l u d i ng  s t e e ls 

( e s p e c i a l ly   s t a i n l e ss  s t e e l) 

(2)  Improving  the  p r o d u c t i v i ty  and  q u a l i ty  of   n o d u l ar   c a st  i r on 

(S.G. 

i r o n ),   s t e el  and   n o n - f e r r o us   c a s t i n gs 

(3) 

I n f l u e n ce  of  m e t a l l u r g i c al  f a c t o rs  ( e s p e c i a l ly  p u r i t y)  of

  p r i m a ry 

and  secondary  aluminium  a l l o ys   upon  c a s t i ng   p r o c e ss   t e c h n o l o gy   and 

p r o p e r t i es  of  c a s t i n gs 

COST  505  -  P r o j e ct  on  m a t e r i a ls  f or   steam  t u r b i n es 

The  main  aim  of  the  p r o j e ct  is  to   improve  the  e f f i c i e n cy  and 

r e l i a b i l i ty   of  steam  t u r b i n es  by  an   improved  knowledge  of 

m a t e r i a ls 

b e h a v i o ur   in  c o n d i t i o ns  r e l e v a nt  to  s e r v i c e. 

The  t e c h n i c al  o b j e c t i v es  of   t h is   p r o j e ct  a re  : 

to   improve  the  e f f i c i e n cy of  d e s i gn  of  t u r b i ne   components; 

- 

to  ensure  t h at  m a t e r i a ls  w i th   adequate  performance  a re  a v a i l a b le  to 

meet  new  demands  of  the  i n d u s t r y; 

- 

to  p r o v i de  an   improved  b a s is  f or  the  e s t i m a t i on  of   r e m a i n i ng  

l i fe 

in   c o n s e r v a t i v e ly   designed  t u r b i ne   equipment. 

Research  w i ll   r e l a te   s p e c i f i c a l ly   to  : 

(1) 

E f f e c ts  of   environment  on  p r o p e r t i es 

(2) 

F r a c t u re   mechanics 

(3) 

C o r r o s i o n - e r o s i on  and  h a r d - f a c i ng  m a t e r i a ls 

(4) 

B o l t i ng  m a t e r i a ls 

(5) 

E s t i m a t i on  of  r e s i d u al   l i fe 

(6) 

E f f e c ts  of   w e l d i ng   and  s t r e ss   r e l i ef 

(7) 

I n c r e a s ed  

r e l i a b i l i ty   of  components 

(8)  H i gh   temperature  p r o p e r t i es 

-  25 -

T e x t i l es 

The  g e n e r al   aim  of  t he   T e x t i l es   sub-programme  is to   m a i n t a in   and 

expand  t he   i n d u s t r i al   and  commercial  p o t e n t i al   of  the   t e x t i le   and 

c l o t h i ng   i n d u s t ry   in t he Community.   Because  i ts p o s i t i on  at  w o r l d - l e v el 

can  o n ly   be  defended  if a   s u s t a i n ed   e f f o rt   is  made  in t he   d i r e c t i on  of 

t e c h n o l o g i c al   i n n o v a t i o n,   such  i n n o v a t i on   is t he   r e s e a r ch  o b j e c t i ve   of 

t h is   sub-programme. 

The  sub-programme  c o n s i s ts   of  f o ur  s e c t i o ns   : 

(a)  Garment  p h y s i o l o gy   and  c o n s t r u c t i on 

The 

f i r st  

p a rt   of  t he  programme,  

s p e c i f i c a l ly   concerned 

w i th 

garment  c o m f o r t,   is   c l o s e ly  l i n k ed  w i th   the  t e x t i le  

i n d u s t r y. 

Amongst  o t h er  t h i n g s,   it is   i n t e n d ed  t h at   a  harmonized  system  of 

s i z es   be  brought 

i n to  p l ay   at  Community  

l e v el   in   order  to 

f a c i l i t a te   intra-Community  t r a d e. 

(b) 

Q u a l i ty   of   k n i t t ed  f a b r i cs  and  k n i t t ed   a r t i c l es 

The  o b j e c t i ve   in   t h is   case  is  to   a c h i e ve 

g r e a t er  

s t a b i l i ty   as 

r e g a r ds   t he  s i ze   of  b o th   k n i t t ed 

f a b r i cs   and 

k n i t t ed  

a r t i c l e s. 

The  aim  is   improve  c o m p e t i t i v e n e ss  

by  e s t a b l i s h i ng   a  b e t t er 

p r i c e / q u a l i ty  

r a t i o.  

T h is 

s h o u l d,   however,  be   accompanied  by 

i n c r e a s ed  

f l e x i b i l i ty   and  t he   c a p a c i ty   to   r e a ct   more  s w i f t ly   to 

market  f l u c t u a t i o n s,  b o th   of   w h i ch   a s p e c ts  should  d e r i ve   from  the 

sub-programme. 

(c)  A p p l i c a t i on  of new  s p i n n i ng  t e c h n o l o g i es   in t he  wool  i n d u s t r y. 

The  European  w o ol   s e c t or  w i th  i ts  300,000 workers  a l r e a dy   possesses 

c o n s i d e r a b le  t e c h n o l o g i c al  know-how.  It  produces  j u st   over  h a lf  of 

the  w o r l d 's   combed  and  carded  y a r n.  

The  sub-programme  thus  aims 

s p e c i f i c a l ly   to  p r e s e r ve   such  v a l u a b le   knowledge  and  experience  and 

to   expand  it  s t i ll   f u r t h e r. 

-  26  -

(d)  U p g r a d i ng   of  l i n en 

The  c o n c e rn  in  t h is   case  is  to  e x p l o it  a  h i g h - q u a l i ty  n a t u r al  f i b re 

w h i ch   has  the   advantage  of  b e i ng   produced  in  the   Community. 

A  new 

v a r i e ty  of  f a b r i cs  can  be   c r e a t ed   on  the   b a s is   of 

s u i t a b le 

m i x t u r es   of  l i n e n,   c o t t on   and 

a r t i f i c i al   f i b r e s. 

In   o r d er   to 

do 

t h i s,   the  whole  l i n en   p r o d u c t i on   p r o c e ss   must  be  m o d e r n i z e d,   from 

crop  c u l t i v a t i on  r i g ht   t h r o u gh  to  the  f i n i s h ed   p r o d u c t. 

The 

aim 

of 

the   r e s e a r c h,   w h i ch   is   b e i ng   u n d e r t a k en   by 

s e v e r al 

d i f f e r e nt  l a b o r a t o r i e s, 

is  to   improve  the  c o n s i s t e n cy   and 

q u a l i ty 

of  l i n e n - b a s ed   p r o d u c ts   at  a ll   s t a g es   of  p r o d u c t i on  

:  r e t t i n g, 

s c u t c h i n g,   c a r d i n g,   s p i n n i n g,   w e a v i n g,   d y e i n g,   e t c. 

In 

a d d i t i o n, 

e f f o r ts   w i ll   be  made  to  upgrade  the  f i n i s h ed   p r o d u c ts   in  r e l a t i on 

to  t h e ir   uses  :  c l o t h i n g,  i n t e r i or   d e c o r a t i o n,   e t c. 

The 

r e s u l ts 

of 

the   r e s e a r ch  

w i ll  

be 

d i s t r i b u t ed 

as   w i d e ly  

as 

p o s s i b le  to   f a c i l i t a te   the  p r a c t i c al  a p p l i c a t i on  and  e x p l o i t a t i on  of 

the 

r e s u l ts  f or  the  b e n e f it  of  the   European  t e x t i l es  i n d u s t ry  as  a   whole. 

- 

27 

-

S t e el   Research 

The 

S t e el   Research  sub-programme  c o n t r i b u t es  to   common  r e s e a r ch 

needs 

in  b o th 

p r o c e s s - o r i e n t ed 

and 

p r o d u c t - o r i e n t ed 

s e c t o rs 

of 

t e c h n o l o gy  w i th  the  u l t i m a te  o b j e c t i ve  of  enhacing  the  

i n t e r n a t i o n al 

c o m p e t i t i v e n e ss  of  t he   Community's  s t e el   i n d u s t r y.   P r i o r i ty   is  g i v en  to 

a p p l i ed   problems  h a v i ng   short-to-medium  term  g o a ls   where  t h e re  a re 

o p p o r t u n i t i es   to   reduce  p r o d u c t i on  c o s ts  and  

r a i se   p r o d u c t i v i t y,   to 

improve  p r o d u ct  

q u a l i ty   and  to   promote  s t e el   as  an  e n g i n e e r i ng  and 

s t r u c t u r al  m a t e r i a l. 

The 

s c i e n t i f ic   and 

t e c h n i c al   r e s e a r ch  b e i ng  undertaken 

in   t h is 

sub-programme  f a l ls   i n to   the  f o l l o w i ng   f i ve   main  f i e l ds   : 

( i)  

i r on   ore  r e d u c t i on 

Two  of  the   main  concerns  are  i m p r o v i ng  the  o p e r a t i on  of  the   b l a st 

f u r n a ce  -  so  as  to   enhance  p r o d u c t i v i ty   as  w e ll   as  to   improve  raw 

m a t e r i al   u t i l i s a t i on   -  and  r e d u c i ng   energy  c o s t s. 

S i n ce   energy  c o s ts 

r e p r e s e nt   about  one 

t h i rd   of  the   t o t al   c o s ts  of   i r on   p r o d u c t i o n,  the 

scope  to  a c h i e ve  i m p o r t a nt   economic  b e n e f i ts is c o n s i d e r a b l e. 

( i i)   s t e e l m a k i ng 

A  major  p a rt  of  the   e f f o rt   in  s t e e l m a k i ng  d e a ls  w i th  the  c o n t i n u o us 

c a s t i ng   p r o c e s s,   where  the  main  o b j e c t i v es  a re  to   improve  the  s u r f a ce 

and  i n t e r n al   q u a l i ty   of  c a st  p r o d u c ts  and  to   advance  the  c o n t r ol   and 

o p e r a t i ng   performance  of  c a s t i ng  machines.  C o n s i d e r a b le   energy  s a v i n gs 

can  be  g a i n ed  due  to  the  reduced   number  of  p r o c e s s i ng  s t e ps  i n v o l v e d. 

P r o j e c ts   a re  a l so  b e i ng  undertaken   aimed  at  r e d u c i ng  o p e r a t i ng  c o s ts  in 

e l e c t r ic   a rc  s t e e l m a k i n g,  d e v e l o p i ng   enhanced  r e f r a c t o ry   m a t e r i a ls  and 

l o n g e r - t e rm   fundamental   s t u d i es  of  the  thermochemical 

p r o p e r t i es  of 

s t e e l m a k i ng  m a t e r i a l s. 

-  28 -

( i i i)   r o l l i ng   and m e c h a n i c al  w o r k i ng 

The  r e s e a r ch   on  r o l l i ng   m i l ls   ranges  from  t he  development  of  energy 

s a v i ng   measures  in  i n g ot  r e h e a t i ng  f u r n a c es   to  s t u d i es   on  r e d u c i ng   m i ll 

maintenance  c o s ts   by  p r o l o n g i ng  

r o ll  

l i f e.  

In  h ot   r o l l i ng   ,  t he 

r e s e a r ch  

r e f l e c ts   the  i n t e r e st   in   o p t i m i s i ng   s t e el  

p r o p e r t i es   by 

c o n t r o l l ed   d e f o r m a t i on   and  c o o l i ng  t e c h n i q u e s,  w h i le   improvements  in 

shape  c o n t r ol   remain  a  f o c al   p o i nt   of t he  e f f o rt   in t he  c o ld  

f i e l d. 

( i v)   measurements  and a n a l y s is 

A  major  p a rt   of  t he   r e s e a r ch   on  measurements  and  a n a l y s is  d e a ls 

w i th  

q u a l i ty   assessment  and  i n s p e c t i o n,   p a r t i c u l a r ly   at   e l e v a t ed 

temperatures. 

A l s o,   t he  demand  f or  h i g h er  s t a n d a r ds  w i th  r e g a rd   to 

d i m e n s i o n al  accuracy   and  s u r f a ce   q u a l i ty   of  r o l l ed   p r o d u c ts   c a l ls   f or 

the  development  of  more   advanced  m o n i t o r i ng   and  c o n t r ol   methods.  In 

c h e m i c al   a n a l y s i s,   r e s e a r ch   is  undertaken  to   improve  t he   a c c u r a cy   and 

speed  of  a n a l y t i c al   t e c h n i q u es   f or use  in  p r o c e ss   c o n t r ol   at   v a r i o us 

stages  of  i r on   and  s t e el   p r o d u c t i o n. 

(v)  p r o p e r t i es  and  s e r v i ce   performance 

In   t he   f i e ld   of p r o p e r t i es  and  s e r v i ce  performance  of   s t e e l,   w h i ch 

r e p r e s e n ts   one  t h i rd   of t he   t o t al   programme,  t h e re   is a   c o n t i n u i ng   need 

f or   a  b e t t er   s c i e n t i f ic   u n d e r s t a n d i ng   of   w e l d a b i l i t y,   c o r r o s i on   and 

p r o t e c t i on  

methods, 

f r a c t u re  

p r o p e r t i e s,  

f o r m a b i l i ty  

and 

h i gh 

temperature  p r o p e r t i e s. 

In   p a r a l l e l,   more  s p e c i f ic   development  work  i n c l u d es   i n v e s t i g a t i o ns 

on  s t e e ls   f or  o f f s h o re  s t r u c t u r es  and  gas   t r a n s m i s s i on   p i p e l i n e s,  f or 

e l e c t r i c i ty   g e n e r a t i on   and f or  automobile  a p p l i c a t i o n s.   The  o v e r a ll   aim 

is   to  p r o t e ct  and to  s t r e n g t h en   e x i s t i ng   as w e ll   as  open  up  new  markets 

f or   s t e el   w i th   emphasis  on  t he  p r o d u c t i on   of more   s o p h i s t i c a t ed h i g h er 

v a l ue   added  p r o d u c t s. 

-  29  -

P i l ot   P r o j e c ts  f or  the  S t e el  I n d u s t ry 

In  a d d i t i on  to  t e c h n o l o g i c al  r e s e a r ch   a c t i v i t i es   t h e re  is  a   growing 

p a r a l l el   need  to  e s t a b l i sh  the   f e a s i b i l i ty   of  i n n o v a t i ve 

t e c h n o l o g i es 

through  p i l ot   and/or  d e m o n s t r a t i on   p r o j e c ts  up  to  the  o p e r a t i o n al  stage. 

The  need  is   p a r t i c u l a r ly   a c u te   in  the  i r on  and  s t e el  i n d u s t ry   because 

the  p o t e n t i al  to  i n n o v a te  has   been  s e r i o u s ly  weakened  by  a  d e t e r i o r a t i ng 

f i n a n c i al   s i t u a t i o n.   Numerous  v a l u a b le  new   p r o c e s s es   and 

t e c h n o l o g i es 

have,  over  the  y e a r s,   been  developed  in  the   European  s t e el  i n d u s t ry  but 

have  remained  u n e x p l o i t e d. 

T h is  has   been  due,  in  l a r ge   measure,  to  the 

high  c o st  of   i n d u s t r i al   development,  heavy  c a p i t al   i n v e s t m e n t,   l o c al   of 

a p p r o p r i a te  f u n d i ng  and  t e c h n i c al   r i s k. 

Under 

t h is   sub-programme,  t h e r e f o r e, 

the   Commission  may 

grant 

f i n a n c i al   s u p p o rt   f or   p i l ot   and  d e m o n s t r a t i on   p r o j e c ts  in  the  i r on  and 

s t e el  

i n d u s t ry 

t h at  

w i ll   p e r m it  

the 

t r a n s i t i on  

to 

i n d u s t r i al  

and 

commercial  e x p l o i t a t i on  of  p r o d u c t i on 

t e c h n i q u e s,   p r o c e s s es   and 

p l a nt 

and  p r o d u c ts   t h at  are  i n n o v a t o ry  in   themselves  or  in   t h e ir   a p p l i c a t i o n s, 

and 

f or   w h i ch   major 

c a p i t al   e x p e n d i t u re   is  r e q u i r ed 

to  e s t a b l i sh 

t e c h n i c al   and/or  commercial 

f e a s i b i l i t y.  

The 

p r o j e c ts   must  o f f er 

p r o s p e c ts 

of   economic  v i a b i l i ty   demonstrated  by  p r e v i o us 

s t u d i es 

and 

r e s e a r c h. 

The  p i l ot   s t a ge   is  c h a r a c t e r i s ed  by  the  c o n s t r u c t i o n,  o p e r a t i on  and 

development  of  an  

i n s t a l l a t i on   h a v i ng   an  adequate  c a p a c i ty  and 

u s i ng 

s u i t a b ly   l a r ge   components  w i th  a   v i ew   to  v e r i f y i ng the   p r a c t i c a b i l i ty   of 

t h e o r e t i c al   or  l a b o r a t o ry   concepts  and/or  i n c r e a s i ng  the   r e l i a b i l i ty   of 

the  t e c h n i c al  and   economic  date  needed  to   p r o g r e ss   to  the   demonstration 

stage,  and  in  c e r t a in   cases  to  the   i n d u s t r i al   and/or  commercial  stage. 

The  d e m o n s t r a t i on   stage  is  c h a r a c t e r i s ed  by  the  c o n s t r u c t i on   and/or 

o p e r a t i on 

of  an 

i n d u s t r i a l - s c a le   i n s t a l l a t i on   which  should  make  it 

p o s s i b le  to  b r i ng  t o g e t h er 

a ll  the  t e c h n i c al  and

  economic  d a t a,  in 

order 

to   p r o c e ed  

at 

the 

l e a st  p o s s i b le  

r i sk  

to 

the  

commercial 

and/or  i n d u s t r i al   e x p l o i t a t i on of  the   t e c h n o l o g y. 

-  30  -

Any 

f i r m,   r e s e a r ch   i n s t i t u te   or  o t h er   body  h a v i ng  an  

a c t i v i ty 

r e l a t ed   to  i r on   and  s t e el   e s t a b l i s h ed   in  the   t e r r i t o ry   of  the   Member 

S t a t e s,   may  submit  a p p l i c a t i o ns   to  the   Commission  f or   f i n a n c i al   a id 

under 

t h is  

sub-programme. 

A ll   p r o j e c ts  

must 

r e l a te  

to 

the 

i m p l e m e n t a t i on  of  new  t e c h n i q u es  or  t e c h n o l o g i es  w i th  the  

f o l l o w i ng 

o b j e c t i v e ( s)   :  r e d u c t i on  in  p r o d u c t i on  and  o p e r a t i ng   c o s t s,   improvement 

in   p l a nt   p r o d u c t i v i t y,   h i g h er  p r o d u ct   q u a l i t y,   r e d u c t i on  in  the   c a p i t al 

c o st   of  p l a n t,   development  of  new  p r o c e s s es  or  p r o d u c t i on  

f a c i l i t i e s, 

improvement  of  p r o d u ct  performance  or  i n c r e a se  in  the  range  of  p r o d u ct 

a p p l i c a t i o n s. 

They must  a l so   s a t i s fy   t he   f o l l o w i ng   c o n d i t i o ns  : 

they  must 

r e l a te  

to  

p i l ot  

i n d u s t r i al  

i n s t a l l a t i o ns  

or 

d e m o n s t r a t i on   i n s t a l l a t i o n s, 

they  must  e x p l o it   t e c h n i q u es  or  p r o c e s s es  w h i ch  a re  i n n o v a t o ry 

in   themselves  or  in   t h e ir   a p p l i c a t i o n, 

they  must  h o ld  out  r e a s o n a b le  p r o s p e c ts  of   t e c h n i c al   and 

economic  r e l i a b i l i t y,   j u d g i ng  from   e a r l i er   r e s e a r ch   r e s u l t s, 

they  must  of  v a l ue  to  the   Community. 

The  p r o j e c ts   may  in   p a r t i c u l ar   r e l a te   to  the   f o l l o w i ng   f i e l ds   : 

S i n t e r i ng   and  p e l l e t i z i ng 

Use  of   coke  and  i ts p r o d u c ts  in  t he   s t e el   i n d u s t ry 

B l a st   f u r n a ce  and   d i r e ct   r e d u c t i on 

Oxygen  and  e l e c t r ic   s t e e l m a k i ng 

C a s t i ng   and  s o l i d i f i c a t i on 

Working  of  s t e el   ( f u r n a c e s, h ot  and   c o ld   r o l l i n g) 

Treatment 

of 

s e m i - f i n i s h ed  and  

f i n i s h ed  

p r o d u c ts 

and 

b y - p r o d u c ts 

Use  and  promotion  of   s t e e l. 

-  31 

-

T HE   S U B - P R O G R A M M ES   OF  T HE  R E S E A R CH   A C T I ON   PROGRAMME 

ON  I N D U S T R I AL   T E C H N O L O G I ES 

PROGRAMME 

D U R A T I ON 

B U D G ET   ( M i o E C U) 

C o m m u n i ty   B u r e au   of  R e f e r e n ce  

( C S A) 

1 9 8 3 - 1 9 87 

N u c l e ar   M e a s u r e m e n ts 

( J R C)  

1 9 8 4 - 1 9 87 

H i gh  T e m p e r a t u re  

M a t e r i a ls  

( J R C)  

1 9 8 4 - 1 9 87 

2 5 .0 

6 3 .9 

2 8 .4 

COST  501 

COST  5 0 2,  5 0 3,  5 0 4,  505 

1982. 

1983. 

T e x t i l es 

( C S A)  

1 9 8 1 - 1 9 84 

3 .9 

S t e el  

r e s e a r ch 

( E C S C)  

A n n u al  b u d g et  

a p p r o p r i a t i o ns 

P i l ot   P r o j e c ts   f or t he   S t e el 

I n d u s t ry 

( E C S C)  

1 9 8 3 - 1 9 87 

5 0 .0 

B a s ic  T e c h n o l o g i c al   R e s e a r ch  

( C S A)  

1 9 8 4 - 1 9 87 

A p p l i c a t i on   of n ew  T e c h n o l o g i e s ( C S A)  

1 9 8 4 - 1 9 87 

1 3 5 .0 

3 5 .0 

(CSA) 
( E C S C) 
(JRC) 

- 

- 

c o s t - s h a r ed 
E u r o p e an  
J o i nt   R e s e a r ch 

a c t i on 

C e n t re 

C o al   a nd  S t e el   C o m m u n i ty 

-  32  -

ANNEX  II 

BASIC TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH  - PROGRAMME PROPOSAL 

I.  

I n t r o d u c t i on 

1. 

B a s ic  T e c h n o l o g i c al  Research  (BTR)  is  the  a r ea  of  r e s e a r ch

  aimed  at 

advancing 

the  s t a te  of  the  a rt  of  those  b a s ic  t e c h n o l o g i es

  which 

i n d u s t ry   can  u t i l i se   to  develop  the  c o m p e t i t i ve  p r o d u c ts  and  p r o c e s s es 

of  the  f u t u r e. 

S i t u a t ed   between  l o n g - t e rm   fundamental  r e s e a r ch  and 

s h o r t - t e rm  

t e c h n i c al  

R&D, 

BTR 

is  

e s s e n t i a l ly  

l o n g - t e rm  

t e c h n i c al 

r e s e a r ch  t a k i ng  p l a ce  at  the  p r e - c o m p e t i t i ve  s t a g e,  i . e.  the

  advanced 

t e c h n o l o g i es   emanating  from  BTR  must  undergo  f u r t h er   i n d u s t r i al  

R&D 

b e f o re  they  can  be   s u c c e s s f u l ly   embodied  in  m a r k e t a b le 

p r o d u c ts  or 

p r o c e s s e s. 

BTR  is  i m p o r t a nt   e s p e c i a l ly   because  i ts   r e s u l ts   can  g i ve 

r i se   to  a p p l i c a t i o ns in  a   number  of  i n d u s t r i al   s e c t o r s,  t h e r e by  s e r v i ng 

to  boost  the   c o m p e t i t i v i ty   of  i n d u s t ry  in  g e n e r a l. 

It   f a l ls  

e n t i r e ly 

w i t h in   the  Framework  Programme  o p t i on  c o n c e r n i ng 

the  p r o m o t i on 

of 

i n d u s t r i al   c o m p e t i t i v e n e s s. 

It  concerns 

a r e as  such  as  

r e l i a b i l i t y, 

wear,  d e t e r i o r a t i o n,   l a s er   t e c h n o l o g y,   polymers  and  o t h er  new  m a t e r i a l s, 

s u r f a ce   s c i e n ce  and  t e c h n o l o g y,   membrane  s c i e n ce  and  t e c h n o l o g y, 

new 

t e s t i ng   methods,  j o i n i ng   t e c h n i q u e s,   CAD/CAM and  c a t a l y s i s. 

2. 

A l t h o u gh  BTR  can  p r o v i de  the  t e c h n o l o g i es  n e c e s s a ry  f or  e n s u r i ng 

i n d u s t r i al  

c o m p e t i t i v i ty  

over 

the 

next 

s e v e r al   decades, 

BTR 

is 

r e l a t i v e ly   n e g l e c t ed  in   Europe's  major  c e n t r es  of  r e s e a r c h. 

On  t he  one 

hand,  fundamental  r e s e a r c h,   which  has  remained  of  a  h i gh  s t a n d a r d,  has 

been  and  c o n t i n u es  to  be  the   c e n t r al   emphasis  of  r e s e a r ch  in  the 

u n i v e r s i t i e s,   w h i le  BTR  is  f r e q u e n t ly  c o n s i d e r ed  too  t e c h n o l o g i c al  or 

too  a p p l i ed  f or  many  u n i v e r s i t i e s.  

On  the  o t h er   hand,  i n d u s t r i al   f i r ms 

have  tended  to  c o n c e n t r a te   t h e ir   R&D 

a c t i v i t i es   on  work  l i k e ly   to  l e ad 

to 

c o m m e r c i a l ly  

p r o f i t a b le   p r o d u c ts  w i t h in  a  v e ry  few  y e a r s,  

t h is 

r e s u l t i ng   in  l a r ge  p a rt   from  the  c o n s t a nt  p r e s s u re  of  cash  f l ow   problems 

and  the  e v e r - i n c r e a s i ng c o m p e t i t i on  f or   m a r k e t s. 

- 

33 

-

3. 

In  a d d i t i o n,  it has  as  y et   proved  p a r t i c u l a r ly   d i f f i c u lt   in   Europe 

to  b r i ng  t o g e t h er  the  r e s e a r ch   a b i l i t i es   of  the   u n i v e r s i ty   and  i n d u s t r y. 

Although  some  p r o g r e ss  has   been made  in   t h is   d i r e c t i o n,   it has  not   moved 

f ar   enough  or   f a st   enough  and  it  is  uncommon  indeed  f or  c o o p e r a t i on  to 

e v o l ve   between  an  academic  i n s t i t u t i on   in  one   Member  S t a te  and  i n d u s t ry 

in   a n o t h e r. 

The  

r e s u lt   is  t h at   s i g n i f i c a nt   r e s e a r ch   r e s u l ts   are  not 

b e i ng  generated  or  a d e q u a t e ly  t r a n s f e r r ed  f or   p r a c t i c al   e x p l o i t a t i on   by 

i n d u s t ry   in  the   Community. 

4. 

It  must  a l so  be  p o i n t ed  out  t h at  the  v e ry  n a t u re  of  BTR  p l a c es

  t h is 

type  of  r e s e a r ch   beyond  the  c a p a c i ty  of   many  i n d i v i d u al   r e s e a r ch  c e n t r es 

and  c e r t a i n ly   o u t s i de  the   means  of  s m a ll  and   medium-sized  e n t e r p r i s e s. 

For  example,  BTR  o f t en  r e q u i r es   knowledge  emanating  from  two  or   more 

s c i e n t i f ic  

d i s c i p l i n es   and  g e n e r a l ly  a l so  t e c h n i c al   a b i l i t i es   d e r i v i ng 

from more  than  one   i n d u s t r i al   s e c t o r.  Thus  the  r e s e a r ch   e f f o r ts   which  do 

e x i st   in   t h is   f i e ld   tend  to  be  of   s u b - c r i t i c al   s i z e,   i . e.  they  do  not 

i n t e g r a te   on 

s u f f i c i e nt   s c a le  the  v a r i o us   competences  necessary 

to 

produce  r e s u l ts   w h i ch   can  be  of   p r a c t i c al   b e n e f it  to  i n d u s t r y. 

5. 

The 

US 

and  Japan  have  f or  a   number  of  y e a rs  r e c o g n i z ed  i ts 

importance  in  p r o v i d i ng  p a rt  of  the  t e c h n o l o g i c al   base  f or  the  next 

g e n e r a t i on  of  p r o d u c t s,   have  i n c r e a s ed  the   funds  a v a i l a b le  from  c e n t r al 

government  s o u r c es  and  c o n c e n t r a t ed  h i gh   q u a l i ty   r e s e a r ch   e f f o r ts   in 

t h is   f i e l d.  

US  F e d e r al  support  to   i n d u s t r i al   R&D  of  t h is   type  is  now 

r u n n i ng  at  s e v e r al   hundred  m i l l i on  

d o l l a rs   per  annum,  and 

s i m i l ar 

support  from  MITI  in  Japan  is  now   about  50-100  m i l l i on   d o l l a rs   per  annum 

and  c o n t i n u es  to   grow.  The  r e s e a r ch   e f f o r ts   in  these  c o u n t r i es  are  a l so 

u s u a l ly   w e ll  c o - o r d i n a t e d. 

In   Japan,   f or   example, much  of  t h is   is  t a k i ng 

p l a ce  w i t h in  a   programme  e n t i t l ed   "Research  and  Development  P r o j e ct  of 

B a s ic   Technology  f or  the  F u t u re  I n d u s t r i e s ". 

6. 

Thus,  d e s p i te  i ts   importance  f or   European  i n d u s t r i al   c o m p e t i t i v e­

ness,  BTR  is  not  o n ly  l a c k i ng  p r i m a ry   emphasis  in  the   e x i s t i ng   c e n t r es 

of  Community  r e s e a r ch  but  a l so  f a c es  c o n s i d e r a b le  o b s t a c l es   posed  by 

l a ck   of  adequate  c o o p e r a t i ve   e f f o r t s. 

-  34  -

7. 

In  o r d er  to  c r e a te  a  BTR   programme  w h i ch   w i ll   meet  the  r e al   needs 

of  Community  i n d u s t r y,  the   Commission  has  u n d e r t a k en   s t u d i e s,  d i s c u s s i on 

w i th 

the  A d v i s o ry   Committee  on  I n d u s t r i al   R e s e a r ch   and  Development 

(CORDI)  and  i n f o r m al  c o n t a ct  w i th  t r a de  o r g a n i s a t i o ns  and  i n d i v i d u al 

e x p e r ts  and   b u s i n e s s es   ( l a r ge  f i r ms  and  a l so   some  s m a ll  and   medium-sized 

e n t e r p r i s es   (SMEs)).  These  numerous  i n p u ts   have  p r o v i d ed 

c o n s i d e r a b le 

guidance  as  to  the   p r i o r i t i es   w h i ch   a  Community  BTR  programme  should 

assume. 

I I.  

The  r o le  of  the   Community 

8. 

The  programme  as  proposed  s h o u ld   have  a 

c a t a l y t ic   or 

s t i m u l us 

e f f e ct   on  the  r e s e a r ch   p r o c e ss   and  on  the  c o m p e t i t i v i ty  of   Community 

i n d u s t ry  so  t h at  r e s e a r ch  of   t h is   type  may  become  s e l f - s u s t a i n i n g. 

The 

c o - o r d i n a t i ng  e f f e ct  of  a c t i o ns   under  the  programme  s h o u ld   ensure  t h at 

more  e f f e c t i ve  use 

is   made  of  the  r e s o u r c es 

a v a i l a b l e,   t h r o u gh   the 

r e d u c t i on  of  o v e r l a p p i ng 

e f f o r ts  and 

the  b r i n g i n g - t o g e t h er 

f or   more 

e f f e c t i ve   f u r t h er   development  of  complementary  but  c u r r e n t ly   s e p a r a t ed 

e f f o r t s. 

9. 

The  r e s e a r ch   must  be  o r i e n t ed  to  p r o v i de  b e n e f i ts  to  the  i n d u s t r i es 

in   the  Community  which  are  i n h e r e n t ly   sound  but  are  in   danger  due  to 

c o m p e t i t i on   from  o u t s i de  the   Community,  and  whose  f u t u re   depends  on  a 

number  of  f a c t o rs  i n c l u d i ng  the   i n j e c t i on   of  new  t e c h n o l o gy   w h i ch   can 

h e lp  to   improve  t h e ir   c o m p e t i t i v i t y. 

10. 

The  programme  is  not   aimed  at  s i m p ly 

s u b s i d i s i ng  r e s e a r ch 

in 

European  i n d u s t r y,  but 

the   p r i m a ry   emphasis  w i ll   be 

to   a d d r e ss   the 

f a c t o rs   of  a  European  dimension  t h at   have  l ed  to  the  c u r r e nt   s i t u a t i o n. 

Thus,  the  programme  is  i n t e n d ed  to  s t i m u l a te  p r e - c o m p e t i t i ve 

r e s e a r ch 

not  undertaken  by  i n d u s t ry   i t s e lf   w i th  the  aim  of  : 

- 

i m p r o v i ng   the  c o - o r d i n a t i on  of   work  c a r r i ed  out   i n d e p e n d e n t ly   at 

p r e s e nt  

in 

s e v e r al   Member 

S t a t es 

by 

i n d u s t ry 

and 

o t h er 

o r g a n i s a t i o n s; 

- 

h e l p i ng 

c r o s s - f r o n t i er  c o l l a b o r a t i on   between  d i f f e r e nt  i n d u s t ry 

s e c t o rs  and   between  i n d u s t ry  and  u n i v e r s i t y. 

P a r t i c u l ar   a t t e n t i on   w i ll   be  g i v en  to  the   i n v o l v e m e nt   of  SMEs  (see  V ). 

- S S­

11. 

The  sums  proposed  f or t he  v a r i o us   f i e l ds   in  t h is   programme  r e f l e ct 

the  abovementioned  p r i n c i p l e s.   They  a re  each  r e l a t i v e ly   s m a ll   and are 

regarded  as t he minimum   n e c e s s a ry   to  r e a ch   t he  r e s e a r ch  t a r g e t s. 

R e l a t i on   to  n a t i o n al  programmes 

12. 

D i s c u s s i o ns  w i th  i n d u s t r y,  w i th   academic  e x p e r ts   and  n a t i o n al 

o f f i c i a ls   have  shown  t h at   a c t i v i t i es   e x i st   c o n c e r n i ng   a  number  of the 

BTR  f i e l ds   and  in  s e v e r al   Community  c o u n t r i e s.   F or  example,  programmes 

in   t he   f i e l ds   of   c o r r o s i on   and  membrane  technology  a re   under  way  in 

Germany,  and  a  programme  on   polymers  is in  p r e p a r a t i on  t h e r e.   In the 

U n i t ed   Kingdom,  t h e re   a re  a  number  of   a c t i v i t i es   ( a ll  on  a 

f a i r ly 

s m a ll  s c a l e)   in  each  of  t he   f i e l ds   covered  in  t h is   programme  supported 

by  t he   S c i e n ce   and  E n g i n e e r i ng   R e s e a r ch   C o u n c i l,   as  w e ll   as  some  sup­

p o r t ed   by  t he U.K.   Department  of   I n d u s t r y.   In t he  N e t h e r l a n d s,   work is 

planned  in t he   f i e ld   of   polymers  and  composites.  In   France,  e x t e n s i ve 

programmes  a re   p l a n n ed   in t he   f i e ld   of  m a t e r i a ls   and  c e r t a in  manufac­

t u r i ng   t e c h n i q u e s.  

In   p r e p a r i ng   t he BTR  programme,  it has been   sought 

so  f ar as   p o s s i b le   to   a v o id   a r e as   a l r e a dy  covered   by  such  n a t i o n al 

programmes.  However,  f u ll   i n f o r m a t i on   on  i n d u s t r i al   r e s e a r ch  p r o j e c ts 

supported  is n ot  always a v a i l a b l e. 

13. 

W i th   r e g a rd   to t he  above,  t he  approach  w i ll   be  as   f o l l o ws  : 

s u b j e c ts   w h i ch   c l e a r ly   do  form  p a rt   of   n a t i o n al   programmes  a re 

a v o i d ed   e x c e pt   where  (as  in t he   cases  of  c e r t a in  c o u n t r i e s)   the 

n a t i o n al   a u t h o r i t i es   have  i n d i c a t ed  t h at  they   a re   prepared  to 

i n t e g r a te   t h e ir   n a t i o n al  programmes  w i t h in   the Community  programme 

and/or  to  a d j u st   t h e ir   programmes to complement the BTR work; 

e x p r e s s i o ns   of   i n t e r e st   c o n c e r n i ng   t he BTR  r e s e a r ch  p r o j e c ts   w i ll 

p r o v i de   a  b a s is   f or a   f u r t h er  n a r r o w i ng   of t he  areas  to be   covered 

by  t he programme,   t h us   a v o i d i ng  o v e r l a p p i n g; 

in  

e v a l u a t i ng 

r e s e a r ch 

p r o p o s a l s, 

e x p e r ts  

employed  in  the 

e v a l u a t i on   and  t he  Management  and   C o - o r d i n a t i on 

C o n s u l t a t i ve 

Committee  (CGC)  (see  p a r a.   15)  w i ll   be  asked  to   i n d i c a te   where 

p r o p o s a ls   appear  to  d u p l i c a te  n a t i o n al  work; 

- 

where  as  a   r e s u lt   of  these  p r o c e s s es  

evidence  accumulates  of 

o v e r l a p p i ng  n a t i o n al   a c t i v i t i es   in  any   area  of  the  programme, 

c o n c e r t ed  a c t i o ns   w i ll   be  developed  if  necessary  w i th   a  h i g h er 

f i n a n c i al   p a r t i c i p a t i on   t h an   n o r m a l ly   f or  concerted  a c t i o n s. 

- 

36 

-

I I I.   Management  of  the   programme 

A. 

Nature  of  Community  a c t i o ns 

14. 

P r o j e c ts   under  the 

BTR  programme 

w i ll  

be  implemented  through 

s h a r e d - c o st   c o n t r a c ts  ( i n c l u d i ng   p i l ot   and  d e m o n s t r a t i on   p r o j e c t s)  and 

c o n c e r t ed 

a c t i o n s. 

P r o j e c ts   w i ll   v a ry  in   s i z e,   but  the  s o l u t i on  of 

problems  of 

i n d u s t r i al   i n t e r e st  can 

be 

t a c k l ed  o n ly  by 

s u p p o r t i ng 

p r o j e c ts  of  s u b s t a n t i al   s i z e.  

T h is  i m p l i es  t h at  the   average  p r o j e ct 

w i ll   need 

to  employ  3  or 

4 

f u l l - t i me  r e s e a r ch   w o r k e rs   or 

t h e ir 

e q u i v a l e nt  f or   3  or  4  y e a rs   w i th  a p p r o p r i a te  s u p p o r t i ng  

f a c i l i t i e s.  

As 

the  t y p i c al   c o st  of  s i m i l ar  r e s e a r ch  at   p r e s e nt   in   Europe  is   about 

100,000  ECU  per  man-year,  t h is   r e p r e s e n ts   e x p e n d i t u r es   of  from  900,000 

ECU  to  1.6  MioECU  per  t y p i c al   p r o j e c t. 

B. 

Management  and  e v a l u a t i on 

15. 

In 

the  

management 

of 

the  

programme, 

the 

Management 

and 

C o - o r d i n a t i on 

C o n s u l t a t i ve   Committee  (CGC) 

-  I n d u s t r i al   T e c h n o l o g i es 

w i ll  

a s s i st  the   Commission  in   examining  r e s e a r ch 

p r o p o s a ls 

and 

in 

m o n i t o r i ng  the   work  as  the   programme  p r o c e e d s,   suggest  changes  to  the 

programme  and  in  g e n e r al  a d v i se  the   Commission  in  the   management  of  the 

work.  However,  as  t h is   programme  is  s t r o n g ly  i n d u s t r y - o r i e n t e d,  the 

Commission 

w i ll  

e s t a b l i sh  c o n s u l t a t i o ns 

w i th 

i n d u s t ry 

and,  

where 

a p p r o p r i a t e,  w i th   academic  and  r e s e a r ch  

i n s t i t u t i o n s,   to   ensure  t h e ir 

involvement  and  the  use  of   t h e ir   t e c h n i c al  e x p e r t i se  in  the   programme, 

in  

p a r t i c u l ar  on 

the   management  and 

p o s s i b le 

a d a p t a t i o ns 

of 

the 

programme. 

16. 

The  programme 

w i ll  

be 

s u b m i t t ed  

to 

e v a l u a t i on   p r o c e d u r es   in 

accordance  w i th  the   "Community  p l an  of  a c t i on   r e l a t i ng   to  the  e v a l u a t i on 

of  Community  r e s e a r ch 

and  

development  programmes"  (C0M(83)1). 

In 

s e t t i ng   up  the  e v a l u a t i on  p a n e l s,   every  e f f o rt   w i ll   be  made  to   ensure  an 

a p p r o p r i a te  r e p r e s e n t a t i on  of  the  i n t e r e s ts of  i n d u s t r y. 

-  37 

-

C. 

P a r t i c i p a n ts  and  p r o j e c ts 

17. 

P a r t i c i p a n ts   in  a   p r o j e ct   can  be  

i n d u s t r i al  

f i r m s, 

r e s e a r ch 

i n s t i t u t es   and u n i v e r s i t i es e s t a b l i s h ed   in t he  Community.  As a  g e n e r al 

r u l e,   t he   prime  c o n t r a c t or   or   l e a d er   in  a   p r o j e ct  p a r t n e r s h ip   or 

c o n s o r t ia  s h o u ld   be  an   i n d u s t r i al   f i rm   h a v i ng   a  major  i n t e r e st   in  the 

a n t i c i p a t ed   r e s u l t s.  S p e c i al  a t t e n t i on   w i ll   be  g i v en   to an   a p p r o p r i a te 

i n v o l v e m e nt   of SMEs   ( s ee  V ). 

18. 

P r i o r i ty   w i ll   be  g i v en   to   p r o j e c ts   undertaken  by  p a r t i c i p a n ts  of 

more  than  one Member  S t a t e. 

D. 

F i n a n c i al   s u p p o rt 

19. 

Community  f i n a n c i al   s u p p o rt  should  as a  g e n e r al  r u le  not exceed 50% 

of  t he   t o t al   c o st   of t he  p r o j e c t,   t he  remainder  to be   p r o v i d ed   by the 

i n d u s t r i al   f i r ms  p a r t i c i p a t i ng  in t he  p r o j e c t.   The amount  of  Community 

f i n a n c i al   s u p p o rt   w i ll   be  d e c i d ed   i n d i v i d u a l ly   f or  each  p r o j e ct   in  the 

l i g ht   of  i ts   c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s,  t he  s e l e c t i on   c r i t e r ia   and the  amount of 

r i sk   a c c e p t ed   by  t he  p r o p o s e rs   of  t he  p r o j e c t s.   The  Commission  w i ll 

take   due  account  of   a ll  o t h er   a id  r e c e i v ed   or   expected  so  t h at   the 

g l o b al   amount  of   n a t i o n al   or  Community  support  w i ll   n o t,  as a  g e n e r al 

r u l e,   exceed  50%  of  t he   t o t al   c o s t s.   F or   d e m o n s t r a t i on   p r o j e c t s,   a 

maximum  of  50%  of  t he   g r a nt   is  r e p a y a b le   in t he  event  of  commercial 

e x p l o i t a t i o n. 

20. 

In   cases  where  work   supported  by  n a t i o n al   funds  or   e n t i r e ly 

p r i v a t e ly   funded  is   a l r e a dy   g o i ng   on,  t he  Commission's  r o le   may  be 

l i m i t ed   to   s i m p ly 

o r g a n i s i ng   t he   c o - o r d i n a t i on   of  the  work  and the 

Community  f u n d i ng  c o n f i n ed   to   c o v e r i ng   the   c o st   of   such  c o - o r d i n a t i on 

a c t i v i t i e s.  

However,  in   c e r t a in   cases  where  it  is   c l e ar 

t h at 

s t r a t e g i c a l ly   i m p o r t a nt   work  r e q u i r es   more  than  simple 

c o - o r d i n a t i o n, 

the  Commission  c o u l d,   in  c o n s u l t a t i on  w i th   t he CGC,  c o n s i d er   a  h i g h er 

Community  f u n d i n g. 

- 

38 

-

E. 

D i s s e m i n a t i on  of  i n f o r m a t i o n,  a c c e ss  to  and   e x p l o i t a t i on   of  r e s u l ts 

2 1.  

The 

r u l es  f or  d i s s e m i n a t i on  of  i n f o r m a t i on  and 

a c c e ss 

to 

and 

e x p l o i t a t i on   of  r e s u l ts   w i ll   f o l l ow  the   p r i n c i p l es   as  s et  out  in  the 

document  on  the  A c t i on   Programme.  However,  because  the  BTR  programme 

covers  a  v e ry   wide  range  not  o n ly  of  t e c h n i c al  s u b j e c ts  but  a l so   from 

near  to   fundamental  r e s e a r ch  to  d e m o n s t r a t i on 

p r o j e c t s,  the  p r e c i se 

r u l es   w i ll   need  to  be  a d j u s t ed  on  a   case  by  case  b a s is  w i th  the   l e g al 

terms  and  c o n d i t i o ns  i n c o r p o r a t ed  in  the   i n d i v i d u al   c o n t r a c t s.   Another 

s p e c i f ic   aspect  of  the  BTR   programme  w i ll   be  t h at  p r o j e c ts   w i ll  

be 

i n t e r r e l a t e d,   not  o n ly  w i t h in  a  r e s e a r ch  a r ea   such  as  c a t a l y s is   but  a l so 

between  p r o j e c ts  of   d i f f e r e nt   a r e a s,  e.g.  the   r e s u l ts   of  work  on  s u r f a ce 

technology  c o u ld  be  a p p l i ed  to  c e r t a in   problems  in  the   f i e ld   of   wear. 

In   such  c a s e s,  f o r e g r o u nd   knowledge  g e n e r a t ed   on  p a r t i c u l ar   p r o j e c ts 

should  be   made  a v a i l a b le   under  r e a s o n a b le  c o n d i t i o ns  to   e n a b le   b e t t er 

and  q u i c k er   r e s u l ts   to  be  o b t a i n ed   from  o t h er  p r o j e c ts   w h i ch   need  such 

i n f o r m a t i o n. 

IV. 

E x p r e s s i o ns  of   i n t e r e st   and  tender 

2 2. 

E x p r e s s i o ns  of   i n t e r e st   are  now  b e i ng   sought  from  companies  and 

r e s e a r ch  o r g a n i s a t i o n s.   Those  w h i ch   respond 

w i ll   not  be 

committing 

themselves  in  any  way  but   must  p r o v i de  the  f o l l o w i ng  i n f o r m a t i on  : 

- 

I d e n t i ty  of  the  o r g a n i s a t i on  and  i n f o r m a t i on   about  who  would  be 

i n v o l v ed   in  the  r e s e a r c h; 

- 

A  s h o rt  d e s c r i p t i on  of  the  p r o j e ct   proposed   t o g e t h er  w i th 

the 

- 

- 

t e c h n i c al   o b j e c t i v es  which  w i ll   be  sought; 

The  d u r a t i on   proposed  f or  the   work  and  the   budget; 

F i r st   i n d i c a t i o ns as  to  o t h er  o r g a n i s a t i o ns  t h at   might  c o l l a b o r a t e; 

Where  a p p r o p r i a t e,  a  r e q u e st  to  the   Commission  to   c i r c u l a te   the 

above  i n f o r m a t i on  to  o t h e rs  e x p r e s s i ng  an   i n t e r e st   in   s i m i l ar   work 

and  who  might  be  i n t e r e s t ed  in  c o l l a b o r a t i ng In  a  p r o j e c t. 

2 3. 

The  e x p r e s s i o ns  of   i n t e r e st   w i ll   be  r e v i e w ed  by  the   Commission  in 

c o n s u l t a t i on   w i th  the  CGC. 

On  the  b a s is  of  the  e x p r e s s i o ns  of   i n t e r e st 

r e c e i v e d,  

the  Commission 

w i ll 

c a ll  

t o g e t h er  

groups 

of  p o t e n t i al 

p a r t i c i p a n ts   w i th  a   v i ew   to   e n c o u r a g i ng   c o l l a b o r a t i ve  arrangements. 

- 

39 

-

24. 

Upon  C o u n c il  a p p r o v al  of  the  BTR   programme,  the  Commission 

w i ll 

i s s ue   a  f o r m al   c a ll   f or  p r o p o s a l s.  It  is   a n t i c i p a t ed   t h at  the  p r o p o s a ls 

then  r e c e i v ed   w i ll   to  a   s u b s t a n t i al   degree  come  from  the  groups  of 

o r g a n i s a t i o ns   i n t e r e s t ed   in   c o l l a b o r a t i ng   t o g e t h er  and  s et  up  d u r i ng  the 

course  of  the  p r e c e d i ng   arrangements. 

V. 

S m a ll  and   medium-sized  e n t e r p r i s es 

25. 

Because  much  of  the   work  proposed  is   l i k e ly   to  be  of  

d i r e ct 

i n t e r e st   or  b e n e f it  to   SMEs,  they  s h o u ld  be  i n v o l v ed  in  the  a c t u al 

e x e c u t i on  of  the   programme  to  the   maximum  degree  p o s s i b l e.  

C e r t a i n ly 

every  encouragement  w i ll   be  g i v en  to   SMEs  to  submit  r e s e a r ch  p r o p o s a ls 

and  to  be   a c t i ve   p a r t i c i p a n ts   in  the  r e s e a r ch   e f f o rt   and/or  to  make  a 

f i n a n c i al   c o n t r i b u t i on  to  r e s e a r ch  of   i n t e r e st   to  them  to  be   done 

elsewhere. 

In   s e l e c t i ng   r e s e a r ch  p r o p o s a l s,  those   i n v o l v i ng   SMEs  w i ll 

be  g i v en   s p e c i al   a t t e n t i on f or  the   f o l l o w i ng   reasons  : 

Some  of  the   i n d u s t r i es   i n t e n d ed  to  b e n e f it   from  t h is   programme  are 

composed  to  a  g r e at  e x t e nt  of   SMEs; 

SMEs  a re  f r e q u e n t ly b e st  at   e x p l o i t i ng   new  technology  in  i ts   e a r ly 

phases  and  a re  o f t en  q u i c k e st  at  c o m p l e t i ng  e n g i n e e r i ng   development 

and  m a r k e t i ng  the  new  p r o d u c t s; 

- 

SME  managements  o f t en  have  the  most  dynamic  c h a r a c t e r i s t i cs   and  are 

more  l i k e ly   to  undertake  s p e c u l a t i ve   development  than  many  l a r g er 

f i r m s. 

26. 

C e r t a in  r e s e a r ch  a r e as  -   wear  and  d e t e r i o r a t i o n,   s u r f a ce  s c i e n ce 

and 

t e c h n o l o g y,  

l a s er  

t e c h n o l o g y,  

j o i n i ng  

t e c h n i q u e s,   CAD/CAM  and 

membrane  s c i e n ce  and  t e c h n o l o gy  are  areas  in  which  SMEs may 

p o t e n t i a l ly 

p l ay   an  i m p o r t a nt   r o le   and  in  these  areas  in   p a r t i c u l ar   s p e c i al   a t t e n­

t i on   w i ll   be  g i v en  to   s u f f i c i e nt   p a r t i c i p a t i on   of  SMEs. 

27. 

As  s et  out  in  the   main  document,  the  involvement  of   SMEs  is  o f t en 

d i f f i c u lt   to   r e a l i s e.  

The  f o l l o w i ng   mechanisms  s h o u l d,   between  them, 

encourage  t h e ir   i n v o l v e m e n t;  o n ly  e x p e r i e n ce  can  p r o v i de  the   answer  to 

w h i ch   way  or   ways  w i ll   be  the   most  a p p r o p r i a te  : 

-  40 

-

- 

Many  SMEs  a re members  of t he   c o - o p e r a t i ve   or   c o l l e c t i ve 

o r g a n i s a t i o ns   w h i ch   e x i st   in a   number  of  Member   S t a t e s.   These 

o r g a n i s a t i o ns   can themselves  do  r e s e a r ch   in t he  programme  on  b e h a lf 

of  SMEs  or  can   h e lp   to   i d e n t i fy   SMEs  w h i ch   might 

i n d i v i d u a l ly 

p a r t i c i p a t e; 

- 

L a r g er  f i r ms   which  n o r m a l ly   use  SMEs  as   s u b c o n t r a c t o rs   or   which 

market  t h e ir   p r o d u c ts   can b r i ng   t he  programme  to t he  a t t e n t i on  of 

SMEs or i n v o l ve  them as r e s e a r ch  p a r t n e r s; 

- 

U n i v e r s i t i es   a l r e a dy  w o r k i ng   on  problems  of   concern  to  SMEs can 

b r i ng   SMEs  i n to   groups  f or  j o i n t ly   s u b m i t t i ng  p r o p o s a l s; 

- 

Trade  a s s o c i a t i o n s,   chambers  of   commerce,  r e g i o n al   o f f i c es   of 

government  departments  concerned  w i th   R&D  and  o t h er   l o c al   b o d i es 

who  can  be   approached  through  government  or   through  i n d u s t ry 

channels  can seek  o ut  s m a ll  f i r ms  w i th   an  i n t e r e st   in t he  r e s e a r ch 

f i e l ds   i n c l u d ed  in t he  programme. 

The 

e x p r e s s i o ns   of   i n t e r e st  

w i ll   be  a  major 

h e lp   in  the 

encouragement of t he  p a r t i c i p a t i on   of SMEs and t he  f o r m i ng   of   groupings. 

V I.   T e c h n i c al  content   of the  programme 

28. 

The Commission's  s t u d i es  and c o n t a c ts  w i th  i n d u s t ry r e p r e s e n t a t i v es 

have  i n d i c a t ed   t h at  t h e re   e x i s ts   s i g n i f i c a nt   agreement  on  t he  areas  of 

b a s ic   t e c h n o l o g i c al r e s e a r ch   w h i ch   a re  i m p o r t a nt   f or  Community  a c t i o n. 

It   is   a l so  g e n e r a l ly  agreed 

t h at   developments  in   these  a r e as   a re 

e s s e n t i al   if  t he  i n d u s t ry  in t he  Community  is to  r e g a in  c o m p e t i t i v e n e ss 

and  thereby  take   i ts  p r o p er  share   of  t he   i n t e r n a t i o n al   market.  The 

areas  chosen a re  those  w h i ch   meet  t he  f o l l o w i ng   c r i t e r ia   : 

1) 

They  a re n ot now   a d e q u a t e ly  covered   by  p r i v a te  r e s e a r c h,  n a t i o n al 

programmes  or  o t h er   Community  programmes. 

2)  The  a n t i c i p a t ed   r e s e a r ch   r e s u l ts   a re of  i n t e r e st   to and  s h o u ld  give 

r i se   to  a p p l i c a t i o ns  in a  number  of  i m p o r t a nt   Community  i n d u s t r i e s. 

These a re  p r i m a r i ly   t he  m a n u f a c t u r i ng   i n d u s t r i e s,   w h i ch   in t he  past 

and  f or t he  f o r e s e e a b le  f u t u re   must  c o n t i n ue   to be  a   major  source 

of  Community  economic  s t r e n g t h. 

-  41 

-

3) 

The  r e s e a r ch   is  m u l t i - d i s c i p l i n a ry   - t he  work  w i ll   c o n t r i b u te  to a 

b e t t er   u n d e r s t a n d i ng   of  t he   b a s ic   p r i n c i p l es   and  p r o v i de   f or 

advanced 

i n t e g r a t ed  

a p p l i c a t i on   of  

p h y s i c s, 

chemistry   and 

e n g i n e e r i n g.  

T h is   work  w i ll   thus  complement  t he  areas  of  r e s e a r ch 

of  o t h er   Community  R&D  programmes  and  in   p a r t i c u l ar   the  ESPRIT 

( i n f o r m a t i on  

t e c h n o l o g y)   and  b i o t e c h n o l o gy   programmes 

a l r e a dy 

underway. 

4) 

The  a r e as   a re   s u i t ed   to   c o - o p e r a t i ve  p r o j e c ts   i n v o l v i ng   s e v e r al 

f i r ms   or   r e s e a r ch   i n s t i t u t i o ns   ( p r i v a t e,   governmental  and  u n i v e r­

s i t y)  .  Such  c o o p e r a t i on   is  n e c e s s a ry   due to t he  m u l t i - d i s c i p l i n a ry 

n a t u re   of t he  t o p i cs  b ut is  a l so  d e s i r a b le  in  t h at  one of the  major 

g o a ls   of t he  programme  is to  s t i m u l a te   intra-Community  c o o p e r a t i ve 

r e s e a r ch   e f f o r t s. 

5) 

The  p o t e n t i al   i n d u s t r i al   a p p l i c a t i o ns  of t he  r e s e a r ch   a re  e v i d e n t, 

b ut   t he   r e s e a r ch   e n t a i l ed   is   i t s e lf   p r e - c o m p e t i t i v e,  i . e.   even 

a f t er   s u c c e s s f ul  c o m p l e t i on   of t he  r e s e a r ch  t h e re   w i ll   be  f u r t h er 

R&D  work  r e q u i r ed   by  i n d u s t ry  w i th   i ts own   f i n a n ce  b e f o re   t he 

r e s u l ts   can  be   s u c c e s s f u l ly   embodied  in   marketable  products   or 

p r o c e s s e s.  

The  work  w i ll   thus  serve   to   s t i m u l a te   and  p ut the 

i n t e r e s t ed  

i n d u s t r i al  

f i r ms   in  an  

e q u a l ly 

b e t t er  

p o s i t i on 

t e c h n o l o g i c a l l y,   e s p e c i a l ly   in   r e l a t i on   to   t h e ir   US  and  Japanese 

c o m p e t i t o r s,   b ut   they  w i ll   have  to a ct on   t h e ir   own  to  t r a n s l a te 

t he   new  t e c h n o l o gy   i n to   c o m p e t i t i ve  p r o d u c t s. 

6) 

The  r e s e a r ch   can  l e ad   s p e c i f i c a l ly   to   t e c h n o l o g i c al  breakthroughs 

r e l a t i ng   to   i n d u s t r i al   p r o d u c t i v i t y,   product 

r e l i a b i l i t y,  

o r i g i­

n a l i ty   of   d e s i gn   and  o v e r a ll   q u a l i t y,   each  in   i t s e lf   a  key to 

g r e a t er   c o m p e t i t i v e n e s s. 

29. 

I n d u s t ry   has 

a l r e a dy   shown  an 

i n t e r e st   in   e n t e r i ng  

i n to 

c o l l a b o r a t i ve  

r e s e a r ch  

e f f o r ts  

c o n c e r n i ng 

these 

a r e a s,  p r o v i d ed   a 

c e r t a in   amount  of   f i n a n c i al   support  can be   g i v e n.   Such  c o l l a b o r a t i on 

and  p u b l ic  s u p p o rt   would be welcomed  in  p a r t i c u l ar   because : 

- 

The  work  is  seen  as  t oo   s p e c u l a t i ve  or  the  problem  common  to so 

many  d i f f e r e nt   p r o d u c ts  t h at   one  f i rm   alone  cannot  back  t he  work, 

though  would  f i nd   it  h i g h ly   i n t e r e s t i ng   if the   r i s ks   a re to be 

s h a r ed   between  s e v e r al  f i r ms  and w i th  p u b l ic   i n s t i t u t i o n s; 

t he   r e s u l ts   can  be   i m p o r t a nt   f or t he   development  of  a  f i r m 's 

p r o d u ct   l i n e ( s)  , b ut some or  a ll  of the  r e q u i s i te   technology  is not 

i n d i g e n o us   to t he   f i r m. 

-  42  -

30. 

A  b r i ef   e x p l a n a t i on of  the  major  a s p e c ts  and  the   i n d u s t ry   need  f or 

work  in each  of  the  r e s e a r ch a r e as   s e l e c t ed   is p r o v i d ed  in  the   f o l l o w i ng 

s e c t i o n s.  

It  s h o u ld   g e n e r a l ly   be  n o t e d,   however,  t h at   a ll of  these 

areas  and  the  r e s e a r ch   t o p i cs   w i t h in   the  a r e as   have  been 

chosen 

f o l l o w i ng   a  c a r e f ul   p r o c e ss  of   s e l e c t i on   and  d e f i n i t i on   of  r e s e a r ch 

p r i o r i t i e s.   The  areas  are  indeed   r e l a t ed   in a   number  of ways  and  make  up 

what  is  b e l i e v ed   to  be  a   manageable whole  f or   t h is   BTR  programme. 

1) 

R e l i a b i l i t y,   Wear  and  D e t e r i o r a t i on 

31. 

If  the   r e l i a b i l i ty   of  European  p r o d u c ts  is  improved,   much  of 

i n d u s t ry   in  the   Community  w i ll   c l e a r ly   be  at   l e ss   r i sk   than  at  p r e s e nt 

e s p e c i a l ly   from  Japanese  c o m p e t i t i o n.   Whether  one  is s p e a k i ng  of  a  c a r, 

a  k i t c h en   a p p l i a n ce or  an   automated  c o n t i n u o us   f a c t o ry   p r o c e s s,   r e l i a b i­

l i ty   is  what  today's  consumer  is   most  l o o k i ng   f or   when  ready  to  p u r­

chase. 

The  t e c h n o l o gy  of   i n d u s t ry   in  the   Community  has  g e n e r a l ly   kept 

pace  w i th   consumer  demands  such  as  f or   l i g h t er   and  s t r o n g er   m a t e r i a l s, 

but  the  t e c h n o l o gy  f or   a l so   e n s u r i ng   r e l i a b i l i ty   has  f a l l en   b e h i nd  and 

become  a  weak  p o i nt  in   i n d u s t r y 's   a b i l i ty   to   market  c o m p e t i t i ve  p r o­

d u c t s.  

Major  r e s e a r ch  is  t h e r e f o re   needed  wxth  a  v i ew  to  i m p r o v i ng 

o v e r a ll   performance  on  component,  systems  and   m a t e r i a ls  

r e l i a b i l i t y. 

32. 

To  b u i ld   more  r e l i a b le   p r o d u c ts  it  is   e s L ^ n t i al   to   f i r st   develop 

s a t i s f a c t o ry   methods  f or  a s s e s s i ng  the  p r o b a b le  

s e r v i ce  

l i fe  

of 

machinery  and   components  and  p r e d i c t i ng   the 

l i k e ly   time  and  form  of 

f a i l u r e s.  

Such  f o r e c a s t i ng   methods  a re   needed  d u r i ng  the  p r o d u ct 

development  phase  as  w e ll   as  f or  use  d u r i ng   i n s p e c t i on   in  manufacture 

and  d u r i ng  the   s e r v i ce   l i fe   of  f i n i s h ed   p r o d u c t s. 

33. 

As  r e g a r ds   s p e c i f ic   means  to  i n c r e a se p r o d u ct   r e l i a b i l i t y,   c e r t a in 

s u b - t o p i cs   of  r e s e a r ch  must  be  promoted.  Because  wear,  f or  example,  is 

a  fundamental  f a c t or   in  the  w o r k i n g,   s a f e ty   and  r e l i a b i l i ty   of  t e c h n i c al 

systems,  the  problems 

of   wear  must  be  a d d r e s s e d. 

In  

p a r t i c u l a r, 

c o n c e n t r a t ed   r e s e a r ch  is  needed  in  the  a r ea  of   t r i b o l o gy   -  the  s c i e n ce 

and  t e c h n o l o gy  of  

i n t e r a c t i ng   s u r f a c es  in   r e l a t i ve   m o t i on  and  of 

-  43  -

t e c h n i q u es   and  p r a c t i c es  r e l a t ed  t h e r e t o.   Advances  in  t r i b o l o gy  can  not 

o n ly  c r e a te   more  c o m p e t i t i ve   p r o d u c ts   ( e s p e c i a l ly in   cases where wear  is 

the  p r i n c i p al   f a c t or   w h i ch   l i m i ts   the  s e r v i ce   l i f e ),   but  can  a l so   serve 

to  reduce  the  major  economic  l o s s es  r e s u l t i ng   from  wear,  now 

estimated 

to  amount  to  1  to  2%  of  GNP 

in  the   i n d u s t r i al   c o u n t r i e s.  

Although  a 

h i gh   p e r c e n t a ge   of  t h is   l o ss  may  be   u n a v o i d a b l e,   the  o v e r a ll  s c a le  is 

such  t h at   even  a  s a v i n gs  of  10%  p r o v i d ed  by  BTR   would  c o n s t i t u te  a 

s i g n i f i c a nt   advance. 

34. 

The 

t e c h n o l o gy  

of 

t r i b o l o g i c al  

systems 

is  

today 

l a r g e ly 

e m p i r i c a l l y - b a s e d. 

The  r e s e a r ch   w i ll   thus  be  aimed  at  the   development 

of 

c o n s t i t u t i ve  r e l a t i o n s h i ps   between  m a t e r i al 

c h a r a c t e r i s t i cs  and 

s e r v i ce   r e q u i r e m e n t s.  

The  major  a r e as   of  concern  are  those  e n t a i l i ng 

h e a v i ly   a b r a s i ve  c o n d i t i o n s,  e.g.   m a c h i n i ng   ( p a r t i c u l a r ly   s i g n i f i c a nt   in 

h i g h ly   automated  r o b o t ic   l i n es   where  l o ss  of  t o l e r a n ce  or   component 

f a i l u re  

has 

s e r i o us   consequence),  b e a r i n gs 

in  

d i r ty  

environments, 

a b r a s i ve   wear  by 

f l u i ds   (pumps  and 

i m p e l l e r s)  and   wear  due 

to  h i gh 

temperatures  and  in  t u r b i ne  a p p l i c a t i o n s. 

35. 

In  the  m a j o r i ty  of   cases  where  t h e re  is   hydrodynamic  or  boundary 

l u b r i c a t i o n,  

the 

c u r r e nt 

f a c t o rs  

l i m i t i ng   development  are 

f a t i g u e, 

s c u f f i ng   and 

s e i z u r e.  

R e s e a r ch  

w i ll   c o n s e q u e n t ly  a l so  be 

o r i e n t ed 

towards  r e d u c i ng   wear  on  g e a r s,   p i s t o n s,  p l a in  b e a r i n gs  and   r o l l er   and 

b a ll   b e a r i ng   systems,  as  w e ll  as  in  c o n t i n u o u s ly  v a r i a b le  t r a n s m i s s i on 

d e v i c es  

( l i m i t i ng   f a c t or  is  low  

f r i c t i on   c o e f f i c i e nt  of   about 

10%). 

30-100%  improvement  w i ll   be  aimed  at  and  should  p r o v i de   major  p o t e n t i al 

advantages  e s p e c i a l ly  f or  the   automotive  and  h i gh   speed  d i e s el  t r u ck  and 

bus  i n d u s t r i e s. 

36. 

F r a c t u re  

mechanics 

is 

a l so 

an  

important 

concept 

in 

the 

i n v e s t i g a t i on  

of 

the   wear 

and 

s a f e ty 

of 

m e c h a n i c a l ly 

s t r e s s ed 

components. 

It  is   concerned  w i th  the  i n v e s t i g a t i o n,  on  the  b a s is  of 

e x i s t i ng   f l a ws  in   components,  of  the  c o n d i t i o ns   under  which  c r a c ks 

may 

propagate  and 

l e ad  to  f r a c t u r e. 

F r a c t u re   mechanics  operates   on 

the 

r e a l i s t ic   premise  t h at   a v o i d a n ce   of  a ll  damage  d u r i ng  any  s p e c i f i ed 

s e r v i ce  

l i fe  

is   p r a c t i c a l ly  

i m p o s s i b l e. 

It  t h e r e f o re  d e l i b e r a t e ly 

-  44  -

p r o v i d es  f or   dynamic  f l a ws  but  r e q u i r es  t h at   those  f l a ws  do  not   become 

the  cause  of  a  complete  f a i l u re   of  m a t e r i a l s,   components  or  s t r u c t u r e s. 

W i th   the  a id  of  f r a c t u re   mechanics,  it  may   become  p o s s i b le  to   make 

s a f e ty  e v a l u a t i o ns  of   components  in   major  a r e as   of  e n g i n e e r i n g,   which 

w i ll  

f a c i l i t a te  

optimum 

m a t e r i al  

u t i l i z a t i on  

and 

a v o i d a n ce  

of 

o v e r - d e s i gn   ( e s p e c i a l ly   i m p o r t a nt   when  c o n s i d e r i ng  the  i n t r o d u c t i on  of 

new  m a t e r i a l s ).   Account  w i ll   be  t a k en   of  r e l a t ed   work  at  the  J o i nt 

Research  Center  and  the   work  to  be   done  in  the   proposed  Community  R&D 

programme  on  n u c l e ar  r e a c t or  s a f e t y. 

37. 

In  a ll   f i e l ds   of  t e c h n o l o g y,   components  of  machines,  systems  and 

p l a n ts  are  a l so  s u b j e ct  to   c y c l i c al   s t r e s s es   w h i ch   may  take   the  form, 

f or   example,  of  a l t e r n a t i ng  m e c h a n i c al   or  t h e r m al   s t r e s s e s.   Under  these 

c o n d i t i o n s,  m a t e r i al  s t r e n g th   d a ta   determined   under  s t a t ic   l o a d i ng  is 

g e n e r a l ly  no 

l o n g er  

v a l i d.  

In  o t h er   words,  components  s u b j e ct 

to 

c y c l i c al   s t r e ss  may  

f a il   at  s t r e ss  l e v e ls  w e ll   below  t h e ir   n o m i n al 

s t a t ic   s t r e n g th  by  a  mode  of  f a i l u re   known  as  f a t i g u e. 

38. 

The  g r e at  s i g n i f i c a n ce  of  f a t i g ue   r e l a t i ve   to  the  s e r v i ce   l i fe   of 

i n d u s t r i al   p r o d u c ts   can  be  seen  from  the  f a ct  t h at  f a t i g ue  

f a i l u re 

accounts  f or  95%  of  a ll f r a c t u re   damage.  The  r e s e a r ch  to  be  c a r r i ed  out 

in  

t h is   a r ea   is  t h e r e f o re   aimed  at  the   development  of  measures  to 

p r e v e nt  f a t i g ue   damage  and  c o n s e q u e n t ly   to  i n c r e a se  the   r e a l i b i l i ty  

and 

s a f e ty  of   i n d u s t r i al   p r o d u c t s. 

The 

r e s e a r ch  

w i ll   c o n c e n t r a te 

on 

the 

newer  m a t e r i a ls  and   components  u n d e r g o i ng   the  much  h i g h er  s t r e s s es   which 

are  now  becoming common  in  e n g i n e e r i n g. 

39. 

M a t e r i a ls  d e t e r i o r a t i on  a l so  s e r i o u s ly  a f f e c ts   p r o d u ct  

r e l i a b i l i ty 

and 

l i f e t i m e,   w i th  c o r r o s i on  b e i ng  one  of  the   most  f r e q u e n t ly  

c i t ed 

problems  which  needs  to  be   remedied  in   t h is   a r e a. 

In  a d d i t i on  to  the 

f a ct   t h at  r e s e a r ch  may 

h e lp  to  a v o id  a   s i g n i f i c a nt   p a rt  of   economic 

l o s s es  r e s u l t i ng   from  c o r r o s i o n,  now  e s t i m a t ed 

to   amount  to   between  2 

and  4%  of  GNP 

in  the   i n d u s t r i a l i z ed   c o u n t r i e s,  r e s e a r ch  can  h e lp  to 

s o l ve  the   s p e c i f ic   c o r r o s i on   problems  w h i ch   are  c o n s i d e r ed 

to  s et  the 

c u r r e nt   l i m it   on  f u r t h er   developments  in  s e v e r al   i n d u s t r i al   b r a n c h es   and 

t e c h n o l o g i e s. 

-  45 -

40. 

The work  w i ll   be  a r r a n g ed   in  such  a way  t h at  r e l a t ed  work  c u r r e n t ly 

going  on under  t he ECSC   T r e a t y,  w i t h in   t he  COST framework and w i t h in  the 

work of t he  J o i nt   R e s e a r ch   C e n t re   can be   f u l ly   i n t e g r a t e d.  

F u ll   account 

w i ll   a l so   be  t a k en   of   on-going  n a t i o n al   programmes.  The work  w i ll   d e al 

e s p e c i a l ly   w i th   t he   development  of  m a t e r i a ls  w i th   enhanced  c o r r o s i on 

r e s i s t a n ce  

f or  use  in   a g g r e s s i ve  

media, 

r e s e a r ch  

on  hydrogen 

e m b r i t t l e m e nt   and  on   t e c h n i q u es   f or  improved  temporary  and  permanent 

c o r r o s i on  p r o t e c t i o n. 

41. 

A n o t h er   a r ea   of  s u b s t a n t i al   and  growing  economic  importance  w i t h in 

t h is   r e s e a r ch   a r ea   is  t h at   of   b i o c o m p a t i b i l i ty   and the  b i o d e t e r i o r a t i on 

of  m a t e r i a l s. 

E s p e c i a l ly  c o n s i d e r i ng   t he  growing  demand  f or  a r t i f i c i al 

replacement  p a r ts   f or t he  human   body,  t h e re  e x i s ts   a  r e al   need  to 

develop  m a t e r i a ls  

w h i ch   a re  b o th   c o m p a t i b le   w i th   and  a b le   to  r e s i st  the 

major  d e g e n e r a t i ve   e f f e c ts   of  t he   b o d i ly   c h e m i c al   p r o c e s s e s.  

Q u i te 

a p a rt   from 

t h is  

t h e re   is  a   need  f or   work  on  the   m i c r o b i o l o g i c al 

d e t e r i o r a t i on   of   e n g i n e e r i ng  m a t e r i a l s,   and so  t h is   is  a l so  i n c l u d ed   in 

the  programme. 

2) 

S u r f a ce   S c i e n ce   and  Technology 

42. 

R e s e a r ch   on  s u r f a ce  p r o p e r t i es   has  r e c e n t ly   become  i n c r e a s i n g ly 

i m p o r t a nt   in   s e v e r al   i n d u s t r i al   s e c t o rs   because  of the   i n c r e a s i ng   need 

f or  

f u n c t i o n al 

t e c h n i c al 

s u r f a c e s,   the  need  f or   r a t i o n al   use  of 

m a t e r i a ls   and energy  s a v i ng   and t he  need  to  improve  t he  s e r v i ce   l i fe   and 

the 

p r o t e c t i on   of  components  a g a i n st 

d e t e r i o r a t i on   p r o c e s s es  

l i ke 

c o r r o s i o n,   wear,  e t c.   as  d i s c u s s ed   above. 

43. 

F or   t h e se  

r e a s o n s,  

s u r f a ce 

e n g i n e e r i ng  

p r o c e s s es   a re   b e i ng 

i n c r e a s i n g ly  

a p p l i ed   in  t he   v a r i o us   branches  of  i n d u s t ry   and  are 

i n f l u e n c i ng   t he   f u n c t i o n, 

q u a l i ty   and 

r e l i a b i l i ty  

of 

i n d u s t r i al 

p r o d u c t s.  

From  t he   p o i nt   of  v i ew   of  t he   u s e r,   p r o p e r t i es   such  as 

freedom  from  p o r o s i t y,   low  u n it  c o s t s,   l o c al   a p p l i c a b i l i t y,  

r e l i a b le 

c o n t r ol   of  t he   e f f e c ts   of  a  treatment  on  o t h er   m a t e r i al   and  component 

p r o p e r t i e s,  e t c .,   a re of  p a r t i c u l ar   importance. 

-  46  -

4 4.  

More  r e c e nt  f i n d i n gs  of  p h y s i c o - c h e m i c al  r e s e a r ch   show  t h at  t h e re 

a re  p r o m i s i ng   p o s s i b i l i t i es   f or  p r o c e s s es  u s i ng   modern  a i ds  such  as  h i gh 

vacuum  technology  and   plasma  t e c h n i q u e s. 

Of   p a r t i c u l ar   r e l e v a n ce  is  the 

l o c al   improvement  of  component  p r o p e r t i es  by   means  of  new 

s u r f a ce 

e n g i n e e r i ng  t e c h n i q u e s. 

An   e f f o rt   a l so   needs  to  be   made  to  f u r t h er 

develop  known  s u r f a ce  t e c h n o l o g i es  w i th  a   v i ew   to  b r i n g i ng  the  r e s e a r ch 

to 

i n d u s t r i al   m a t u r i t y. 

An 

i m p o r t a nt 

a s p e ct 

in  

t h is  

r e g a rd 

is 

e n g i n e e r i ng  r e s e a r ch  w i th  a   v i ew   to  the  

t r a n s l a t i on   of  l a b o r a t o ry 

p r o c e s s e s,  

p a r t i c u l a r ly  

those 

i n v o l v i ng  

h i gh  

vacuum, 

to 

the 

m a n u f a c t u r i ng  s c a le  and  e v e n t u a l ly  to  p r o d u c t i o n - l i ne  p r o c e s s e s. 

3) 

L a s er   Technology  A p p l i c a t i o ns  t o g e t h er  w i th  o t h er  new   methods  of   

m e t al  shaping  and  f o r m i ng 

4 5.  

The 

p o t e n t i al  

a p p l i c a t i o ns  of  

power 

l a s e rs  

in 

m e c h a n i c al 

m a n u f a c t u r i ng 

are   numerous  and 

f ar   from  b e i ng  

f u l ly  

e x p l o r ed 

or 

e x p l o i t ed   in   Europe.  Impeding  e x p l o i t a t i on   in   Europe  is  s i m p ly  a  l a ck 

as  y et  of   s u f f i c i e nt   r e s e a r ch  and   consequent  knowledge  of  the  b a s ic 

phenomena  concerned, 

t h is   r e s u l t i ng   in  l a r ge  p a rt   from  the  f a ct   t h at 

what 

r e s e a r ch  

e x i s ts  

is  s c a t t e r e d,  u n c o o r d i n a t ed 

in   most 

cases 

s u b - c r i t i c i a l.  

In  c o n t r a s t,   MITI  in   Japan  a l r e a dy  has 

a  7  year 

programme  under  way 

in  the   framework  of  a  p r o j e ct  f or  

f l e x i b le 

m a n u f a c t u r i ng   systems.  That  programme  has  a  budget  of  about  50  MioECU 

and  i n v o l v es  the   c o l l a b o r a t i on   of  some  20  e n t e r p r i s e s.  In  the 

U.S., 

Batelle-Columbus  has  r e c e n t ly   b u i lt   a  major  r e s e a r ch   f a c i l i ty   to  h e lp 

i n d u s t ry   apply  l a s er   t e c h n o l o g y. 

4 6.  

Given  the  p r o j e c t ed  annual   growth  r a te  of   many  l a s er   t e c h n o l o gy 

a p p l i c a t i o ns   (30%  in  the  case  of   " l a s er   b l a c k s m i t h i n g"  on  the   assembly 

l i n e)   and 

the   wide  range  of  s e c t o rs   w h i ch   may 

b e n e f it   from 

t h is 

t e c h n o l o gy  (e.g.  the   motor  v e h i c l e,   m e c h a n i c al  e n g i n e e r i n g,   a i r c r a f t, 

m e d i c al   equipment  and  e l e c t r o n i cs   i n d u s t r i e s ),   it is   c r u c i al   t h at   Europe 

e x e rt   i t s e lf   in   t h is  

f i e l d. 

-  47  -

47. 

Power  l a s e rs  are 

a l r e a dy 

in  use 

to   some  degree  f or  c u t t i n g, 

d r i l l i n g,   w e l d i ng   and 

s u r f a ce  

t r e a t m e n t.  

The 

advantages  of 

l a s er 

t e c h n o l o gy   is  t h at  it  can   w i t h o ut   g r e at   d i f f i c u l t i es   be  i n t e g r a t ed  i n to 

e x i s t i ng   p r o d u c t i on   l i n e s.  

In   m a c h i n i n g,   the  method  is   advantageous  in 

s m a ll  s e r i e s.   L a s er   t e c h n o l o gy   is  a l so  w e ll   adapted  to  modify  l o c a l ly 

the  s u r f a ce  p r o p e r t i es  of   components. 

48. 

The  R&D  work  in  the   programme  w i ll   be  aimed  at  g a i n i ng  a  b e t t er 

u n d e r s t a n d i ng   and  c o n t r ol  of  the  i n t e r a c t i on of  l a s er  beams  w i th   metals 

and  n o n - m e t a l s,  t h is   in  o r d er  to  a t t a in  a  b e t t er  and   more  economic  use 

p a r t i c u l a r ly   from  the  e n g i n e e r i ng  s t a n d p o i n t. 

E s p e c i a l ly  the   working  of 

copper  and  a l u m i n i um   m a t e r i a ls   w i ll   be  a  major  s u b j e ct  in   t h is   r e s p e c t. 

Work  to  e s t a b l i sh  the   v i a b i l i ty   of  l a s er  p r o c e s s i ng  in  i n d u s t ry  

w i ll 

a l so  be   promoted;  a t t e n t i on   w i ll   c e r t a i n ly be  p a id  to  the  s a f e ty  of   work 

p r o c e d u r es   f or  the  p r o d u c t i on   l i ne   use  of  l a s e r s. 

49. 

Not 

d i r e c t ly   concerned  w i th 

l a s er  a p p l i c a t i o ns  but 

of  s i m i l ar 

economic  i m p o r t a n ce  and  h a v i ng   s i m i l ar   w i d e - r a n g i ng   a p p l i c a t i o ns  are  a 

number  of  emerging  t e c h n o l o g i es  f or   m e t al   forming. 

Of   major  i n t e r e st  is 

powder  m e t a l l u r gy  f or   n e ar   net  shape  manufacture  of  components  from  a 

v a r i e ty   of  m a t e r i a l s.  

Advances  in   t h is   t e c h n o l o gy   can  g i ve   r i se   to 

c o n s i d e r a b le 

s a v i n gs 

in   energy  and 

raw 

m a t e r i a l s,  as  w e ll  as 

to 

s i g n i f i c a n t ly   improved  m e c h a n i c al   and  o t h er  t e c h n o l o g i c al  p r o p e r t i es  of 

component  m a t e r i a ls  as  a   consequence  of  the   homogeneous  g r a in  s t r u c t u r es 

o b t a i n ed   from  t h is   t e c h n o l o g y. 

50. 

In   t h is   a r e a,   work  w i ll   be  o r i e n t ed   towards  powder 

p r o d u c t i o n, 

compaction  and  s i n t e r i n g,  where  p a r t i c u l ar  a t t e n t i on   w i ll   be  p a id  to 

r e f r a c t o ry   m e t a l s.  

For  the  p r o d u c t i on 

of   components  f or  f u t u re 

gas 

t u r b i n e s,   developments  are  needed  c o n c e r n i ng   hot  i s o s t a t ic   compacting,  a 

t e c h n o l o gy   w e ll   advanced  in  the  US  and   Japan. 

The  l a ck  of   fundamental 

, knowledge  in  the   Community  is  a l r e a dy  l e a d i ng  to   d i f f i c u l t i es   i n,  f or 

example,  the  w e l d i ng   of  t u r b i ne   components. 

The  same  s i t u a t i on  c o u ld 

a r i se   in  the   f i e ld   of  hot   i s o s t a t ic   p r e s s i n g,  a   technique  t h at   w i ll   be 

used  f or  the 

p r o d u c t i on 

of  m a t e r i a ls 

f or  the 

f u t u re

  ceramic 

gas 

t u r b i n e s.   Unnecessary  d u p l i c a t i on  of   work  b e i ng  c a r r i ed  out  in  the   COST 

503  programme  w i ll   be  a v o i d e d. 

-  48  -

4) 

J o i n i ng   Techniques 

51. 

Most  of  today's  manufactured   goods  c o n s i st   of  v a r i o us   d i f f e r e nt 

m a t e r i a ls   j o i n ed   t o g e t h er  u s i ng  t e c h n i q u es  of  a n c i e nt   o r i g in   or   modern 

v a r i a t i o ns   t h e r e o f.   However,  w i th  the  advent  of  new 

manu factu ring 

methods  i n v o l v i ng   r o b o t s,  automation 

and  c o n t i n u o us  p r o c e s s e s,  the 

e x i s t i ng   j o i n i ng   t e c h n i q u es   need  major  m o d i f i c a t i o n.   Moreover,  t h e re is 

a  growing  need  f or  i n c r e a s ed   r e l i a b i l i ty   of  j o i n ed   p a r ts  as   w e ll   as  f or 

more  r a t i o n al   use  of   j o i n i ng   m a t e r i a ls f or  energy  s a v i n g.  The  r e s e a r ch 

n e c e s s a ry  to   meet  these  needs  is  thus  e x t e n s i v e,   though  the  p o t e n t i al 

b e n e f i ts   w i ll   be  i m p o r t a nt  to  a   wide  range  of   i n d u s t r i e s. 

52. 

The  p r i n c i p al   j o i n i ng   t e c h n i q u es  today  a re  w e l d i n g,   j o i n i ng   by  the 

use  of  a d h e s i v es  and  c o m b i n a t i o ns  of  t he  two. 

But   problems  a r i se   in 

p a r t i c u l ar   where  m a t e r i a ls of   d i s s i m i l ar   n a t u re   have  to  be   j o i n e d,   e.g. 

f e r r o us   and  n o n - f e r r o us  m e t a l s,  m e t a ls  w i th  polymers 

and 

composite 

m a t e r i a l s,   m e t a ls 

to  c e r a m i c s,  e t c. 

W i th 

the  

i n c r e a s i ng   use 

of 

m a t e r i a ls   d i f f i c u lt   to  weld  by   f u s i on   t e c h n i q u e s,  the   development  of 

s o l id   phase  w e l d i ng  t e c h n i q u es   ( d i f f u s i on   b o n d i n g,  

f r i c t i on   welding) 

w i ll   be  i m p o r t a nt  in  the   coming  y e a r s. 

53. 

Another 

a r ea  needing   more  R&D 

e f f o rt  

concerns 

the  

f u r t h er 

development  of  low  c o st   automated  w e l d i ng  t e c h n i q u es   making  use  of 

m i c r o p r o c e s s o r s,   which  s h o u ld   l e ad   b o th  to  h i g h er   p r o d u c t i v i ty   and  to  a 

c o n s t a nt   h i g h er  p r o d u ct   q u a l i t y.   T h is  r e s e a r ch  i n c l u d es t he   development 

of  sensors  and  a d a p t i ve   c o n t r ol   systems. 

In  Japan   much  a t t e n t i on   is 

b e i ng   p a id  to  these  developments. 

54. 

E l e c t r on   beam  w e l d i ng  was  an   o r i g i n al   European  development  in  the 

l a te   1950's,  but  Japan  is   t a k i ng   the  l e ad   in   a p p l i c a t i o ns   i n c l u d i ng   f or 

steam  t u r b i ne  components,  p r e s s u re   v e s s el   main  and  c i r c u m f e r e n t i al   seams 

and  n u c l e ar  r e a c t or   components. 

S u c c e s s f ul   e x p l o i t a t i on   of  h i gh   power 

e l e c t r on   beam  w e l d i ng   w i ll   r e s u lt   in   s i g n i f i c a nt   economic  advantages, 

due  to  the   f a c ts   t h at  the  weld  is  completed  in  a   s i n g le   pass  ( in   s t e el 

t h i c k n e s s es   up  to  250  mm)  compared  w i th  m u l t i p a ss  a rc  w e l d i ng  ( in   s t e el 

t h i c k n e s s es   up  to  6  mm  in  a   s i n g le   p a s s ),  no   f i l l er   m a t e r i a ls a re  used, 

w o r k p i e ce   d i s t o r t i on   is low  and  energy  r e q u i r e m e n ts  a re  m i n i m i s e d. 

-  49  -

55. 

A d h e s i ve   b o n d i ng   is  a  t e c h n i q ue  a l r e a dy  in  r o u t i ne  use  in  the 

a e r o n a u t i cs  i n d u s t r y, but  i ts  a p p l i c a t i on   in h i gh   speed  p r o d u c t i on   l i n es 

(e.g.  motor  c ar  i n d u s t r y)  r e q u i r es  the   s o l u t i on   of  fundamental  problems 

in   p r o d u c t i on  t e c h n o l o gy  

( j o i nt   b e h a v i o u r,   t e s t i ng   of  j o i n t s,   c o n d i t i on 

of  s u r f a c es  to  be  j o i n e d ). 

5) 

New 

T e s t i ng   Methods  i n c l u d i ng  n o n - d e s t r u c t i ve  

t e s t i n g,   o n - l i ne   

t e s t i ng   and  c o m p u t e r - a s s i s t ed  

t e s t i ng 

56. 

Improved  Community  p r o d u ct  

r e l i a b i l i t y,   q u a l i ty   and  s e r v i ce  

l i fe 

can  be  g r e a t ly   enhanced  though  the  abovementioned  r e s e a r ch   r e l a t i ng   to 

product  wear  and 

d e t e r i o r a t i o n,   but  f or  these  aspects  to   become  a 

c o n s t a nt 

and 

r e c o g n i z ed 

f e a t u re 

of 

our 

p r o d u c ts 

t h e re   must 

be 

s i g n i f i c a nt   advances made  r e l a t i ng   to  product   t e s t i ng   t e c h n o l o g i e s. 

57. 

The  aim  of  n o n - d e s t r u c t i ve   t e s t i ng   is  comparable  to  t h at  of  m e d i c al 

d i a g n o s i s,   t h at  is  to  say  t h at  if d e f e c ts  in  p r o d u c ts  can  be  d e t e c t ed  at 

an  e a r ly  s t a g e,  p o s s i b le   dangers  of  f a i l u r es   at  a   l a t er   stage  can  be 

p r e v e n t e d. 

58. 

Of  major  concern  is  d e v e l o p i ng  the   means  to   v e r i fy   product  q u a l i ty 

through  complete  a u t o m a t ic   t e s t i ng   of  components  p a r t i c u l a r ly   d u r i ng  the 

p r o d u c t i on 

and  

sub-assembly 

stages 

of 

the 

manufacturing 

p r o c e s s. 

Spot-checks  of  component  q u a l i ty  

is  no 

l o n g er  

s u f f i c i e n t,   nor  is 

component  q u a l i ty   a s s u r ed  by  the   f a ct   t h at  the   completed,  assembled 

product  o p e r a t e s. 

But   improved  q u a l i ty   t e s t i ng   r e q u i r es  the i n t e g r a t i on 

of  new  methods  (e.g.  improved  n o n - d e s t r u c t i ve  t e s t i n g)  and   means  of 

a p p l i c a t i on   (e.g.  the  c o m p u t e r i s a t i on  of  these  processes   i n to   a 

f u l ly 

i n t e g r a t ed   t e s t i ng   and  c o r r e c t i on   system  w i t h in  the  p r o d u c t i on  

l i n e ), 

which  o v e r a ll   n e c e s s i t a t es  c o n s i d e r a b le  new  r e s e a r ch   e f f o r t s. 

59. 

The  v a r i o us  t o p i cs   chosen  f or  r e s e a r ch  in   t h is   area  are   d i r e c t ly 

l i n k ed  

to  t o p i cs  covered 

in  the  areas 

of  

r e l i a b i l i ty  

(wear 

and 

d e t e r i o r a t i o n ),   polymers  and 

composites,  

l a s er  

technology, 

s u r f a ce 

s c i e n ce  and   j o i n i ng   t e c h n i q u e s. 

-  50 -

60. 

F u n c t i o n - r e l a t ed   t e st   methods  f or  m a t e r i al   d e t e r i o r a t i on   processes 

must  be  f u r t h er  developed   in   v i ew   of  t he   e v e r - i n c r e a s i ng   q u a l i ty 

r e q u i r e m e n t s.  

Emphasis 

w i ll  

be 

p l a c ed  

on 

hydrogen 

induced 

e m b r i t t l e m e n t,   f r a c t u re   mechanics,  f r e t t i ng   and  f r e t t i ng   f a t i g ue  w i th 

r e f e r e n ce   to   f u n c t i o n al   c o n d i t i o ns   in   s e r v i ce   l i f e,   measurement  and 

t e s t i ng   of  t r i b o l o g i c al   damage and t e s t i ng   methods  f or   b i o d e t e r i o r a t i o n. 

61. 

N o n - d e s t r u c t i ve  

t e s t i ng   methods 

( a c o u s t ic  e m i s s i on  

a n a l y s i s, 

u l t r a s o n i c - s p e c t r o s c o p y,   E d d y - c u r r e nt  e x a m i n a t i o n,  e t c .)   must be f u r t h er 

developed  p a r t i c u l a r ly   in  v i ew   of   c o n c u r r e nt   or   s e q u e n t i al   a p p l i c a t i on 

in   l a r g e - s c a le   computer  i n t e g r a t ed   m a n u f a c t u r e,   i . e.   development  of 

computer  a i d ed  o n - l i ne   t e s t i n g.  

N o n - d e s t r u c t i ve   t e s t i ng   f or   b u i l d i n g s, 

b r i d g es   and o t h er  s t r u c t u r es   w i ll   a l so   be  i n c l u d e d.  T h is   work  w i ll   be 

c l o s e ly   c o - o r d i n a t ed  w i th   c e r t a in   work  under  t he  ESPRIT  programme in the 

f i e ld   of  Computer  I n t e g r a t ed  M a n u f a c t u r e. 

62. 

An  e s s e n t i al  

c r i t e r i on   in  t he   e v a l u a t i on   of  t he   q u a l i ty   and 

r e l i a b i l i ty   of   i n d u s t r i al   p r o d u c ts   is  t h e ir   s e r v i ce   l i f e.   Knowledge of 

s t r e s s es   under  o p e r a t i ng  c o n d i t i o ns  a re a   c r i t i c al   requirement  f or  the 

r a t i o n al   use  of   m a t e r i a ls   and  t he   o p t i m i z a t i on   of   components  and 

s t r u c t u r e s,   needed  if   c o m p e t i t i v e n e ss   is  to  be   m a i n t a i n ed   and 

" o v e r d e s i g n"  a v o i d e d. 

Research   must  be  done  on  s e n s o rs   and  s t r e ss 

m o n i t o r i ng  d e v i c es   and  t e s t i ng   methods  f or  m a t e r i a ls   and  components 

under  s e r v i ce  s t r e s s es  or  t h e ir   s i m u l a t i o n. 

6) 

CAD/CAM and M a t h e m a t i c al   Models 

63. 

Computer-aided  d e s i gn   (CAD) is an   i m p o r t a nt   t o ol   b o th   to   improve 

product 

q u a l i ty   and  to   save  m a t e r i a ls   by  b e t t er  d e s i gn   and use. 

F u r t h e r,   as  t he   t r a n s i t i on   q u i c k n e ss   from  l a b o ur  i n t e n s i ve  to  h i g h ly 

automated  and  r o b o t i z ed  p r o d u c t i on  p r o c e s s e s,  p r o d u c ts   need  to be 

r e d e s i g n ed   to  i n c o r p o r a te  f e a t u r es   to  enable  t he  b e st   use to be made of 

the  new p r o d u c t i on  p r o c e s s e s.   Computer-aided  d e s i gn   can be an   important 

h e lp   in  t h is   r e g a rd  t o o. 

-  51  -

64. 

Computer-aided  m a n u f a c t u r i ng  (CAM)  is   i t s e lf   an  e s s e n t i al   p a rt  of 

the move  towards  the   more  automated  p r o d u c t i on   l i n e.  

It a l l o ws  a   b e t t er 

c o n t r ol   of  the  p r o d u c t i on  p r o c e ss  and  s h o u ld  g i ve   r i se   to  products  of 

h i g h er   and  more  c o n s i s t e nt  q u a l i ty   and 

r e l i a b i l i t y. 

65. 

CAD 

and  CAM  have  been  the  s u b j e ct  of  a  g r e at  d e al  of   work 

throughout  the  Member  S t a t es  of  the   Community  but  t h e re  has   been  so much 

R&D  in  the  US  and  Japan  s u p p o r t ed  by  governmental  agencies  t h at   Europe 

is   now  in  g e n e r al   w e ll   b e h i nd  the  b e st  w o r ld   p r a c t i c e. 

66. 

It  s h o u ld  be  p o i n t ed  out   t h a t,   w i t h in   the  framework  of  the  BTR 

programme,  t he  g o al  of  r e s e a r ch  on  these   t o p i cs   is  not  to   advance 

CAD/CAM  t e c h n o l o gy  in   i t s e lf   but  r a t h er  to  modify   CAD/CAM  techniques  to 

make  them  s u i t a b le   f or   r e l a t i v e ly   s i m p le  p r o d u c t i on  p r o c e s s es  in  the 

m a n u f a c t u r i ng   i n d u s t r i es   (e.g.  machine  t o o l,   s h i p b u i l d i n g,   polymer  and 

drop  f o r g i ng   i n d u s t r i e s)   and  e s p e c i a l ly   in   SMEs. 

The  more  advanced 

a p p l i c a t i o ns   of  CAD/CAM  t e c h n o l o gy  a re  i n c l u d ed  w i t h in   the  framework  of 

the  ESPRIT  and  m i c r o e l e c t r o n i cs   programmes. 

67. 

In  o r d er  t h at  CAD  and  CAM  can  be   e f f e c t i v e ly   u t i l i s ed   in the   modern 

p r o d u c t i on   p r o c e s s e s,  a  g r e a t er  u n d e r s t a n d i ng  of  the  v a r i o us   f a c e ts   of 

these  p r o d u c t i on  p r o c e s s es  is  needed  -  and  can  be  s u p p l i ed  through  the 

development  of  m a t h e m a t i c al  m o d e l l i n g.   Work  in   t h is   area 

w i ll   be 

d i r e c t ed   towards  c r e a t i ng   models  f or  a   wide  range  of   i n d u s t r i es   and  f or 

s m a ll   as  w e ll   as  l a r ge   p r o d u c t i on   p l a n t s.   A  major  o b j e c t i ve   is to   b r i ng 

the  a p p l i c a t i on   of  CAD  and  CAM  and  mathematical  m o d e l l i ng   w i t h in   the 

f i n a n c i al   r e a ch  of   SMEs. 

7) 

P o l y m e r s,  Composites  and  o t h er  new  m a t e r i a ls 

68. 

Polymers 

a re   becoming  i n c r e a s i n g ly   important  because  they 

can 

r e p l a ce   s c a r ce  m a t e r i a ls and   because  t h e ir   range  of  important  mechanical 

p r o p e r t i es   ( e . g.   l i g h t n e s s,   c o r r o s i on  r e s i s t a n c e,   ease  of  shaping)  can 

g i ve   r i se   to  numerous  e n g i n e e r i ng   a p p l i c a t i o n s. 

-  52  -

69. 

W h i le   the  Commission  has  been  s t r o n g ly  a d v i s ed  t h at  the  f u t u re  of 

Community  i n d u s t ry   w i ll   depend  s i g n i f i c a n t ly   on  i ts   a b i l i ty   to   produce 

polymers  h a v i ng   improved  s p e c i al  t e c h n o l o g i c al  p r o p e r t i es  (e.g.   improved 

s t r e n g th  and  

s t a b i l i t y ),   t h at   a b i l i ty   is  f a c i ng  a  d u al  t h r e a t. 

On  the 

one  hand,  h i gh  q u a l i ty   polymers  produced  in  the  US  and   Japan  a re  a l r e a dy 

on  the  market,  meaning  t h at  a   t e c h n o l o gy   l ag  a l r e a dy  e x i s ts  and   must 

f i r st   be  compensated. 

On  the  o t h er   hand,  the  E a st   European  and 

the 

o i l - p r o d u c i ng  c o u n t r i es  are   p r o d u c i ng   at  low  p r i c es  the   polymers  of 

normal  q u a l i ty  f or   s t a n d a rd   a p p l i c a t i o n s. 

The  d i s i n c e n t i ve  to  e f f o r ts 

in   e i t h er  d i r e c t i on  is  t h e r e f o re  c o n s i d e r a b le  and  may   b e st   be  overcome 

by  Community  s u p p o r t. 

70. 

The  polymer  r e s e a r ch  in   t h is   programme  w i ll   be  aimed  at 

the 

s o l u t i on  of   problems  w h i ch  

i n h i b it  

t h e ir  a c t u al 

use 

in 

p r o d u c t s,   e.g.  r e l a t i ng  to   l o n g - t e rm   s t a b i l i t y,   flame  r e s i s t a n c e, 

m e c h a n i c al   s t r e n g t h,   t o x i c i ty   and  the   b o n d i ng   of  polymers  one 

to 

another  or  to   o t h er   m a t e r i a ls 

the 

a n t i c i p a t i on 

of 

new  

demands, 

p a r t i c u l a r ly  f or  

m e d i c al 

a p p l i c a t i o ns 

( p r o s t h e s i s,   organ  r e p l a c e m e n t,   e t c ),  a g r i c u l t u r al 

uses  (e.g.  new  t e c h n i q u es   f or  c o n t r ol  of  d i s e a se  and   p e s t s)   and 

communication  and  e l e c t r o n ic   t e c h n o l o gy   (e.g.  c o n d u c t i ve   polymers) 

the  need 

f or  b e t t er 

p r o d u c t i v i ty 

in 

the 

c o n v e r s i on 

of 

the 

m a t e r i a l s. 

71. 

Composites,  which  are  m u l t i p h a se   m a t e r i a ls   combining  the  e s s e n t i al 

p r o p e r t i es  and   advantages  of  s e v e r al   " t r a d i t i o n a l"   m a t e r i a ls   such  as 

r u b b e r,   g l a ss  or   m e t a l s,   must  a l so  be   d e v e l o p ed   in   o r d er   to   meet  the 

consumer  r e q u i r e m e n ts  of  the  f u t u r e.   Composites  a re   a l w a ys   used  in  the 

p u r s u it 

of 

a 

s p e c i f ic  t e c h n o l o g i c al 

aim 

:  to   improve  performance 

compared  w i th  the  use  of   single-component  m a t e r i a ls  (e.g.  r e l a t i ng  to 

m e c h a n i c a l,   o p t i c al  and   thermochemical  p r o p e r t i e s ). 

It  is  o n ly   through 

composite  developments 

t h at 

a   number 

of 

i m p o r t a nt  

p r o d u c ts  

and 

components  may  be  improved  w i th  r e s p e ct  to  t h e ir  wear,  s t r e n g t h,   weight 

and  i n s u l a t i on  p r o p e r t i e s. 

S p e c i a l ly  t a i l o r ed  made  c o m p o s i t es   are 

an 

answer  to  the   growing  demand  p a r t i c u l a r ly  f or   l i g h t er   and 

s t r o n g er 

m a t e r i a l s. 

-  53 -

7 2.  

T he  r e s e a r ch   in  t he   f i e ld   of  c o m p o s i t es  

w i ll   c o n c e rn   t he   d e v e l­

o p m e nt   of n ew  c o m p o s i te   m a t e r i a ls 

w i th  

s p e c i f ic   m e c h a n i c al   a nd  p h y s i c al 

p r o p e r t i e s, 

c o s t - e f f e c t i ve  p r o d u c t i on 

t e c h n o l o g i es   a nd  s u i t a b le 

j o i n i ng 

t e c h n i q u e s.   T he  c h a r a c t e r i s a t i on   of  f u n d a m e n t al   p h y s i c al 

p r o p e r t i es 

c o n n e c t ed   w i th   e n d - u se   a p p l i c a t i o ns   is  a l so  n e c e s s a ry   to  b u i ld  up 

k n o w l e d ge   on   s t r u c t u r e / p r o p e r ty 

r e l a t i o n s h i p s.   T he  r e s e a r ch  

w i ll   be 

d i r e c t ed   to  g e n e r al  

p r o b l e ms   of  w i de   i n d u s t r i al  

i n t e r e s t. 

S p e c i a l i st 

a p p l i c a t i o ns   of  c o m p o s i te   m a t e r i a ls   in   p a r t i c u l ar   f or t he   t r a n s p o rt 

i n d u s t r i es   a re  to be   i n c l u d ed 

w i t h in   a  f u r t h er   p r o g r a m me   on   m a t e r i a ls 

on   w h i ch   it is  h o p ed   to  p r e s e nt 

p r o p o s a ls 

s h o r t l y.  

R e s e a r ch   is   a l so 

n e e d ed   on   o t h er   n ew  m a t e r i a ls 

w i th 

s p e c i al   e l e c t r i c a l,   m a g n e t ic  a nd 

o p t o - e l e c t r o n ic 

p r o p e r t i e s,   in   p a r t i c u l ar   f or  s p e c i al  a p p l i c a t i o ns  in 

e l e c t r i c al  

e n g i n e e r i n g. 

73. 

C o n s i d e r a b le  f o r e i gn r e s e a r ch   is  a l r e a dy  going   on in t he  f i e l ds   of 

m a c r o m o l e c u l ar   c h e m i s t r y,   polymers  and  composite  m a t e r i a l s.   In the US 

it   is  t a k i ng  p l a ce   in t he  framework  of a  U n i v e r s i t y / I n d u s t ry C o o p e r a t i ve 

Research  C e n t re   Programme  (UICR)  of t he  N a t i o n al  S c i e n ce  Foundation   and 

o t h er   programmes.  In   Japan,   MITI  is  s u p p o r t i ng   polymer  and  composite 

m a t e r i a ls   r e s e a r ch   in t he   framework  of  i ts   "Research  and  Development 

P r o j e ct   of  B a s ic   Technology  f or t he  F u t u re I n d u s t r i e s ". 

8) 

Membrane  S c i e n ce   and Technology  and Problems  in   e l e c t r o c h e m i s t ry 

74. 

The  a b i l i ty   to   s e p a r a te  m a t e r i a ls   from  each  o t h er  e c o n o m i c a l ly  is 

c r u c i al   and  o f t en   t he   l i m i t i ng  

f a c t or   in   l a r g e - s c a le  

i n d u s t r i al 

p r o c e s s e s.  

At  t he  same   t i m e,   t he   i n c r e a s ed  c o st   of  energy  and  raw 

m a t e r i a ls   has made many  e x i s t i ng   p r o c e s s es   and in  p a r t i c u l ar   s e p a r a t i on 

p r o c e d u r es  

l e ss  

a t t r a c t i v e,   meaning  t h at   new  processes  have  to  be 

adapted  to  t he   changes  in  energy  and  f e e d s t o ck  s u p p l i es   and  in manu­

f a c t u r i ng   r e q u i r e m e n t s. 

S e p a r a t i on  p r o c e s s es   based  on  membranes  a re 

p a r t i c u l a r ly   s u i t ed   to  these  r e q u i r e m e n t s. 

75. 

The  essence  of membrane"  s c i e n ce   is  r e l a t i v e ly   s i m p l e,   i n v o l v i ng  the 

p h y s i c al  

s e p a r a t i on   of  s p e c i f ic   compounds  from 

l i q u id   or   gaseous 

m i x t u r e s,   b ut  t he   t e c h n o l o gy  n e c e s s a ry   to   transpose  the  s c i e n ce   i n to 

p r a c t i c al   i n d u s t r i al   a p p l i c a t i o ns  is  complex  and  r e q u i r es   the  type  of 

l a r g e - s c a le   and  c o - o r d i n a t ed   work  e f f o rt   t h at   has n ot y et  been  s u c c e s s­

f u l ly   c r e a t ed   in  Europe.  A l t h o u gh   European  b a s ic  r e s e a r ch  over   the  l a st 

two  decades  has  c o n c e i v ed   a  number  of membrane   s c i e n ce   and  technology 

-  54  -

developments  h o l d i ng  the   promise  of  numerous  a p p l i c a t i o ns  in  i n d u s t ry 

and  m e d i c i n e,  the  t e c h n o l o g i c al   development  and  c o m m e r c i a l i s a t i on  of 

these  e f f o r ts   have  l a r g e ly   been  c e n t r ed  in  the  US  and   more  r e c e n t ly  in 

Japan  due  to  these  c o u n t r i e s'   commitment  to  R&D  on  t h is   t o p ic  (10%  of 

t o t al   Japanese  funds  f or  the   MITI  programme  on  b a s ic  t e c h n o l o g i es  f or 

f u t u re   i n d u s t r i es or   about  50  MioECU  u n t il   1990)). 

76. 

But 

the  

p o t e n t i al  

of  membrane  t e c h n o l o gy 

is  f ar   from 

f u l ly 

developed  and  has  as   such  been  mentioned  in  FAST  s t u d i e s.   A n n u al   s a l es 

of  a ll  membrane  s e p a r a t i on   systems,  w h i ch   were  almost  n o n - e x i s t e nt   some 

30  y e a rs  ago,  are  now  500   MioECU,  and  p r e s e nt  p r o j e c t i o ns a re  t h at  s a l es 

w i ll   r e a ch  at   l e a st   15  times  t h is   f i g u r e.  

Developments  w i ll   s e r ve  to 

p a r t i a l ly   r e p l a ce   e x i s t i ng   s e p a r a t i on  t e c h n i q u es  and  t h e r e f o re   open  up 

new  o p p o r t u n i t i es  f or  e n g i n e e r i ng  f i r m s. 

77. 

As  problems  e x i st   b o th   r e l a t ed   to  the   a v a i l a b i l i ty   of   adequate  and 

s t a b le   m a t e r i a ls  f or  the  p r o d u c t i on  of   membranes  and  in  the  

f i e ld   of 

i n d u s t r i al   a p p l i c a t i o ns of   membranes,  r e s e a r ch  in   t h is   programme  w i ll   be 

d i r e c t ed   towards  : 

Development  of  new  membrane m a t e r i a l s,  i n c l u d i ng  c e r a m i cs 

S e p a r a t i on 

of   gases 

i n to  

t h e ir   components,  e.g. 

oxygen  from 

n i t r o g en   and  n a t u r al  gas,   a c id   components  from  exhaust  gases 

- 

S e p a r a t i on  by  p e r v a p o r a t i on  of  s m a ll   amounts  of  o r g a n ic   compounds 

in   w a t e r,   minor  amounts  of  water  in  o r g a n ic   l i q u i ds   and  o r g a n ic 

l i q u id   m i x t u r es  of  the  a l i p h a t i c / a r o m a t ic type 

S e p a r a t i on  p r o c e s s es 

u s i ng  

l i q u id   membranes  ( e m u l s i on 

type 

or 

i m m o b i l i s ed  

l i q u id   type)  f or   waste  w a t er  

p u r i f i c a t i on   and 

in 

h y d r o m e t a l l u r gy 

S e p a r a t i on  by  r e v e r se   osmosis  and 

u l t r a f i l t r a t i on   of  a  s o l u te 

m i x t u re 

in   water  u s i ng  a  c o n t i n u o us   membrane  column,  w i th  an 

emphasis  on  the   f o u l i ng   problem. 

78. 

Some  of  the   fundamental  p r o c e s s es  i n v o l v ed  in   membrane  technology 

a l so   a p p ly  to   c e r t a in   problems  in  a p p l i ed  e l e c t r o c h e m i s t r y.  T h is  is  an 

e s s e n t i al   p r o c e ss  in  the  n o n - f e r r o us  m e t a l l u r gy  i n d u s t r y.  Of  

s p e c i al 

concern  is  the   i r r e v e r s i b le   phenomena  of  a n o d ic   systems  and  f u s ed   s a lt 

e l e c t r o l y s is   t e c h n o l o g y.  

These  q u e s t i o ns  a re  a c c o r d i n g ly  i n c l u d ed  in 

the  programme. 

-  55  -

9) 

C a t a l y s is   and  P a r t i c le   Technology 

79. 

Most  of  t he  r e s e a r ch  p r o j e c ts   proposed  f or   i n c l u s i on   in   t h is   BTR 

programme  s h o u ld  g i ve   r i se   to  b e n e f i ts in  a  number  of  i n d u s t r i e s.   There 

i s,   however,  one  p a r t i c u l ar   a r ea  of  c h e m i c al  e n g i n e e r i ng  r e s e a r ch   which 

the  Commission  proposes  to  i n c l u de  even  though  i ts  main  a p p l i c a t i o ns are 

most  i m p o r t a nt  to  c h e m i c al   manufacture.  T h is  concerns  the   phenomenon  of 

c a t a l y s i s,   or  the  p r o p e r ty  of  substances 

t h at  

f a c i l i t a te  

chemical 

r e a c t i o ns   w i t h o ut  themselves  b e i ng   consumed.  But  of  course   c a t a l y s is   is 

a l so   i m p o r t a nt  g e n e r a l ly w i th  r e g a rd  to   p o l l u t i on   abatement  and,  f or  the 

i n d u s t r i es   needing  to   reduce  t h e ir   p o l l u t i ng   e m i s s i o n s. 

80. 

A l t h o u gh  m a i n ly 

of  concern 

to  the  c h e m i c al  and  a s s o c i a t ed 

i n d u s t r i e s,   c a t a l y s is   is  such  a  u n i v e r s al  mechanism  throughout  t h is   wide 

and  e c o n o m i c a l ly  i m p o r t a nt  s e c t or  of  i n d u s t ry  t h at  it  deserves

  s p e c i al 

c o n s i d e r a t i on   -  90%  of  a ll  i n d u s t r i al   c h e m i c al  p r o d u c ts  are   manufactured 

v ia   one  or   more  c a t a l y t ic   p r o c e ss  s t e p s. 

81. 

E x t e n s i ve   programmes have been  launched  b o th  in  the  US  and  in   Japan 

to  s t r e n g t h en   c a t a l y s is   r e s e a r c h.   Government  f u n d i ng  is  e s t i m a t ed  to  be 

20-25  MioECU/year  in  the  US  and   about  5  MioECU/year  in   Japan.  But  the 

p o t e n t i al   market  is   tremendous. 

It  has   been  e s t i m a t ed  in  the  US  t h at 

the  p e t r o l e u m,  c h e m i c al  and  automotive   i n d u s t r i es   alone  used  US  $  1.36 

b i l l i on   w o r th   of  c a t a l y s ts   in   1980. 

The  p r o j e c t ed   growth  r a te  is   about 

3.5%  p er  y e a r. 

82. 

In   l i ne   w i th  the   FAST  recommendations,  the  major  g o al  of   Community 

r e s e a r ch  in  

t h is   a r ea  

w i ll   be 

to  develop 

new  

c a t a l y s ts   of  h i gh 

s p e c i f i c i ty   f or  the  p r o d u c t i on  of   f i ne   c h e m i c a l s. 

83. 

The  i m p o r t a nt   advantages  of  the  new   c a t a l y s ts   w i ll   be  : 

b e t t er   use  of  raw  m a t e r i a ls  ( f e e d s t o c k)  as   l e ss   m a t e r i al  is   used 

f or   t he  p r o d u c t i on  of  u n d e s i r ed  by-products 

s e p a r a t i on   of  t he  b y - p r o d u c ts  

w i ll   be  l e ss   c o s t ly   because  l e ss 

t i m e,   c a p i t al   ( s e p a r a t i on u n i t s)  and   energy  w i ll   be  needed 

i n a c t i v a t i on  

of 

c a t a l y s ts  

by 

by-products 

can 

be 

reduced 

c o n s i d e r a b l y,   l e a d i ng  to  a  l o n g er   l i fe   of  the  expensive   c a t a l y s ts 

and,  c o n s e q u e n t l y,  

l e ss   consumption  of  the  expensive  m a t e r i a ls 

( i r i d i u m,   p l a t i n u m,  e t c .)   w h i ch   are  c o n t a i n ed  in  the   c a t a l y s t s. 

-  56  -

8 4.  

The  s p e c i f ic   r e s e a r ch  in   t h is   a r ea   w i ll   c o n c e rn  : 

1) 

The  use  of   z e o l i t es   as  c a t a l y s ts   in n o n - p e t r o c h e m i c al   a p p l i c a t i o n s. 

The  main  f i e ld   of  study   w i ll   be  the   development  of  z e o l i t es   f or 

s h a p e - s e l e c t i ve  

c a t a l y s i s.  

The 

fundamental   knowledge  is   w e ll 

developed 

in   Europe 

but 

r e s e a r ch  

i n to  

a p p l i c a t i o ns  

needs 

s t i m u l a t i o n. 

2) 

Homogeneous  c a t a l y s is   is another   f i e ld   where  good  knowledge  e x i s t s, 

but  where  so  f ar   i n s u f f i c i e nt   work  has  been  done  on  a p p l i c a t i o n s. 

The  advantage  of   homogeneous  c a t a l y s is   is   t h at   h i g h er   s e l e c t i v i ty 

t h at   can  o f t en   be  o b t a i n e d. 

The  r e s e a r ch   w i ll   be  o r i e n t ed   on 

c a t a l y s ts   u s i ng  p a l l a d i um  and  the  n o n - p r e c i o us  m e t a ls  

c o b a l t, 

molydenum,  vanadium  and  manganese  f or   a p p l i c a t i on   in   o x i d a t i on 

r e a c t i o n s. 

3) 

The 

c a t a l y t ic  

p u r i f i c a t i on   of 

i n d u s t r i al  

e l l u e n ts  

is  another 

i m p o r t a nt   s u b j e c t,   in v i ew  of  a b a t i ng  the   a c i d - r a in   problems. 

The 

r e s e a r ch   w i ll   be  o r i e n t ed   to  the   d i s p o s al   of  S 02  and  NO^   gaseous 

e f f l u e n t s. 

8 5.  

Another 

i m p o r t a nt  t r e nd  in   c a t a l y s is   is  the   development 

and 

a p p l i c a t i on   of  i m m o b i l i z ed   enzymes  as  i n d u s t r i al   c a t a l y s t s,   b ut  

t h is 

work  is not  taken  up  in   t h is   programme  because  it is a l r e a dy  c o v e r ed  by 

the  Community  R&D  programme  on  b i o t e c h n o l o g y. 

8 6.  

An  u n d e r s t a n d i ng  of   p a r t i c le   b e h a v i o ur  is  an   e s s e n t i al   element  in 

much  of  the   work  in  the   f i e ld   of  c a t a l y s is   but  it not  proposed  to   l i m it 

work  on 

p a r t i c le  

t e c h n o l o gy 

in  the   programme  to  t he  

c a t a l y t ic 

a s p e c t s.  

P a r t i c le   t e c h n o l o gy  is  of  importance  in   many 

i n d u s t r i al 

s e c t o r s,   e.g.  the  p r o c e ss  and   equipment  s u p p ly   i n d u s t r i e s.  

R e l a t i v e ly 

l i t t le   is  known  of  the  b e h a v i o ur  and   t r a n s p o rt   of  p a r t i c l e s,   w h i ch  leads 

to  a  c o n s i d e r a b le  l o ss   of  m a t e r i a ls   and  energy. 

R e l a t i on   between  the  BTR  Programme  and  o t h er   Community  R&D  Programmes 

8 7.  

G e n e r al  r e s e a r ch   t o p i cs  

d e a lt   w i th  in   s e v e r al   Community 

R&D 

programmes, 

e x i s t i ng  

and 

proposed, 

a re  

a l so  

c o v e r ed 

in  the 

BTR 

programme.  However,  the  v a r y i ng   s p e c i f ic   r e s e a r ch   o b j e c t i v es   of  the  BTR 

and  these  o t h er   programmes  p r o p e r ly  a l l ow  f or  t h e se   t o p i cs   to  be 

commonly  t r e a t ed   and  good  i n t e r n al   c o - o r d i n a t i on   s h o u ld  ensure  b o th   t h at 

-  57  -

u s e l e ss  d u p l i c a t i on  of   e f f o r ts   is  avoided  and  t h at  the   s p e c i f ic   work 

done  on  these  t o p i cs  in  the   d i f f e r e nt   programmes  w i ll   so  f ar  as  p o s s i b le 

be  complementary.  Such  c o - o r d i n a t i on  is  a l r e a dy   w o r k i ng   w e l l,   as  can  be 

seen,  f or   example,  in  the   case  of  c u r r e nt  ceramics  r e s e a r c h.  

Ceramics 

are  t r e a t ed  in  the  raw  m a t e r i a l s,  the   energy  s a v i ng  and  the  JRC  P e t t en 

programmes,  b ut   always  w i th   complementary  r e s e a r ch  o b j e c t i v e s. 

88. 

The  f o l l o w i ng   paragraphs   s et  out  the   l i n ks   between  the  BTR 

p r o­

gramme  and  the  o t h er   Community  R&D  programmes  where  d u p l i c a t i on  of 

e f f o r ts   c o u ld   p o t e n t i a l ly   a r i s e. 

S t i m u l a t i on 

89. 

The 

S t i m u l a t i on   programme 

w i ll  

aim 

at   promoting,  in  v a r i o us 

p r o m i s i ng   d i s c i p l i n e s,   f a i r ly   fundamental  r e s e a r ch   which  is  f ar  ahead  of 

i n d u s t r i al   a p p l i c a t i o n s.   Work  r e l a t ed  to  t h at  in  the  BTR   programme 

c o u ld  be  in  the   f i e l ds   of  c a t a l y s i s,   membranes,  adhesives  and   polymers, 

but  the  S t i m u l a t i on   work  w i ll   address  o n ly  the   fundamental  a s p e c ts  of 

these  t o p i cs  and  

w i ll   not  be   c a r r i ed   out  h a v i ng  

s p e c i f ic  

i n d u s t r i al 

a p p l i c a t i o ns   in   mind. 

The 

l a t t er   o r i e n t a t i on  is  of  course  c e n t r al  to 

the  BTR  programme. 

B i o t e c h n o l o gy 

90. 

B o th  

the 

b i o t e c h n o l o gy 

and 

BTR  

programmes 

i n c l u de   work 

on 

c a t a l y s i s,   b ut  d u p l i c a t i on  of   e f f o r ts   c o u ld   a r i se   r e l a t i ng   o n ly  to 

e n z y m a t ic   c a t a l y s i s.   Knowing  t h at   t h is   s p e c i f ic   t o p ic  is  i n c l u d ed  in 

the 

b i o t e c h n o l o gy   programme,  it   w i ll  

not 

be 

covered 

by 

the 

BTR 

programme. 

It  is  n e v e r t h e l e ss 

i n t e n d ed 

t h at  a  c l o se

l i a i s on  

be 

m a i n t a i n ed   between  the  b i o t e c h n o l o gy   programme  and  those   working  on  the 

c a t a l y s is  

p r o j e c ts 

in 

the 

BTR  

programme 

to  

ensure 

a 

proper 

c r o s s - f e r t i l i z a t i on   of  i d e a s. 

 
-  58  -

Environment 

91. 

The  environment  programme  work  r e l a t i ng   to   c l e an  t e c h n o l o g i es   may 

o v e r l ap   to a   c e r t a in  e x t e nt  w i th   one  a s p e ct   of  the BTR   c a t a l y s is   work, 

i . e.  

c a t a l y t ic   p u r i f i c a t i on   of   i n d u s t r i al   e f f l u e n t s.   The  BTR  work  in 

t h is   f i e ld  w i ll   t h e r e f o re   be  developed  in   c l o se  c o l l a b o r a t i on w i th   the 

environment  programme  in   o r d er   to   g a in  m u t u a l ly   advantageous  r e s e a r ch 

r e s u l t s. 

- 

Energy  s a v i n g,  S t e el   and_Nuclear  r e a c t or  s a f e ty 

92. 

Research  t o p i cs   covered  in  t he  BTR  programme  may   o v e r l ap   to  a 

c e r t a in   e x t e nt  w i th  t o p i cs  d e a lt  w i th   in t he   Energy  s a v i n g,  S t e el   and 

the  N u c l e ar  r e a c t or  s a f e ty   R&D  programmes,  b ut  in  each  of   t h e se   l a t t er 

programmes  the   r e s e a r ch 

o b j e c t i v es   a re   s p e c i f i c a l ly   r e l a t ed   to  the 

o v e r a ll   o b j e c t i ve   of  the   p a r t i c u l ar   programmes,  i . e.   l i m i t ed   to   s o l v i ng 

s p e c i f ic  

p r a c t i c al   problems  r e l a t i ng   to  new  and   a l t e r n a t i ve   energy 

s o u r c e s,   s t e el   p r o d u c t i on   and  n u c l e ar  r e a c t or  c o n s t r u c t i on  r e s p e c t i v e l y. 

The  BTR  work  is  b r o a d ly   aimed  at   expanding  t he  b a s ic   knowledge on   these 

t o p i cs   f or  p o t e n t i al  wide  i n d u s t r i al   a p p l i c a t i o n. 

Raw_materials 

93. 

The 

s u b s t i t u t i on   subprogramme 

in  the   p r e s e nt  

raw 

m a t e r i a ls 

programme 

c o u ld 

i n v o l ve 

o v e r l ap 

w i th   BTR  work  in  t he   a r e as   of 

s u b s t i t u t i on   of   m a t e r i a ls   used  in   s u r f a ce   t r e a t m e nt   and  c o a t i n gs   (wear 

r e s i s t a nt   and  c o r r o s i on  r e s i s t a nt  c o a t i n g s)   and,  to a   l e s s er  e x t e n t,   in 

s u b s t i t u t i on   in  c u t t i ng  and m a c h i n i ng   t o o l s. 

9 4.  

However,  t he  aim  of  work  in   t h e se   a r e as   in  the  raw   m a t e r i a ls 

programme  concerns  the  use  of   d i f f e r e nt   raw  m a t e r i a ls   w h i ch   a re   l e ss 

c o s t ly   and  if   p o s s i b le   more  r e a d i ly  a v a i l a b l e,  w h i le   in  t he  BTR 

programme  the  major  aim  is  g e n e r a l ly   the  improvement  of   p r o p e r t i es   and 

t e c h n i q u es   in  t h is  

f i e l d. 

-  59 -

E s p r it 

95. 

A l t h o u gh   b o th   in t he  E s p r it  programme and in t he BTR  programme work 

w i ll   be done  on CAD/CAM,  t h e re   w i ll   be no  o v e r l ap   as t he BTR  work  w i ll 

be  e x c l u s i v e ly  l i m i t ed   to t he  a p p l i c a t i on   of t he CAD/CAM   concepts to 

more  s i m p le  a p p l i c a t i o ns  in t he  c o n v e n t i o n al  i n d u s t r i e s. 

COST 

96. 

There  a re  s e v e r al   COST  a c t i v i t i es   w h i ch   d e al  w i th   items  of t he BTR 

programme,  namely  c o r r o s i on   in t he   c o n s t r u c t i on  i n d u s t ry   (COST 5 0 2 ), 

powder  m e t a l l u r gy   (COST  503) and   m a t e r i a ls   f or  steam  t u r b i n es   (COST 

505). 

C o - o r d i n a t i on  

w i ll   be  ensured  w i t h in   t he   framework  of t he 

Research  A c t i on   Programme. 

J o i nt   R e s e a r c h _ C e n t re 

97. 

The  J o i nt   R e s e a r ch   C e n t re   a c t i v i t i es   in t he   f i e l ds   of  m a t e r i a ls 

s c i e n ce   ( in  p a r t i c u l ar  h i gh   temperature  m a t e r i a l s)   and  in   m a t e r i a ls 

t e s t i ng   c an  c o n t r i b u te  c o n s i d e r a b ly   to t he  success  of t he BTR  programme. 

98. 

In   g e n e r a l,   a l t h o u gh   t h e re   is an   o v e r l ap   between  t he  d i f f e r e nt 

Community  R&D  programmes,  t he   r e s e a r ch 

o b j e c t i v es   of  t he   v a r i o us 

programmes a re  q u i te  d i f f e r e n t;  t he BTR   o b j e c t i v es  b e i ng  g e n e r a l ly   wider 

and  more  i n d u s t r y - o r i e n t ed   than  those  of  most  of t he  other  programmes. 

A  c a r e f ul   exchange  of   i n f o r m a t i on  should  a v o id   unnecessary  d u p l i c a t i on 

of  work  o r,   what  would  be  worse,  t he  r e f u s al   of a   good  p r o p o s al   under 

any  of  t he   p o s s i b le   programmes  on  t he   assumption  t h at   it  w i ll   be 

a c c e p t ed  under  a n o t h e r.   E x p e r i e n ce  has shown  t h at   such  c o - o r d i n a t i on  is 

p o s s i b le   and  t he   i n t r o d u c t i on   of  t he   A c t i on   Programme  concept 

w i ll 

f u r t h er   improve  t he  s i t u a t i on  in  t h is   r e s p e c t. 

-  60  -

V I I.   Funding  of t he programme  and   s t a f f i ng   needs 

99. 

The  f u n d i ng  e s t i m a t ed   to be  needed f or t he  v a r i o us  sub-areas   is the 

minimum  c o n s i d e r ed  n e c e s s a ry   to   r a i se   t he   l e v el   of   r e s e a r ch  throughout 

the  Community  to  t he   p o i nt   where  it  is  above  

s u b - c r i t i c al   and 

consequently 

w i ll   make  a  u s e f ul   and 

s i g n i f i c a nt  

impact 

on  the 

t e c h n o l o g i es   concerned. 

P a rt   of  t he   f u n d i ng   (15  MioECU) 

w i ll   not 

i n i t i a l ly   be  a l l o c a t ed   to a   s p e c i f ic   a r e a.   The  e x p r e s s i o ns   of   i n t e r e st 

w i ll   h e lp  p r o v i de   a  c l e ar   i n d i c a t i on   on  t he  p r i o r i ty   p r o j e c ts w i t h in  the 

v a r i o us   sub-areas  and  t h e ir   c o s t s,   and  on  t he   consequent  most  u s e f ul 

a l l o c a t i on   of   r e s o u r c e s. 

100. 

The  programme  proposed  is f or a   f o u r - y e ar  p e r i od   b ut  it is   c l e ar 

t h at   w h i le   c e r t a in   of  t he   r e s e a r ch  o b j e c t i v es   can  be   reached  w i t h in   4 

y e a r s,  o t h e rs   can  o n ly   be  reached  in a   g r e a t er  p e r i o d.   The  i n t e n t i on 

t h e r e f o re   is  t h at   the programme   w i ll   assume  t he  form  of a   4-year  r o l l i ng 

programme  w i th   a  r e v i ew   and  m o d i f i c a t i o ns  of t he programme  at t he end of 

each  y e a r. 

101. 

C o n t r a c ts  p l a c ed   f o l l o w i ng   t he   f i r st   f o r m al   c a ll   f or  p r o p o s a ls   w i ll 

commit  a p p r o x i m a t e ly   h a lf   t he   t o t al   Community  funds  e s t i m a t ed   to  be 

r e q u i r e d.   The  r e m a i n i ng   h a lf   w i ll   be  h e ld   in  r e s e r ve   to be   used  as and 

when  n e c e s s a ry   to   supplement  t he   f u n d i ng   of  p r o j e c ts   w h i ch   a re   showing 

p a r t i c u l ar   promise  and  to   support  t he  c o n t r a c ts   to be   p l a c ed   f o l l o w i ng   a 

second  c a ll   f or  p r o p o s a ls   to be   i s s u ed   a f t er   a  mid-term  r e v i ew   of the 

programme. 

102. 

The  p r o j e c t ed   t o t al   c o st   of  t he  programme  is   e s t i m a t ed   at  270 

MioECU  w i th   an  a p p r o x i m a t e ly   50%  Community  c o n t r i b u t i o n.   The  Community 

f u n d i ng   proposed  f or  each  of t he  s e l e c t ed  r e s e a r ch  a r e as   is as   f o l l o ws  : 

1) 

R e l i a b i l i t y,   wear  and   d e t e r i o r a t i on  

2) 

S u r f a ce  s c i e n ce   and  t e c h n o l o gy  

20  MioECU 

10 MioECU 

3) 

L a s er  t e c h n o l o gy  a p p l i c a t i o ns t o g e t h er 

w i th   o t h er   new  methods  of  m e t al  s h a p i ng 

and  f o r m i ng  

15 MioECU 

-  61  -

4) 

5) 

6) 

7) 

8) 

9) 

J o i n i ng   t e c h n i q u es 

10  MioECU 

New  t e s t i ng   methods,  i n c l u d i ng   non­

d e s t r u c t i ve   t e s t i n g,   o n - l i ne   t e s t i ng 

and  computer-aided  

t e s t i ng 

CAD/CAM  and  m a t h e m a t i c al   models 

P o l y m e r s,  composites  and  o t h er  new 

m a t e r i a ls 

Membrane  s c i e n ce  and  t e c h n o l o gy 

C a t a l y s is   and  p a r t i c le   t e c h n o l o gy 

Not  a l l o c a t ed 

15  MioECU 

10  MioECU 

20  MioECU 

10  MioECU 

10  MioECU 

15  MioECU 

T o t al  

135  MioECU 

Commission  s t a f f i ng   needs 

103. 

In  c o n s i d e r i ng  t he   s t a f f i ng   needs,  it  s h o u ld  be  noted  t h at   t h is   is 

a  new  programme w h i ch   does  not  r e p l a ce  or  c o n t i n ue  an   e x i s t i ng   programme 

and  t h at  it   does  n o t,  t h e r e f o r e,  have  a  n u c l e us  of   e x i s t i ng   permanent 

s t a ff   to   b u i ld   on. 

The  Commission  f o r e s e es  a   need  to   engage  a  minimum 

of  26  persons  in  o r d er  to   manage  t h is   programme  a p p r o p r i a t e l y.  T h is 

f i g u re   is  c o n s i d e r ed  a   minimum  as  it  would  p r o v i de  o n ly  f or  the   s t a ff 

a b le  to  c o v er  the   s c i e n t i f ic   d i s c i p l i n es   and  t e c h n i c al   needs  of  the 

a b o v e - o u t l i n ed   main  a r e as  of  r e s e a r c h.  The  c o n t r a c ts   w i ll   n o r m a l ly 

be 

s h o r t - t e r m,  i . e. at  the   maximum  o n ly  c o v e r i ng  the   span  of  the   programme 

to  ensure  an  u p - t o - d a te  

t e c h n i c al   knowledge  of  the  e x p e r ts  who, 

in 

p r i n c i p l e,   w i ll   be  expected  to  r e t u rn  to   t h e ir   c o u n t r i es  of   o r i g in   at 

the  c o n c l u s i on  of   t h e ir   c o n t r a c t s.  The   s p e c i f ic  s t a f f i ng   needs  are  as 

f o l l o ws   : 

A 

Grade  -

15 

(two  persons  f or   each  of  the   f i ve   l a r g e st   r e s e a r ch 

a r e a s,  one  p e r s on  f or   each  of  the  remaining  f o ur 

a r e a s,  p l us  one 

person 

r e s p o n s i b le  f or  c o n t r a ct 

n e g o t i a t i o n,   e t c .) 

( s u p p o rt   s t a ff   in  normal  r a t io   to  A  grade  s t a f f) 

B 

Grade  -

3 

C 

Grade  -

T o t al 

26 

- 62 -

V I I I.  

General 

104. 

The  o b j e c t i ve   of   t h is   programme  is   above  a ll to   s t i m u l a te 

c o o p e r a t i ve  b a s ic  t e c h n o l o g i c al r e s e a r ch   on a  s c a le   s u f f i c i e nt   to   impact 

European  i n d u s t r i al   c o m p e t i t i v e n e s s. 

T h is  o b j e c t i ve   must  be  kept  in 

mind  and  dominate 

d e c i s i o n - t a k i ng   throughout  a ll   stages  of  the 

programme.  Research  p r o p o s a ls   of   academic  i n t e r e st   but  which  do not 

i d e n t i fy   p o t e n t i al   important  or   wide-ranging 

i n d u s t r i al   a p p l i c a t i o ns 

w i ll   be r e j e c t e d. 

105. 

It  must  be   u n d e r l i n ed  t h at   the  encouragement  of   t e c h n o l o g i c al 

r e s e a r ch   cannot  a l o ne  accomplish   the improvement  of Community   i n d u s t r i al 

c o m p e t i t i v i t y . 

T e c h n o l o g i c al  r e s e a r ch   is  o n ly   one  f a c t or   amongst the 

many  which  go  i n to   c r e a t i ng  a  c o m p e t i t i ve  i n d u s t r y,   and BTR  can  only  be 

e f f e c t i ve   if the   r i g ht   i n d u s t r i a l,   economic  and  s o c i al   environment  is 

developed  at  the  same   time.  But  it is t he  view  of  the  Commission  that 

promotion  of BTR  and   e s p e c i a l ly   on  a  c o o p e r a t i ve   Community  b a s i s,   is a 

necessary 

c o n d i t i on   f or  Community  

i n d u s t r i al   r e c o v e r y.  

Without  an 

i n j e c t i on   of the new   t e c h n o l o g i es   which  BTR  can  d e v e l o p,   many  Community 

i n d u s t r i es   a l r e a dy  f a c i ng  severe   problems  p a r t i c u l a r ly   from  US  and 

Japanese  c o m p e t i t i on   may  not s u r v i ve   in the  s h o r t e r - t e r m,   and i n d u s t r i es 

now  a p p a r e n t ly  doing  w e ll   may  not  s u r v i ve   in the   l o n g e r - t e r m.   The  new 

t e c h n o l o g i es   themselves  and  access  to  them  by   i n n o v a t i ve  f i r m s,  s m a l l, 

medium  and  l a r g e,   may  a l so  h e lp  p r o v i de   a  s t i m u l us   to  the   g r e a t er 

e n t e r p r i se   and  g r e a t er   p r o f i t a b i l i ty   which  a re  n e c e s s a ry   f or the  growth 

and  c o n t i n u i ng  h e a l th   of Community   i n d u s t r y. 

106. 

I n d u s t ry   has  a s s i s t ed  g r e a t ly   in  the   s e l e c t i on   of  the   r e s e a r ch 

t o p i c s,   but  r e s e a r ch  p r o p o s a ls  

w i ll   be  supported 

o n ly   if   i n d u s t ry 

commits 

i t s e lf   by  means  of   s i g n i f i c a nt  

f i n a n c i al   p a r t i c i p a t i o n,   by 

c o n t r i b u t i ng   on-going  a d v i ce  c o n c e r n i ng   the management  of the programme 

and  by  demonstrating  g e n e r a l ly   a  c o n t i n u i ng   i n t e r e st   in the   success  of 

the  programme.  The  Commission  w i ll   l o ok   p a r t i c u l a r ly   at   i n d u s t r y 's 

w i l l i n g n e ss   to   c a r ry   on  the work   w i th  p u r e ly  p r i v a te   funds  and  in a 

c o m p e t i t i ve   s p i r it   once  the  p r e - c o m p e t i t i ve   work  of  the programme  has 

been  completed. 

-  63  -

P r o p o s al   f or a 

COUNCIL  DECISION 

adopting  a  m u l t i a n n u al  r e s e a r ch   and  d e v e l o p m e nt   programme  of  t he   European 

Economic  Community  in t he   f i e ld   of   b a s ic  t e c h n o l o g i c al  r e s e a r ch 

The  C o u n c il   of  t he   E u r o p e an  C o m m u n i t i e s, 

Having  r e g a rd   to  t he   T r e a ty   e s t a b l i s h i ng   t he   European  Economic   Community, 

and  in  p a r t i c u l ar   A r t i c le   235  t h e r e o f, 

Having  r e g a rd   to  t he   p r o p o s al   f r om   t he   C o m m i s s i o n, 

Having  r e g a rd   to  t he   o p i n i on   of  t he   European  P a r l i a m e n t, 

Having  r e g a rd   to  t he   o p i n i on   of  t he   Economic  and  S o c i al   Committee, 

Whereas  A r t i c le   2  of  t he   T r e a ty  a s s i g ns   to  t he  Community  t he   t a sk   i n t er  

a l ia 

of  p r o m o t i ng  t h r o u g h o ut  t he  Community  a   h a r m o n i o us  development   of   economic 

a c t i v i t i e s,   a  c o n t i n u o us   and  b a l a n c ed  e x p a n s i on   and  an   a c c e l e r a t ed   r a i s i ng 

of  the  s t a n d a rd   of  

l i v i n g; 

Whereas  b a s ic  t e c h n o l o g i c al  r e s e a r ch  c o n t r i b u t es   to t he   a t t a i n m e nt   of   t h e se 

o b j e c t i v es   and  is  o r i e n t ed   t o w a r ds   t he needs  of   many  i n d u s t r i al   b r a n c h es   of 

economic  i m p o r t a n ce  to  t he  Community; 

yher°as  o r o m o t i on  of   E u r o p e an   i n d u s t r i al   c o m p e t i t i v e n e ss   is one  of  t he 
najor  g o a ls   of  t he  Framework  Programme; 

i 

(5) 

-  64  -

Whereas  a  g r o u p i ng   of   i n d i r e ct  and  c o n c e r t ed  a c t i o ns   in t he   f i e ld   of   b a s ic 

t e c h n o l o gy   would  c o n t r i b u te   t o w a r ds   m e e t i ng   t h is  o b j e c t i v e; 

Whereas  t he   R e s e a r ch   A c t i on   Programme  I n d u s t r i al  T e c h n o l o g i es 

i n c l u d es   a 

number  of   r e s e a r ch   programmes  of   v a l ue   to   European  i n d u s t ry   b ut  does  not 

y et  i n c l u de   a  programme  of   m u l t i s e c t o r a l, m u l t i d i s c i p l i n a ry b a s ic  t e c h n o l­

o g i c al  

r e s e a r c h; 

Whereas  t he   T r e a ty   does  not   p r o v i de   t he   s p e c i f ic  powers  of   a c t i o ns  r e q u i r ed 

f or   t h o se   e n d s, 

HAS  DECIDED  AS  FOLLOWS: 

A r t i c le   1 

1)  A  programme  of   r e s e a r ch   and  d e v e l o p m e nt   of  t he   E u r o p e an   Economic  Community 

in   t he   f i e ld   of   b a s ic  t e c h n o l o gy   as  d e s c r i b ed   in t he  Annex  is   h e r e by 

a d o p t ed   f or a   p e r i od   of   f o ur  y e a rs   commencing  on  t he   d a te   when  t h is  D e c i s i on 

is   p u b l i s h ed   in t he   O f f i c i al   J o u r n al   of  t he   E u r o p e an   C o m m u n i t i e s. 

2)  The  programme   i n c l u d es   work  c a r r i ed   o ut  as   c o n t r a ct  r e s e a r ch   and  as 

c o n c e r t ed 

a c t i o n. 

The  work   w i ll   be  c a r r i ed   o ut  by  means  of   s h a r ed  c o st  c o n t r a c ts   to  be   p l a c ed 

w i th  a p p r o p r i a te  

i n d u s t r i al   o r g a n i z a t i o n s,  r e s e a r ch  l a b o r a t o r i es   or   u n i v e r s i ty 

i n s t i t u t es   or   c o m b i n a t i o ns   of  them. 

The  c o n c e r t ed  a c t i o ns  c o n s i st   of  t he   c o - o r d i n a t i on   at  Community   l e v el   of 

r e s e a r ch  

a c t i v i t i es   w h i ch   a re   p a rt   of   e x i s t i ng  r e s e a r ch   programmes  in t he 

Member  S t a t es   a n d,  where   a p p l i c a b l e,   of  t he  Community. 

P r i o r i ty   s h a ll   be  g i v en   to   p r o j e c ts  c a r r i ed   o ut  by   p a r t i c i p a n ts   f r om  more  than on 
Member  S t a t e,  

at   l e a st   one  of  them   b e i ng   an  i n d u s t r i al   o r g a n i z a t i o n. 

A r t i c le   2 

The  a p p r o p r i a t i o ns  n e c e s s a ry   f or t he   i m p l e m e n t a t i on   of  t he programme,  t he 

amount  of   w h i ch   is  e s t i m a t ed   to be  135   m i l l i on  ECU,  i n c l u d i ng 

e x p e n d i t u re 

on  a  s t a ff   of  26,   s h a ll   be  e n t e r ed   in t he   budget  of  t he   E u r o p e an 

C o m m u n i t i e s.  

The  f i g u r es   a re   g i v en   m e r e ly   by  way  of  i n d i c a t i o n. 

-  65 -

A r t i c le   3 

The  programme  s h a ll   be  r e v i e w ed 

d u r i ng  i ts   s e c o nd   y e a r.  

Such  r e v i ew   may 

Lead,  in  a c c o r d a n ce   w i th   t he  a p p r o p r i a te  p r o c e d u r e,   to a   r e v i s i on  of t he 

programme  to   t a ke  e f f e ct  d u r i ng   t he  t h i rd  

y e a r. 

A r t i c le   4 

The  Commission  s h a ll   be  r e s p o n s i b le   f or t he  e x e c u t i on   of t he  programme  w i th 

regard  to t he  c o n t r a ct  r e s e a r ch   and  s h a ll   be  r e s p o n s i b le   f or t he   c o - o r d i n a t i on 

with  r e g a rd   to   c o n c e r t ed 

a c t i o n s. 

It  shall  d e c i d e,   in t he  framework  of t he  programme,  on  t he  d e t a i l ed 

i m p l e m e n t a t i o n, 

p a r t i c u l a r ly c o n c e r n i ng   t he  breakdown  of t he  work  between 

contract  r e s e a r ch   and  c o n c e r t ed  a c t i o n s,   and t he   l a u n c h i ng   of   c o n c e r t ed 

a c t i o n s. 

A r t i c le   5 

The  Commission  w i ll   be  a s s i s t ed   in t he  t a s ks  
Management  and Consultât!ve  Committee  ( I n d u s t r i al T e c h n o l o g i e s)   (CGC) 

l i s t ed   in  A r t i c le   4 by t he 

created  by  C o u n c il  D e c i s i on   ... 

A r t i c le   6 

With  r e g a rd   to t he  c o n c e r t ed  a c t i o ns   in  a c c o r d a n ce   w i th   a  p r o c e d u re   to be 

Laid  down  by  t he  C o m m i s s i o n,   a f t er  c o n s u l t i ng   t he   CGC  t he   p a r t i c i p a t i ng 

Member  S t a t es   and t he  Community  s h a ll   r e g u l a r ly   exchange  a ll  u s e f ul 

i n f o r m a t i on  c o n c e r n i ng   t he  e x e c u t i on   of t he  r e s e a r ch  c o v e r ed   by  such 

a c t i v i t i e s. 

The  p a r t i c i p a t i ng  Member  S t a t es   s h a ll   p r o v i de   t he  Commission  w i th  a ll 

i n f o r m a t i on  r e l e v a nt   f or  c o - o r d i n a t i on   p u r p o s e s.  

They  s h a ll   a l so   endeavour 

to  p r o v i de   t he  Commission  w i th  i n f o r m a t i on   on  s i m i l a r r e s e a r ch   p l a n n ed   or 

c a r r i ed   o ut by   b o d i es   which  a re n ot  under  t h e ir  a u t h o r i t y. 

Any  i n f o r m a t i on   s h a ll   be  t r e a t ed   as  c o n f i d e n t i al  if so   r e q u e s t ed   by t he 

Member  S t a te   w h i ch   p r o v i d es  i t. 

-  66  -

ANNEX 

The  programme  i n c l u d es   work  in t he   f o l l o w i ng  n i ne   p r i n c i p al   r e s e a r ch 

a r e as   : 

1.  R e l i a b i l i t y,   wear  and d e t e r i o r a t i on 

i n c l u d i ng   in   p a r t i c u l a r, 

(a)  Methods  f or  s e r v i ce   l i fe   p r e d i c t i on  and t he  a s s e s s m e nt   of   d e f e c ts 

in   e n g i n e e r i ng  m a t e r i a l s,  components  and  a s s e m b l i e s. 

(b)  Wear  r e s i s t a n ce  of   m a t e r i a ls   f or use  in  a b r a s i v e,  e r o s i ve   and  c o r r o­

s i ve   media  and  under  o t h er  a d v e r se  c o n d i t i o ns   and  t r i b o l o g i c al   f a c­

t o rs   concerned  w i th   t he   f o r m i ng   and  m a c h i n i ng   of   m a t e r i a l s. 

(c)  Improved  b e a r i ng  m a t e r i a ls   and  s y s t e ms   in  r e s p e ct   of  f a t i g u e, 

s e i z u re   and  c a v i t a t i on  damage. 

(d)  F r a c t u re   m e c h a n i cs  in  e n g i n e e r i ng  m a t e r i a ls   and  components,  i n c l u­

d i ng  u n s t a b le  f r a c t u r e, f a t i g u e , c r e ep   and  t he  e f f e ct  of   c o r r o s i on 

on  u n s t a b le   and  f a t i g ue  f r a c t u re  . 

(e)  F a t i g ue   of   e n g i n e e r i ng  m a t e r i a ls   and  components  as  f o n c t i o ns  of 

t he  a p p l i ed   c y c l ic   s t r e s s e s,  t he   c o m p o s i t i on   of t he   m a t e r i a ls 

and  t he  t r e a t m e nt   and  q u a l i ty  of   p r o d u c t i on  p r o c e s s.   The  r e l a t i o n­

s h ip   of   m a t e r i a ls   c h a r a c t e r i s t i cs   to   f a t i g ue  d e s i gn 

b e h a v i o u r. 

( f)   C o r r o s i on  r e s i s t a n ce  and  c o r r o s i on  p r o t e c t i on  of   e n g i n e e r i ng   ma­

t e r i a ls   and  components  in a g g r e s s i ve   media  and  o t h er  a d v e r se 

c o n­

d i t i o ns   and  h y d r o g e n - e m b r i t t l e m e nt 

r e l a t ed  to   c o r r o s i on  p r o c e s s e s. 

(g)  M i c r o b i o l o g i c al d e t e r i o r a t i on  of   e n g i n e e r i ng  m a t e r i a l s. 

(h)  B i o c o m p a t i b i l i ty  of   m a t e r i a ls   f or use  in  i m p l a n ts   and  t he   r e p l a c e­

ment  of   o r g a n s. 

2.  S u r f a ce  s c i e n ce   and  t e c h n o l o gy 

i n c l u d i ng   in   p a r t i c u l a r, 

(a)  S u r f a ce  t r e a t m e nt   and  p r o t e c t i ve  c o a t i ng  t e c h n o l o gy   to   m o d i fy   t he 

p h y s i c al   and  m e c h a n i c al  p r o p e r t i es   of   m a t e r i a l s,  components  and 

a s s e m b l i e s. 

(b)  P r o d u c t i on   l i ne   u t i l i z a t i on   of   p r o c e s s es  a v a i l a b le  on  a  l a b o r a t o ry 

s c a l e. 

(c)  S u r f a ce  p r o p e r t i es   and  phenomena  at  i n t e r f a c e s. 

-  67  -

3.  L a s er  t e c h n o l o gy   and  i ts a p p l i c a t i o ns  and  o t h er   new  methods of  

m e t al  s h a p i ng   and  f o r m i ng 

i n c l u d i ng   in   p a r t i c u l a r, 

(a)  Development  and  u se of   h i gh   power  l a s e rs  f or  m a t e r i a ls  p r o c e s s i n g, 

i n c l u d i ng   t he   i n t e r a c t i on   of   l a s er   beams  w i th  m a t e r i a l s. 

(b)  S a f e ty   and  w o r k p r o c e d u r es   f or t he  p r o d u c t i o n - l i ne  use of   l a s e r s. 

(c)  Near-net  shape  m a n u f a c t u r i ng  t e c h n o l o g y,   in  p a r t i c u l ar   powder 

m e t a l l u r g y. 

4.  J o i n i ng  t e c h n i q u es 

i n c l u d i ng   in   p a r t i c u l a r, 

(a)  New  or   improved  w e l d i ng  t e c h n i q u e s,  i n c l u d i ng e l e c t r on  beam^dif-

f u s i on   and  f r i c t i on   w e l d i n g. 

(b)  Low-cost  a u t o m a t ed   w e l d i n g,  i n c l u d i ng s e n s o rs   and  a d a p t i ve  c o n t r ol 

s y s t e m s. 

(c)  New  or   improved  a d h e s i ve   ,  s o l d e r i ng  and  b r a z i ng  t e c h n i q u es   and 

t h e ir   a d a p t a t i on   f or use  in mass   p r o d u c t i o n.  J o i n i ng  of new  and 

d i s s i m i l ar   m a t e r i a l s. 

5. New  t e s t i ng   methods  i n c l u d i ng n o n - d e s t r u c t i ve   t e s t i n g,   o n - l i ne   t e s t i ng   

and  c o m p u t e r - a i d ed  

t e s t i ng 

i n c l u d i ng   in   p a r t i c u l a r, 

(a)  F u n c t i o n - r e l a t ed t e c h n i q u es   f or t he  measurement  and  t e s t i ng   of 

m a t e r i al   d e t e r i o r a t i on  p r o c e s s e s,  i n c l u d i ng c o r r o s i o n,  wear, 

f r a c t u re   and  c r a c k - i n i t i a t i ng   p r o c e s s e s,   and  b i o l o g i c a l ly   i n d u­

ced  damage. 

(b)  N o n - d e s t r u c t i ve   t e s t i ng   t e c h n i q u es   f or t he  e x a m i n a t i o n,  d e t e c t i on 

and  p r e s e n t a t i on  of   d e f e c ts   and  s t r e s s es   in  m a t e r i a l s,  components 
and  a s s e m b l i e s. 

(c)  C o m p u t e r - a i d ed  

t e s t i ng   t e c h n i q u es   and  s y s t e m s,   p a r t i c u l a r ly   w i th 

a  v i ew   to use  in  c o m p u t e r - i n t e g r a t ed 

m a n u f a c t u r e. 

(d)  T e s t i ng   methods  f or  m a t e r i a l s,  components  and  a s s e m b l i es   under 

s e r v i ce   s t r e s s es  i n c l u d i ng s i m u l a t i o n. 

-  68 -

6.  CAD/CAM  and m a t h e m a t i c al   models 

i n c l u d i ng   in  p a r t i c u l a r, 

(a)  CAD/CAM  t e c h n i q u es   f or  p r o d u c t i on  

p r o c e s s es   in   n o n - e l e c t r o n ic 

m a n u f a c t u r i ng   i n d u s t r i e s,   in  p a r t i c u l ar   l o w - c o st   t e c h n i q u es 

f or   s m a ll   and m e d i u m - s i z ed   e n t e r p r i s es  

(SMEs). 

(b)  M a t h e m a t i c al   m o d e l l i ng   of   p r o d u c t i on  

p r o c e s s es   and phenomena 

i n c l u d i ng   m o d e l l i ng   r e l a t ed   to   f l e x i b le   m a n u f a c t u r i ng   s y s t e ms 

s u i t a b le  f or   SMEs. 

7.  P o l y m e r s,   c o m p o s i t es   and o t h er   new 

m a t e r i a ls 

i n c l u d i ng   in  p a r t i c u l a r, 

(a)  P o l y m e rs   and c o m p o s i t es   w i th  s p e c i al   and i m p r o v ed   p h y s i c al   and 

m e c h a n i c al   p r o p e r t i es   and  s t a b i l i ty   f or   w i d er   a p p l i c a t i o ns   in 
e n g i n e e r i n g y m e d i c al   and a g r i c u l t u r al  a p p l i c a t i o n s. 

(b)  C o s t - e f f e c t i ve  p r o d u c t i on   and  c o n v e r s i on   and  j o i n i ng   t e c h n i q u es 

f or   p o l y m e rs   and  c o m p o s i t e s. 

(c)  Bonding  mechanismes  and  i n t e r a c t i o ns   at  component  i n t e r f a c es   of 

c o m p o s i t e s. 

(d)  M a t e r i a ls  w i th  s p e c i al   e l e c t r i c a l,   m a g n e t ic   and  o p t o - e l e c t r o n ic 

p r o p e r t i es 

f or   u se in  v a r i o us 

e n g i n e e r i ng 

a p p l i c a t i o n s. 

N.B.:  S p e c i a l i st  a p p l i c a t i o ns   of  c o m p o s i te   m a t e r i a ls   in 

p a r t i c u l ar   f or   t he  t r a n s p o rt 

i n d u s t r i es   a re to be 

c o v e r ed   by a  f u r t h er   programme  on  a d v a n c ed 

m a t e r i a l s. 

8.  Membrane  s c i e n ce   and t e c h n o l o gy   and p r o b l e ms   in   e l e c t r o c h e m i s t ry 

i n c l u d i ng   in  p a r t i c u l a r, 

(a)  A p p l i c a t i on   of  membranes  in  c o n t i n u o us   s e p a r a t i on  

p r o c e s s e s, 

in   p a r t i c u l ar   t he  a p p l i c a t i on   of   r e v e r se   o s m o s i s,  

u l t r a f i l t r a­

t i o n,   m i c r o f i I t r a t i on   and  d i a l y s is   f or   p r o c e ss   s t r e a m s. 

(b)  I n d u s t r i al  a p p l i c a t i o ns   of gas  s e p a r a t i on   by membranes  i n c l u d i ng 

oxygen  e n r i c h m e nt   of   a i r,  s e p a r a t i on   of   a c id   gas components in 

e x h a u st   g a s s es   and n a t u r al   g a s,  s e p a r a t i on   in  n a t u r al   gas and 

i n d u s t r i al   p r o c e ss   g a s e s. 

-  69  -

(c)  S e p a r a t i on   of   L i q u id   m i x t u r es   by  p e r v a p o r a t i on   i n c l u d i ng   r e­

moval  of   water  from  o r g a n ic   l i q u i d s,   s e p a r a t i on   of   a r o m a t i c/ 

a l i f a t ic  

l i q u id   m i x t u r es   and  removal  of   o r g a n ic   components 

from 

w a t e r. 

(d)  New  membrane  m a t e r i a ls   i n c l u d i ng   c e r a m ic   m a t e r i a l s,   f or   i n d u s­

t r i al   and  m e d i c al  

a p p l i c a t i o n s. 

(e)  F o u l i ng   and  p r e v e n t i on  

of   f o u l i ng   of  membranes. 

( f)   I r r e v e r s i b le   phenomena  of   a n o d ic   systems  in  e l e c t r o w i n n i ng  of 

n o n - f e r r o us 

m e t a l s. 

(g)  Fused  s a lt  e l e c t r o l y s is   t e c h n o l o gy   f or t he  n o n - f e r r o us  m e t a l l u r gy 

i n d u s t r y. 

9.  C a t a l y s is   and  p a r t i c le   t e c h n o l o gy 

i n c l u d i ng   in   p a r t i c u l a r, 

(a)  Z e o l i t es   as  c a t a l y s ts   in  o r g a n ic  c h e m i c a ls   i n d u s t r y, 

i n c l u d i ng 

t h e ir   p r o d u c t i o n,  c h a r a c t e r i z a t i on   and  s h a p i ng   arid  a p p l i c a t i o n,  in 

s h a p e - s e l e c t i ve   c a t a l y s i s. 

(b)  I n d u s t r i al   homogeneous  c a t a l y s i s,   in  p a r t i c u l ar   f or   o x i d a t i on 

r e a c t i o n s. 

(c)  C a t a l y t ic  p u r i f i c a t i on  of   i n d u s t r i al  e f f l u e n t s,  i n c l u d i ng   SC>2 

and  N 0x  

d i s p o s a l. 

(d)  P a r t i c le   t e c h n o l o gy   in  p a r t i c u l a r,   t he  m a n u f a c t u re  of   p a r t i c l e s, 

p a r t i c le   c o n t a m i n a t i on   and  equipment  d e s i g n. 

-  70 -

ANNEX  I II 

APPLICATION  OF  NEW  TECHNOLOGIES  (CLOTHING  MANUFACTURE) 

PROGRAMME  PROPOSAL 

I.   I n t r o d u c t i on 

1.  E n s u r i ng   t he  c o m p e t i t i v i ty  of   Community  i n d u s t ry   depends  in   g r e at 

p a rt   on t he  development  of t he  b a s ic  t e c h n o l o g i es  d e s c r i b ed  in 

Annex  I I.   These  t e c h n o l o g i es   w i ll   p r o v i de   an  i m p o r t a nt   base  upon 

which  i n d u s t ry   can d e v e l op   t he new   p r o d u c ts   and  p r o c e s s es   f or   which 

t he   market  is   l i k e ly   to  d e v e l op  d u r i ng   t he  c o u r se   of t he  n e xt   decade 

and  p r o b a b ly   beyond  to t he end of t he  c e n t u r y.   But  i n d u s t r i al   compe­

t i t i v e n e ss   a l so   depends  on t he  a b i l i ty   of   i n d i v i d u al   f i r ms   and i n­

d u s t r i es   s u c c e s s f u l ly  to  a p p ly   new  t e c h n o l o g i es  d e r i v i ng  from  o t h er 

s e c t o rs   to   t h e ir   s p e c i f ic   m a n u f a c t u r i n g,   needs  in  such  a  way  t h at 

it   can be   used  e f f e c t i v e ly   a l so   by  SMES. 

2.  Compared  w i th  o t h er   i n d u s t r i a l i z ed   c o u n t r i e s,  t he  b r i n g i ng  t o g e t h er   of 

t e c h n o l o g i es  d e r i v i ng  from   d i f f e r e nt   s e c t o rs   f or t he  b e n e f it   of a 

s i n g le   s e c t or   is  l a g g i ng  b e h i nd   in  Europe  c e r t a i n ly   where  c r o s s-

f r o n t i er   c o o p e r a t i on   is  c o n c e r n e d.  

Such  c o o p e r a t i o n,   however,  is 

e s s e n t i al   if   o p t i m al  b e n e f it   of t he  t e c h n o l o g i c al  p o t e n t i al  of   Europe 

is   to be   e n s u r e d.  

E f f o r ts   must  be  d i r e c t ed   t o w a r ds   t h o se  a r e as   of 

Community  m a n u f a c t u r i ng 

i n d u s t ry  t h at   have  t he  p o t e n t i al  to be   t r a n s­

formed  by  i n j e c t i on   of   h i gh  t e c h n o l o gy   and  c o u ld  t h en   be  a b le   to 

meet  f o r e i gn  c o m p e t i t i on  w i t h o ut  p r o t e c t i ve   measures. 

3.  The ways and   p o s s i b i l i t i es   to  s t i m u l a te  such  c r o s s - s e c t or   and  c r o s s-

f r o n t i er   c o o p e r a t i on   in t he  p r e - c o m p e t i t i ve  s t a ge   can o n ly   be  a s s e s s ed 

by  u n d e r t a k i ng   a  t e st  case  which  

w i ll   c r e a te   an  i m p o r t a nt   model f or 

c o n d u c t i ng   m u l t i - d i s c i p l i n a ry   and  c r o s s - f r o n t i er r e s e a r ch 

c o n c e r n i ng 

t he  a p p l i c a t i on  of new   t e c h n o l o g i e s,   to be   u t i l i s ed  f or 

-  71  -

the  b e n e f it   of  a   number  of   Community  m a n u f a c t u r i ng   i n d u s t r i e s,   t h o se 

from  which  t he  r e l e v a nt t e c h n o l o g i es   w i ll   be  drawn  ( e . g.  the  m i c r o­

e l e c t r o n i cs   and  m a c h i n e ry   i n d u s t r i e s)   and  t h o se  which   w i ll   use  the 

t e c h n o l o g y. 

4.  C l o t h i ng m a n u f a c t u re  ( t h r o u g h o ut   t h is   t e x t,   t he   word  " c l o t h i n g" 

s h o u ld   be  r e ad  to  i n c l u de  

k n it   wear  )  has  been  chosen  as  t he   t e st 

a r ea   f or   t h is   programme  because  of  i ts economic  i m p o r t a n c e,  t he

  r e al 

p o s s i b i l i ty   which  e x i s ts   of   r e v e r s i ng   an  o v e r a ll   t r e nd  of  d e c l i ne in  r e c e nt 

y e a rs   t h r o u gh  a  major   t e c h n o l o g i c al   boost  and  because  i ts need  to 

e x p l o it   new  t e c h n o l o g i es f or  improved   c o m p e t i t i v i ty   is   t y p i c al   of 

t h at   of  a   number  of   Community  m a n u f a c t u r i ng   i n d u s t r i e s. 

5.  C l o t h i ng m a n u f a c t u re  t o d ay  p r o v i d es   employment  f or  o v er   850.000 

Community  w o r k e r s,  and  a   f u r t h er   1,2  m i l l i on   p e r s o ns  a re  employed 

by  t e x t i le   i n d u s t r i es   which  g r e a t ly   depend  on  t he   c l o t h i ng   i n d u s t ry 

f or   t h e ir   economic 

s u r v i v a l.  

T o g e t h e r,  t h e se  e n t e r p r i s es  employ 

over  8  %  of  t he   Community  w o r k f o r ce  in  t he  m a n u f a c t u r i ng   i n d u s t r i es 

and  a c c o u nt  f or   some  6,4  %  of  added  v a l ue  t h r o u g h o ut   Community 

i n d u s t ry   and  f or  6  %  of   Community  e x p o r ts  of  m a n u f a c t u r ed  p r o d u c t s. 

While  c l o t h i ng   m a n u f a c t u re  is  t h us  v e ry  i m p o r t a nt  in  economic 

t e r m s,  it  must  be  n o t ed  t h at  s i n ce  1975  t he  i n d u s t r y 's t u r n o v er  in 

r e al   terms  has  d r o p p ed   s u b s t a n t i a l ly   and  i ts w o r k f o r ce  has  d i m i­

n i s h ed   by  some  26  %. 

And  u n l e ss  t he   means  a re   q u i c k ly   found  to 

boost  c o m p e t i t i v i ty   v i s - a - v is   p r o d u c e rs   e s p e c i a l ly   in  t he  Far  E a s t, 
the  d e c l i ne of   Community  c l o t h i ng   m a n u f a c t u re  in  r e c e nt  y e a rs  may 

a c c e l e r a te   in  t he  near  f u t u re  and  t he   employment  and  o u t p ut   d i r e c t ly 

and  i n d i r e c t ly   g e n e r a t ed   w i ll   be  put  at  s e r i o us   r i s k.   Only  a  compe­

t i t i ve   i n d u s t ry can   o f f er   t he  g u a r a n t ee  of   employment. 

6.  It  s h o u ld  be  n o t ed  t h at   c l o t h i ng   m a n u f a c t u re  R &D  

programmes  a re 

a l r e a dy   underway  in  c o m p e t i t or  c o u n t r i e s.  In  J a p a n,  f or  example. 

-  72 -

an  80 Mio ECU,  M I T I - f u n d ed   programme  is  aimed  at  d e v e l o p i ng  

f u l ly 

automated  c l o t h i ng m a n u f a c t u r i ng  s y s t e m s. 

S u b s t a n t i al  work is 

a l so   g o i ng   on in  Sweden  and in t he  U n i t ed  S t a t e s. 

7.  The  f o l l o w i ng p a r a g r a p hs   s et o ut t he  t e c h n i c al  and a d m i n i s t r a t i ve 

c o n t e nt   of t he  programme  d e v e l o p ed   in  c o n s u l t a t i on  w i th  

i n d u s t r i al 

and  o t h er  e x p e r t s. 

I I.   The  r o le  of t he  Community 

8. The programme  p r o p o s ed  

w i ll   have  a  c a t a l y t ic   e f f e ct  on  m u l t i d i s c i p l i n a ry 

and  c o o p e r a t i ve  r e s e a r ch   e f f o r ts   w i th   t he  i n t e n t i on  of   a p p l y i ng   new 

t e c h n o l o g i es   aimed  at a   major  b r e a k t h r o u gh   in t he  c o m p e t i t i v i ty   of 

c l o t h i ng   m a n u f a c t u re   in t he  Community.  It  w i ll   p r o v i de   a  w o r k i ng   model 

f or   c r o s s - s e c t or   and  c r o s s - f r o n t i er c o o p e r a t i o n.   It  f a l ls  

e n t i r e ly 

w i t h in   t he  framework  programme  o p t i on  c o n c e r n i ng   t he  p r o m o t i on   of   i n­

d u s t r i al   c o m p e t i t i v e n e s s. 

9.  The programme  is n ot  aimed  at   s u b s i d i z i ng r e s e a r ch   in t he   c l o t h i n g ' i n­

d u s t r y.  

Such  r e s e a r ch   is  e s s e n t i a l ly   t he  r e s p o n s i b i l i ty   of t he   industry.The 

programme  is  i n t e n d ed   to  a d d r e ss   t he  f a c t o rs  where  Europe  is  l a g g i ng 

b e h i nd   : c r o ss  s e c t or   and c r o s s - f r o n t i er c o o p e r a t i o n.   The  programme 

s h o u ld  ensure  t h at   f u ll   a d v a n t a ge   is  t a k en   of t he  t e c h n o l o g i c al  p o t e n­

t i al   of  Europe  and t h at   more  e f f e c t i ve   u se is made of t he   r e s o u r c es 

a v a i l a b le   t h r o u gh   t he  r e d u c t i on   of  o v e r l a p p i ng   e f f o r ts   and t he 

b r i n g i ng   t o g e t h er   f or more   e f f e c t i ve   f u r t h er   d e v e l o p m e nt   of  complemen­

t a ry   but c u r r e n t ly  s e p a r a t ed  

e f f o r t s. 

In  t h is   p a r t i c u l ar   a t t e n t i on   w i ll   be  g i v en   to t he  i n v o l v e m e nt   of 

SMES  ( s ee   V ). 

-  73  -

10.  R e l a t i on  to  n a t i o n al   programmes 

A c t i v i t i es   e x i st  or  a re   under  p r e p a r a t i on  in  e.g.  F r a n c e,   Germany, 

t he   N e t h er  lands and  t he  U n i t ed   Kingdom. 

There  w i ll   be  no  d u p l i c a t i on  of  p r o j e c ts   which  c l e a r ly   a l r e a dy   form 
p a rt  of   a c t i v i t i es   in  a   M e m b e i — S t a t e.  
Such  p r o j e c ts  may,   however, 
be  i n t e g r a t ed  w i t h in  t he   work  of  t he   programme  by  agreement  as 
a p p r o p ri  a t e. 

The  e x p r e s s i o ns  of  i n t e r e st  and  c o n s u l t a t i o ns  w i th  the  CGC
p r o v i de  t he  b a s is  f or  a v o i d i ng  o v e r l a p p i n g. 

w i ll 

I I I.   Management  of  t he   programme 

A.  N a t u re   o£  Communvty^  act_ions_ 

11.  P r o j e c ts  u n d e r t a k en   under  t h is   programme  w i ll   be  implemented  through 

s h a r ed  c o st  c o n t r a c t s. 

Because  t h is   programme  c o n c e r ns  a p p l i c a t i on  of  new  t e c h n o l o g i e s,  the 

r e s e a r ch  

w i ll   in   most  c a s es  be  t a k en  to  t he  p o i nt  of

  p i l ot   and 

de­

m o n s t r a t i on  p r o j e c ts  to   d e m o n s t r a te   t he  new  t e c h n o l o g i es   under 

f u ll 

o p e r a t i ng  c o n d i t i o n s.  

These  p i l ot   p r o j e c ts  a re  c o n s i d e r ed   most  im­

p o r t a nt  as   f i r s t ly   t h ey  
f e a s i b i l i ty   of  t he  new  t e c h n o l o g i es  and  the  p o t e n t i al  e f f e c ts  on  o t h er 

w i ll   a s s i st  e v a l u a t i on  of  the  

p r a c t i c al 

a s p e c ts  of  t he  p r o d u c t i on  p r o c e s s,  and  s e c o n d ly  they

w i ll  

p r o v i de 

t he  i n d u s t ry  and  e s p e c i a l ly  i ts  SMES  an  o p p o r t u n i ty  to  c a l c u l a te  the 

l i k e ly   c o s ts  and  p r o d u c t i v i ty b e n e f i ts  of  i n t r o d u c t i ng  the 

new 

t e c h n o l o g i e s. 

 
 
-  74  -

S i n ce  the   programme  aims  at  a  major  b r e a k t h r o u gh   in  p r o d u c t i v i t y, 
i n d i v i d u al   p r o j e c ts   w i ll   n o r m a l ly 
c i p l i n a r y.  
framework  as  i s o l a t ed   d e v e l o p m e n ts   may  even  be  c o u n t e r p r o d u c t i ve 
they  m e r e ly  t r a n s f er  t he   p r o b l em   or  c r e a te   a n o t h er   one  e l s e w h e r e. 

The  i n d i v i d u al  p r o j e c ts   must  a l so  f it i n to  a 

be  s u b s t a n t i al  and  m u l t i d i s-

c o n c e p t u al 
if 

B.  Mariageme£t_and  e v a l u a t i on 

12.  In  t he   management  of  t he   programme,  t he   Management  and 

C o o r d i n a t i on 

C o n s u l t a t i ve   Committee  (CGC) 

-  I n d u s t r i al   T e c h n o l o g i es   w i ll   a s s i st 

t he   Commission  in   e x a m i n i ng   t he  p r o j e c t s,  in  m o n i t o r i ng 

t he   work  as 

t he   programme  p r o c e e d s,   s u g g e st   changes  to  t he   programme  and  in 

g e n e r al  a d v i se  t he   Commission  in  t he   management  of  t he   work. 

However, 

as  t h is   programme  is  s t r o n g ly  i n d u s t r y - o r i e n t a t e d,  t he   Commission 

w i ll   e s t a b l i sh  c o n s u l t a t i on  w i th  i n d u s t ry  and,   where  a p p r o p r i a t e, 

w i th 

academic  and  r e s e a r ch 

i n s t i t u t i o ns to   e n s u re   t h e ir   i n v o l v e m e nt  

and 

t he  use  of  t h e ir  t e c h n i c al  e x p e r t i se  in  t he

  programme,  in  p a r t i c u l ar 

on  t he   management  and  p o s s i b le  a d a p t a t i o ns 

of  t he   programme. 

The  c l o t h i ng  i n d u s t ry  and  o t h e rs  e.g.  t he   m a c h i n e ry   and  computer 
i n d u s t r i es   w i ll   be  i n c l u d ed  in   t h e se   c o n s u l t a t i o ns  in   a c c o r d a n ce   w i th 
t he   i m p o r t a n ce   of  the   programme  f or  t h e ir  s e c t o r. 

13.  The  programme  w i ll   be  s u b m i t t ed 

to  e v a l u a t i on   p r o c e d u r es   in  a c c o r­

dance  w i th  the   "Community  p l an  of  a c t i on  r e l a t i ng  to  t he 
of  Community  r e s e a r ch  and   development   programmes"  (COM 

e v a l u a t i on 
(83) 

1 ) .-

-  75 -

C.  P a r t i c i p a n ts   a nd   p r o j e c ts 

14.  P a r t i c i p a n ts   in a   p r o j e ct   c an be   i n d u s t r i al  f i r m s,  r e s e a r ch 

i n s­

t i t u t es   a nd   u n i v e r s i t i es  e s t a b l i s h ed   in t he   Community.  As  a 

g e n e r al 

r u l e,   t he   p r i me   c o n t r a c t or   or   l e a d er   in a   p r o j e ct 

p a r t n e r s h ip 

or  c o n s o r t i um  

' 

s h o u ld   be  an   i n d u s t r i al  f i rm  h a v i ng   a  m a j or 

i n t e r e st   in t he   a n t i c i p a t ed  r e s u l t s. 

S p e c i al  a t t e n t i on

  w i ll   be 

g i v en   to  an   a p p r o p r i a te  

i n v o l v e m e nt   of  SMEs  ( s ee  V ). 

15.  P r i o r i ty   w i ll   be   g i v en   to   p r o j e c ts   u n d e r t a k en   by  p a r t i c i p a n ts  in 

more  t h an   o ne  Member   S t a t e.  

Few  i n d i v i d u al   Member  S t a t es   p o s s e ss   t he 

c o m p l e te   r a n ge   of   t e c h n o l o g i es 

r e q u i r e d. 

D.  F i n a n c i al 

s u p p o rt 

16.  Community  f i n a n c i al  s u p p o rt  

w i ll   as  a   g e n e r al 

r u le   n ot   e x c e ed   50  % of 

t he  t o t al  c o st   of  t he   p r o j e c t,   t he   r e m a i n d er   to be   p r o v i d ed   by t he 

i n d u s t r i al   f i r ms  p a r t i c i p a t i ng   in t he   p r o j e c t.  

The  amount  of 

Community  f i n a n c i al  s u p p o rt  

w i ll   be  d e c i d ed 

i n d i v i d u a l ly   f or  e a ch 

p r o j e ct   in t he   l i g ht   of   i ts  c h a r a c t e r ! s t i c s , d e g r ee   of   c o n f o r m i ty 

w i th   t he 

s e l e c t i on  

c r i t e r ia   a nd  t he  amount  of   r i sk  a c c e p t ed   by  t he  . p r o p o s e rs   of t he 

p r o j e c t s.  

T he   C o m m i s s i on   w i ll   t a ke   d ue   a c c o u nt   of   a ll  o t h er   a id 

r e c e i v ed   or   e x p e c t ed   so   t h at   t he   g l o b al   amount  of   n a t i o n al   or   Com­

m u n i ty   s u p p o rt  

w i ll   n o t, as  a   g e n e r al 

r u l e,   e x c e ed   50  %  of t he 

t o t al   c o s t s.  

F or  d e m o n s t r a t i on   p r o j e c t s,   a  maximum  of  50  % of 

t he  g r a nt   is   r e p a y a b le   in t he   e v e nt   of   c o m m e r c i al   e x p l o i t a t i o n. 

E.  S e j ^ t j o ri   c r i t e r ia 

17.  The  s e l e c t i on   c r i t e r ia   f or  i n d i v i d u al  p r o j e c ts   must  r e f l e ct  t he 

n e c e s s i ty   to   u n d e r t a ke   a  p r o j e ct   on   Community  l e v el   a nd   e n s u re 

t h at   it is  a i m ed   at   s t i m u l a t i ng   i n t r a - C o m m u n i ty  

c o - o p e r a t i ve 

r e s e a r ch 

e f f o r t s.   N e xt   to t he   g e n e r al 

c o n d i t i o ns   ( s ee C a nd 

D)  a nd  t he   t e c h n i c al  c o n t e nt   of  t he  programme,  c r i t e r ia   f or  s e­

l e c t i on  

w i ll   be  t he   f o l l o w i ng   : 

-  76  -

1) t he  r e s e a r ch  proposed   is  n ot  a d e q u a t e ly  c o v e r ed   by  o t h er 

Community  programmes,by   p r i v a te  r e s e a r ch   or by  n a t i o n al   programmes, 

2) t he  r e s e a r ch   is  m u l t i - d i s c i p l i n a ry   and t he  work  w i ll   c o n t r i b u te  to 

a  b e t t er  c r o ss   f r o n t i er   c o o p e r a t i o n, 

3) t he  p o t e n t i al   i n d u s t r i al   a p p l i c a t i o ns  of t he  r e s e a r ch  a re 

e v i d e nt   b ut t he  r e s e a r ch  e n t a i l ed  must  i t s e lf   be p r e-

c o m p e t i t i v e,   i . e.  even  a f t er   s u c c e s s f ul 

c o m p l e t i on   of  t he 

r e s e a r ch  t h e re   w i ll   be  f u r t h er  R 8 D work  r e q u i r ed   by  i n d u s t ry 

w i th   i ts  own  f i n a n ce  b e f o re   t he  r e s u l ts  c an be   s u c c e s s f u l ly  em­

b o d i ed   in  m a r k e t a b le  p r o d u c ts   or   p r o c e s s e s, 

4) t he  r e s e a r ch  s h o u ld   p o t e n t i a l ly   l e ad   to  t e c h n o l o g i c al  b r e a k­

t h r o u g hs  

r e l a t i ng   to  i n d u s t r i al   p r o d u c t i v i t y, p r o d u ct  

r e l i a b i l i t y, 

o r i g i n a l i ty   of  d e s i gn   and o v e r a ll   q u a l i t y,   each  in  i t s e lf   a 

key  to  g r e a t er  c o m p e t i t i v e n e s s. 

5)  p r o j e c ts  s h o u ld  f it i n to  a  c o n c e p t u al   framework as  i n d i c a t ed 

in   t he  t e c h n i c al  c o n t e n t. 

F.  2i£ s£ m2/ 1£tJL°. n_   2.^^11^—rHal?2Pz. 

^ c ^ e £ s _ t£  £nd_ £X£loit_at^ion_ojf  £esult£._ 

19.  The r u l es   f or  d i s s e m i n a t i on   of  i n f o r m a t i on   and a c c e ss   to and  e x­

p l o i t a t i on   of  r e s u l ts   w i ll   f o l l ow   t he   p r i n c i p l es   as  s et  o ut  in 

t he   document  on t he  A c t i on   Programme. 

Because  t he  c l o t h i ng  programme  c o v e rs   a  wide  range   of  t e c h n i c al 

s u b j e c ts   and may n ot in  a ll c a s es  i n v o l ve  p r o j e c ts  c a r r i ed   o ut 

t h r o u gh   to  d e m o n s t r a t i on   t he  p r e c i:  

r u l es   w i ll   need  to be  a d­

j u s t ed   on a  case  by case  b a s is  w i th   t he  l e g al   t e r ms   and c o n d i t i o ns 

i n c o r p o r a t ed   in t he  i n d i v i d u al   c o n t r a c t s. 

-  77  -

IV.  E x p r e s s i o ns  of   i n t e r e st   and  t e n d e r. 

19.  E x p r e s s i o ns  of   i n t e r e st   a re  now  b e i ng  sought  from   companies  and  r e s e a r ch 

• o r g a n i z a t i o n s . T h o s e w h i ch  respond  

w i ll   not  be  c o m m i t t i ng 

themselves 

in   any  way  but   must  p r o v i de  t he  f o l l o w i ng i n f o r m a t i on  : 

-  i d e n t i ty   of  t he  o r g a n i z a t i on and  i n f o r m a t i on  about  who  would  be 

i n v o l v ed   in  t he  r e s e a r c h, 

-  a  s h o rt  d e s c r i p t i on of  t he  p r o j e ct  proposed  t o g e t h er  w i th  the 

t e c h n i c al   o b j e c t i v es  which  

w i ll   be  s o u g h t, 

-  t he  d u r a t i on  p r o p o s ed  f or  t he   work  and  t he  b u d g e t, 

-  f i r st   i n d i c a t i o ns as  to  o t h er  o r g a n i z a t i o ns  t h at  might  c o l l a b o r a t e, 

-  where  a p p r o p r i a t e,  a  r e q u e st  to  t he   Commission  to   c i r c u l a te   t he 

above  i n f o r m a t i on  to  o t h e rs  e x p r e s s i ng  an   i n t e r e st   in   s i m i l ar   work 
and  who  might  be  i n t e r e s t ed in  c o l l a b o r a t i ng in  a  p r o j e c t. 

20.  The  e x p r e s s i o ns  of   i n t e r e st  

w i ll   be  r e v i e w ed  by  t he   Commission  in 

c o n s u l t a t i on   w i th  t he  CGC. 

On  t he  b a s is  of  t he  e x p r e s s i o ns  of 

i n t e r e st   r e c e i v e d,  t he   Commission  w i ll 

c a ll   t o g e t h er  groups  of  po­

t e n t i al   p a r t i c i p a n ts w i th  a  v i ew  to  e n c o u r a g i ng  c o l l a b o r a t i ve 

a r r a n g e m e n t s. 

21.  Upon  C o u n c il  a p p r o v al  of  t he  

.programme,  t he   Commission  w i ll   i s s ue 

a  f o r m al   c a ll   f or  p r o p o s a l s. 

It  is  a n t i c i p a t ed t h at  the  p r o p o s a ls 

t h en  r e c e i v ed   w i ll   to  a  s u b s t a n t i al degree   come  from  t he  groups  of 

o r g a n i z a t i o ns   i n t e r e s t ed in  c o l l a b o r a t i ng  t o g e t h er  and  s et  up  d u r i ng 

t he  c o u r se  of  t he  p r e c e d i ng 

a r r a n g e m e n t s. 

-  78 -

V  .  S m a ll   and medium-sized  e n t e r p r i s es 

22.  Because  much of t he  work  p r o p o s ed   is  l i k e ly   to be of   d i r e ct   i n t e r e st 

or  b e n e f it   to SMES,   t h ey   w i ll   be  i n v o l v ed   in t he  a c t u al  e x e c u t i on 
of   t he  programme  to t he maximum   d e g r ee   p o s s i b l e.  Every   encouragement 

w i ll   be  g i v en   to SMES  to  submit  r e s e a r ch  p r o p o s a ls   and to be   a c t i ve 

p a r t i c i p a n ts   in t he  r e s e a r ch   e f f o rt   a n d / or  to make a   f i n a n c i al  

con­

t r i b u t i on   to  r e s e a r ch   of   i n t e r e st  to  them  to be  done  e l s e w h e r e. 

23.  As s et o ut in t he  main  document,  t he  i n v o l v e m e nt   of SMES  is  o f t en 

d i f f i c u lt   to   r e a l i s e.   The  f o l l o w i ng  mechanisms  s h o u l d,   between  them, 

encourage  t h e ir   i n v o l v e m e nt   and o n ly  e x p e r i e n ce   c an  p r o v i de  t he 

answer  as to  which  way or  ways  w i ll   be t he  most  a p p r o p r i a te   : 

-  many  SMES a re members of t he  c o - o p e r a t i ve   or   c o l l e c t i ve 

o r g a n i z a t i o ns   which  e x i st   in a  number  of Member   S t a t es   ;  such 
o r g a n i z a t i o ns   can t h e m s e l v es   do  r e s e a r ch   in t he  programme  on  b e h a lf 
of   SMES or c an  h e lp   to   i d e n t i fy   SMES  which  might 

i n d i v i d u al 

p a r ti  c i p a t e, 

-  l a r g er  f i r ms  which  n o r m a l ly   u se SMES  as   s u b c o n t r a c t o rs   or   which 

market  t h e ir   p r o d u c ts   c an  b r i ng   t he  programme  to t he  a t t e n t i on  of 

SMES or   i n v o l ve   them  as  r e s e a r ch  p a r t n e r s, 

-  u n i v e r s i t i es   a l r e a dy  w o r k i ng   on  p r o b l e ms   of   c o n c e rn   to SMES c an 

b r i ng   SMES  i n to   groups  f or   j o i n t ly   s u b m i t t i ng  p r o p o s a l s, 

-  Trade  a s s o c i a t i o n s,  chambers  of  commerce,  r e g i o n al   o f f i c es   of 

government  d e p a r t m e n ts   c o n c e r n ed  w i th   R &D  and  o t h er   l o c al   b o d i es 

who c an be   a p p r o a c h ed   t h r o u gh   government  or  t h r o u gh  i n d u s t ry 

c h a n n e ls   can seek  o ut  s m a ll  f i r ms  w i th   an  i n t e r e st  in t he   r e s e a r ch 

f i e l ds   i n c l u d ed   in t he  programme. 

-  79 -

24.  The  e x p r e s s i o ns   of   i n t e r e st   w i ll   be a  major  h e lp   in t he   e n c o u r a­

gement  of t he  p a r t i c i p a t i on   of  SMES and in  f o r m i ng  s u i t a b le 

g r o u ps   f or  p r o j e ct 

i m p l e m e n t a t i o n. 

VI.  The  t e c h n i c al  c o n t e nt   of t he  programme 

25.  At t he  r e q u e st   of t he  C o m m i s s i o n,   K u rt   Salmon  A s s o c i a t es 

produced 

a  r e p o rt   on t he  e x i s t i ng   l e v el   of   t e c h n o l o gy   in t he  European 
C l o t h i ng   I n d u s t r y.   Among  i ts c o n c l u s i o n s,   l a r g e ly   s u p p o r t ed   by 
t he  i n d u s t ry   i t s e l f,   was  t h at   t he  i n d u s t ry   needs  new  t e c h n o l o g i es 
not  o n ly   to  m o d e r n i ze   p r o d u c t i on  o p e r a t i o ns   ( p a r t i c u l a r ly   to move 
t o w a r ds   f u ll   s e q u e n t i al  a u t o m a t i o n)   b ut  a l so   to  improve  t he  mana­
gement  and  c o o r d i n a t i on   of   p r o d u c t i on  o p e r a t i o ns   ( p a r t i c u l a r ly   more 
The  r e p o rt  f u r t h er   recommended  c e r t a in 
e x t e n s i ve   u se of   c o m p u t e r s ).  
a r e as   of   r e s e a r ch  which   would  c o n t r i b u te  to  a c h i e ve   a  major  b r e a k­
t h r o u gh   in   p r o d u c t i v i t y. 

26.  A  c o n s t r u c t i ve  d i a l o g ue  t o ok  p l a ce   between  r e p r e s e n t a t i v es  of t he 

c l o t h i ng   i n d u s t ry  ( l a r ge  f i r m s,  medium  s i z ed  f i r ms   and  o r g a n i z a t i o ns 

r e p r e s e n t i ng   t he  i n t e r e s ts  of   s m a ll  f i r m s)   and m a n u f a c t u r e rs   of 

c o m p u t e r s,   m e c h a n i c al 

( r o b o t i c)  h a n d l i ng   equipment  and s p e c i al 

m a c h i n es   f or t he  c l o t h i ng  i n d u s t r y,  t o g e t h er  w i th   academics  h a v i ng 

a  s p e c i al  i n t e r e st  in t he  a p p l i c a t i on  of new   t e c h n o l o g i e s. 

27. The  a im of t he  above  m e e t i n gs   was  to  d e f i ne   more  c l o s e ly  t he   s i t u a t i on 

and  needs  of t he  Community  c l o t h i ng  i n d u s t r y,  as  w e ll   as t he  s p e c i­

f ic   t y p es   of   t e c h n o l o g i es  which   might  be  a p p l i ed   to  meet  t h e se   needs. 

In  t he   l a t t er   r e g a rd  e s p e c i a l l y,  v a l u a b le  a d v i ce   was  p r o v i d ed 

-  80  -

but  a l so  by  s e v e r al  l a r ge  c l o t h i ng

not  o n ly  by  the   range  of  s p e c i a l i s ts  from  t he  d i f f e r e nt   f i e l ds 
of  t e c h n o l o gy 
have  c o n s i d e r a b le  e x p e r i e n ce 
s m a ll  and   m e d i u m - s i z ed   f i r m s)  on  t he  t e c h n o l o gy   needed  to   improve 
the  d e s i gn  and  q u a l i ty  of  t h e ir  p r o d u c t s. 
q u e n t ly  f e e ls 
r e f l e ct   t r u ly   e x p e rt 

t h at  t he  c o n c l u s i o ns   drawn  f r om  t h e se   m e e t i n gs 

in  a d v i s i ng  t h e ir  s u p p l i e rs  ( o f t en 

  Commission  c o n s e­

  r e t a i l e rs   which 

o p i n i o n. 

The

28-  It   became  c l e ar   f r om  t h e se  d i s c u s s i o ns  t h at   : 

-  advanced  t e c h n o l o gy 

now  p l a ys  o n ly  a   minor  r o le  in   Community 

c l o t h i ng   p r o d u c t i on  o p e r a t i o ns   -  s i n ce  t he  i n v e n t i on  of  t he 

s e w i ng   machine  and  t he  a p p l i c a t i on  of   power  to  

i t,   no  r a d i c al 

t e c h n i c al   d e v e l o p m e n ts   have  o c c u r r ed  in  t h is  a r ea  of   m a n u f a c t u r e, 

-  s u p p l i e rs  of  e x i s t i ng  m a c h i n e ry   t h i nk  p r i m a r i ly  of 

i m p r o v i ng 

t h at   m a c h i n e ry   r a t h er  t h an  d e v e l o p i ng  new  t y p es  of   m a c h i n e ry   or 

p r o d u c t i on   methods,  e.g.  s e w i ng   machines  and  p a r t i c u l a r ly t h e ir 

speeds  have  i m p r o v e d,   but  not   much  has  been  d e v e l o p ed   to   speed 

up  i n t e r m e d i a te 

p r o c e s s e s, 

-  one  of  t he   major  i n e f f i c i e n c i es   in  t he  p r o d u c t i on  p r o c e ss  is  t he 

s u b s t a n t i al   t i me   wasted  in  m a n i p u l a t i ng 

f a b r i cs  at  and   a r o u nd 

work  s t a t i o n s,  t h is  is   s t i ll   done  p r i m a r i ly  by   human  h a n d, 

-  t he  e x i s t i ng  m a n u f a c t u r i ng 

f i r ms  a re  in  g e n e r al  s m a ll  and 

l a c k i ng 

t he   f i n a n c i al   r e s o u r c es  or  t e c h n i c al  e x p e r t i se  to   u n d e r t a ke  
R & D, 
s i g n i f i c a nt   m o d e r n i z a t i on 

a l o ne 

-  t he  s m a ll  s i ze  of   many  of  t he  f i r ms  r e q u i r es  t h at  any 

new 

t e c h n o l o g i es   which  may  d e r i ve   f r om  t h is   programme  must  be  adap­

t a b le   to  s m a ll  s c a le  p r o d u c t i on 

o p e r a t i o n s, 

-  81  -

-  among  t he   most  s u c c e s s f ul  f i r ms  at  p r e s e n t,  a re  t h o se  p o s s e s s i ng 

t he   f l e x i b i l i ty   to   adapt  t h e ir   p r o d u c t i on  q u i c k ly  in  response 

to  market  demand  and  f a s h i on   change. 

The  Main  R e s e a r ch 

Areas 

29.  In  o r d er  to   meet  t he  i n d u s t ry   needs  as  e l a b o r a t ed  d u r i ng  t he 

Commission's  c o n s u l t a t i o n s, t h r ee  g e n e r al  a r e as  of  r e s e a r ch   have 

been  s e l e c t ed  f or  s u p p o rt   under  t h is   programme.  These  a r e a s, 

b r i e f ly   e x p l a i n ed   b e l o w,   r e l a te  to  : 

1)  M a t e r i a ls  h a n d l i ng 

t e c h n o l o g y, 

2)  Sewing  s t a t i on  t e c h n o l o g y, 

3)  A l t e r n a t i ve p r o d u c t i on  p r o c e s s es  and  i n t e g r a t i o n. 

-  M a t e r i a ls  h a n d l i ng 

30.  R e s e a r ch  i n to  b e t t er   methods  of   f a b r ic   h a n d l i ng  is  p r o b a b ly  t he 

most  i m p o r t a nt  a r ea  of  r e s e a r ch   needed  to   improve  p r o d u c t i v i ty in 

Community  c l o t h i ng m a n u f a c t u r e.  

Some  90  %  of  w o r k e r s'  t i me  is 

c u r r e n t ly   spent  s i m p ly  on  m a n i p u l a t i ng   f a b r ic   and  garment  p a r ts  i n to 

and  out  of  t he  s e w i ng   m a c h i n e ry   and  on  to  t he  next  s t a ge  of 

p r o d u c t i o n. 

31.  S p e c i f i c a l l y,   r e s e a r ch  is   needed  on  how  to  a p p ly  m e c h a n i c al   hand­

l i ng   ( e s p e c i a l ly r o b o t i c s)  and  magnetic   and/or  o p t i c al   r e c o g n i t i on 

t e c h n o l o g i es  f or  t he  p u r p o s es  of   i d e n t i f y i n g,   s e p a r a t i n g,  g r i p p i n g, 
o r i e n t i ng   and  i n t r o d u c i ng  i n to  sewing   m a c h i n e ry   v a r y i ng  t y p es 

of  f a b r i cs  ,  as  w e ll  as  f or  a d v a n c i ng  (and  o f t en  t u r n i ng  i n s i de  o u t) 

s e m i - f i n i s h ed   p a r ts  f or   s u b s e q u e nt   p r o d u c t i o n. 

A   c r u c i al  

a s p e ct 

of  t he  r e s e a r ch   w i ll   be  l e a r n i ng  how  to   adapt  t he   component 

-  82 

-

t e c h n o l o g i es  

to  make   them  s e n s i t i ve 

to 

t he  s p e c i al  c h a r a c t e r i s­

t i cs   of 

f a b r i c,  e s p e c i a l ly 

i ts 

l a ck  of 

r i g i d i t y. 

M e c h a n i c al 

h a n d l i ng  t e c h n o l o gy  s u i t ed 

to  s h e et  m e t a l s, 

f or  e x a m p l e,  w o u ld 

have  to  be  d r a s t i c a l ly  a d a p t e d. 

-  S e ^ i n g _ t e c ^ n £ l o gy 

3 2-  

It   w i ll   be  a  m a j or  o b j e c t i ve  of 

t h is  programme 

to  a c h i e ve

  s i g n i­

f i c a nt  p r o d u c t i v i ty  and  q u a l i ty 

i m p r o v e m e n ts  at 

t he  s e w i ng 

s t a t i o n. 

The  s e w i ng  m a c h i n e ry 

in  most  c l o t h i ng 

f a c t o r i es 

is 

in 

u se   o n ly 

f or  a  s m a ll  p r o p o r t i on  of 

t he  

t o t al   w o r k i ng  

t i m e. 

3 3.  R e s e a r ch 

is  n e e d ed 

in  p a r t i c u l ar 

to  d e v e l op  m u l t i - p u r p o se  s e w i ng 

h e a ds   and  new  t y p es  of 

l o c k - s t i t c h es  c a p a b le  of  b e i ng  made 

f r om 

one  s i de  o n l y,  and  a l so  m e t h o ds 

f or  a u t o m a t ic 

r e - s p o o l i ng  and 

r e - t h r e a d i n g, 

f or 

f i x ed 

f a b r ic  s e w i ng  and  f or  3 - d i m e n s i o n al  s e w i n g. 

3 4.  An  o v e r a ll 

r e - d e s i g n i ng  of  s e w i ng  s t a t i o ns  w o u ld  be  a p p r o p r i a te 

in 

many  c a s e s,  

t o o, 

in  o r d er 

to 

i n c r e a se  b o th   w o r k er   c o m f o rt  and   c o n­

t r ol   of  o u t p u t. 

E x i s t i ng  t e c h n o l o gy  c o u ld  be  a d a p t e d, 

f or  e x a m p l e, 

to  a l l ow  w o r k e rs 

to  c o n t r ol 

t he  o p e r a t i on  of  s e v e r al  m a c h i n es 

s i m u l t a n e o u s l y. 

At  p r e s e n t,  a  one   w o r k er  

to  o ne  m a c h i ne 

r e l a t i o n s h ip 

is   a l m o st  u n i v e r s al 

in  c l o t h i ng  m a n u f a c t u r e. 

~ hSl^LPB^iyi.  £ r £ d u c I n o n _ p £ o c e s s£ S_ a n d _ i £t   e g ra   t H o n_ 

3 5.  Not  w e ll   d e f i n ed  as  y et  but  g e n e r a l ly  a c k n o w l e d g ed  as  an  a r ea 

of  e n d e a v o ur  w h i ch  s h o u ld  be  o p e n ed  to 

r e s e a r ch  p r o p o s a ls 

is 

t h at   c o n c e r n i ng   p o t e n t i al   a l t e r n a t i ve   p r o d u c t i on   p r o c e s s e s.  

T h e se 

may  b r o a d ly  c o n c e rn  r e - o r g a n i z i ng 

t he  w h o le  c l o t h i ng  p r o d u c t i on 

-  83 

-

o p e r a t i on  or  may  c o n c e n t r a te  on  s p e c i f ic  a s p e c t s,  e . g.  a p p l i c a­

t i on  of  new 

j o i n i ng 

t e c h n i q u e s.

A l so   of 

i n t e r e st  would  be 

r e s e a r ch 

p r o p o s a ls   c o n c e r n i ng  a l t e r n a t i ve 

c l o t h i ng  d e s i gn  t e c h n i q u es  and 

r e l a t ed  p a t t e rn  p r o d u c t i o n. 

F or  e x a m p l e, 

t e c h n o l o gy  a l l o w i ng 

new  d e s i g ns  to  be 

f a s h i o n ed  on  c o m p u t er  and  d i r e c t ly 

t r a n s l a t ed 

i n to  p a t t e r ns 

f or  a u t o m a t ed  p r o d u c t i on  would  c o n t r i b u te

s i g n i­

f i c a n t ly 

to  a c h i e v i ng  g r e a t er 

f l e x i b i l i ty 

in  c l o t h i ng  m a n u f a c t u r e. 

3 6. 

In  a d d i t i o n , o n ce 

i n i t i al 

r e s u l ts  a re  o b t a i n ed 

f r om  t he  above  a r e as 

of 

r e s e a r ch 

it   w i ll   be 

i m p o r t a nt 

to  s t u dy  how  t he 

a n t i c i p a t ed 

new  m a t e r i a ls  h a n d l i ng  a nd  s e w i ng  t e c h n o l o g i es  a n d / or 

a l t e r n a t i ve 

p r o c e s s es   of  c l o t h i ng  m a n u f a c t u re  c an  be 

i n t e g r a t ed 

to  c r e a te 

a  more  e f f i c i e nt 

f a c t o ry  o r g a n i z a t i on  o v e r a l l. 

It  s h o u ld  be  em­

p h a s i z ed   t h at  

r e s e a r ch  e f f o r ts 

in 

t h is  s p e c i f ic  a r ea

  w i ll  

f i r st 

be  d i r e c t ed 

t o w a r ds 

i n t e g r a t i ng  p r o d u c t i on  p r o c e s s es  one  by  o n e, 

and  o n ly  d u r i ng 

t he  

l a t t er   s t a ge  of 

t he  programme   w i ll  

t h o u g h ts 

t u rn 

t o w a r ds 

f u ll  s y s t e ms 

i n t e g r a t i on  e . g.  c o m p l e te  s e q u e n t i al 

a u t o m a t i o n. 

G i v en  t he  v e ry  wide 

r a n ge  of  p r o d u c t i on  s t r u c t u r e s, 

s i z es   and  s p e c i al  n e e ds  of 

f i r ms   w i t h in  

t he  e x i s t i ng  E u r o p e an 

c l o t h i ng 

i n d u s t r y, 

t h e re   w i ll   be  no  one  u n i v e r s al 

t e c h n i c al  or 

o r g a n i z a t i on  s o l u t i on  p o s s i b l e.  On  t he  o t h er  h a n d,  a  b r e a k t h r o u gh 

in  any  o ne  of 

t he 

r e s e a r ch  a r e as  or  an  a d v a n ce 

in 

t he  d i r e c t i on  of 

i n t e g r a t ed  m a n u f a c t u re  w h i ch 

f a l ls  s h o rt  of  a  c o m p l e t e ly 

i n t e g r a­

t ed  s y s t em  may  p r o v i de 

i m m e d i a te  b e n e f i ts 

t h r o u g h o ut 

t he 

i n d u s t ry 

and  p a r t i c u l a r ly 

f or 

t he  many   SMEs 

i n v o l v e d. 

3 7.  

It 

s h o u ld  be  n o t ed   t h a t,   as  r e g a rd  a ll  of 

t he 

r e s e a r ch  a r e a s, 

t he 

C o m m i s s i on   e x p e c ts  work 

to  e m p h a s i ze  a p p l i c a t i on  of  m i c r o l e c t r o-

n i cs   and  c o m p u t e r i z ed  s y s t e ms  c o n t r o l. 

T h is 

is  of  c o u r se  most 

i m­

p o r t a nt 

r e l a t i ng 

to  p r o d u c t i on  p r o c e s s es  i n t e g r a t i on  and  e s s e n t i al 

 
 
-  84 

-

c o n c e r n i ng   new  d e s i gn  t e c h n i q u e s,  b ut 

is 

r e l e v a nt  as   w e ll  

to 

t he 

r e s e a r ch  

f or 

i m p r o v i ng  m a t e r i a ls  h a n d l i ng  and  s e w i ng  s t a t i o ns 

t e c h­

n o l o g i e s.  

O v e r a l l,  a p p l i c a t i on  of  c o m p u t er 

t e c h n o l o gy  c an  s e r ve 

to 

i n c r e a se  d r a m a t i c a l ly 

t he  c l o t h i ng  p r o d u c e r s'  s p e ed  of 

r e s p o n se 

to  c h a n g i ng  m a r k et  d e m a n d,  w h i ch 

is  a  key 

to  a c h i e v i ng  g r e a t er 

c o m p e t i t i v i ty  and  e s p e c i a l ly 

i m p o r t a nt 

f or

  S M E s. 

R e l a t i on 

to  o t h er  Community  R &D  programmes 

3 8.   £ s p r i _ t _ a nd   BTR 

A l t h o u gh   b o th 

in 

t he  E s p r it  programme  and 

in 

t he  BTR  programme 

work  w i ll   be  done  on   C A D / C A M,  

t h e re   w i ll   be  no  o v e r l ap  as 

t he 

c l o t h i ng  programme   w i ll   be 

l i m i t ed 

to 

t he  a p p l i c a t i on 

in 

t he 

c l o t h i ng 

i n d u s t r y. 

3 9.  S e c o nd  R &D  programme 

in 

t he 

f i e ld  of 

t e x t i l es  a nd  c l o t h i n g. 

A l t h o u gh  

t he  o b j e c t i v es  of 

t h is  programme  a re  d i f f e r e n t, 

an 

o v e r l ap  c o u ld   o c c ur  

in 

i s o l a t ed   c a s e s.  

As  b o th  p r o g r a m m es 

a re 

i n c l u d ed   w i t h in   a  s i n g le  a c t i on  p r o g r a m m e,  u n n e c e s s a ry  d u­

p l i c a t i on  of  work   w i ll   be  e a s i ly  a v o i d e d. 

V I I. 

F u n d i ng  of 

t he  programme  and  s t a f f i ng  n e e d s. 

40-  The  p r o p o s ed  f u n d i ng  of 

t h is  programme  must  be  c o n s i d e r ed  as 

t he  minimum  n e c e s s a ry  to  g e n e r a te 

r e s u l ts  a b le 

to  make  a  s i g n i f i­

c a nt 

i m p a ct  on  t he  c o m p e t i t i v i ty  of  c l o t h i ng  m a n u f a c t u re 

in 

t he 

C o m m u n i t y. 

-  85 

-

4 1. 

It 

is  p r o p o s ed   t h at  

t he  programme  have  a  f o u r - y e ar  d u r a t i o n,  but 

it 

is  c l e ar  

t h at   w h i le  c e r t a in  of 

t he 

r e s e a r ch  o b j e c t i v es  may 

be  r e a c h ed   w i t h in  

t h is  p e r i od  o t h e rs  c an  o n ly  be  r e a c h ed 

in  a 

l o n g er  p e r i o d. 

The 

i n t e n t i on 

t h e r e f o re 

is   t h at  

t he  programme   w i ll 

assume  t he 

f o rm  of  a  4 - y e ar 

r o l l i ng  programme   w i th   a  r e v i ew  and 

m o d i f i c a t i on  of 

t he  programme  at 

t he  end  of  e a ch  y e a r. 

42.  The  p r o j e c t ed  

t o t al   c o st   of 

t he  programme 

is  e s t i m a t ed  at 

70  MIO  ECU  w i th   an  a p p r o x i m a t e ly  50  %  Community  c o n t r i b u t i on 

(35  M io  E C U ). 

It 

is  e s t i m a t ed  

t h at   a p p r o x i m a t e ly  25  %  of 

t he 

f u n ds   w i ll   be 

a b s o r b ed   by  e a ch  of 

t he  m a j or  programme  work  a r e as 

: 

-  m a t e r i a ls  h a n d l i ng 

t e c h n o l o g y, 

-  s e w i ng  s t a t i on 

t e c h n o l o g y, 

-  a l t e r n a t i ve   p r o c e s s es   and 

i n t e g r a t i o n, 

-  pi  l ot  p r o j e c t s. 

But  at 

t h is  s t a g e,  no  a l l o c a t i on 

is  made. 

F l e x i b i l i ty  s h o u ld  be 

m a i n t a i n ed  b e c a u se  d u r i ng 

t he  c o u r se  of 

t he  programme  and  d e­

p e n d i ng  on  t he   s u c c e ss   of 

i n i t i al  w o r k, 

t h e re  may  a r i se  a  n e ed 

to 

c r e a te  new  p r o j e c ts  or 

to  c h a n n el  g r e a t er 

f u n d i ng  to  p r i o r i ty 

a r e as  or  s p e c i f ic  p r o j e c t s. 

It 

is  a l so  e x p e c t ed

  t h at   d u r i ng 

t he 

l a t er  s t a g es  of 

t he  programme 

t h e re   w i ll   be  a  need  to  s h i ft 

r e s o u r c es  

in 

t he  d i r e c t i on  of 

f u n d i ng  of  p i l ot  p r o j e c t s. 

-  86 

-

C o m m i s s i on   S t a f f i ng  Needs 

43.  The  C o m m i s s i on  f o r e s e es  a  n e ed  to  e n g a ge  a  minimum  of  7  p e r s o ns 

in  o r d er 

to  manage  t h is  programme  a p p r o p r i a t e l y. 

T h is 

f i g u re 

is 

i n d e ed   c o n s i d e r ed  a  minimum  as 

it 

is  b a s ed  on  t he  a s s u m p t i on

  t h at 

c e r t a in  a d m i n i s t r a t i ve  and  t e c h n i c al  s u p p o rt  c an  be  p r o v i d ed  by 

t he  s t a ff  e n g a g ed  f or 

t he  BTR  p r o g r a m m e. 

The  c o n t r a c ts  e n t a i l ed 

would  be  s h o r t - t e r m, 

i . e.  at 

t he  maximum  o n ly  c o v e r i ng  t he  s p an  of 

t he  p r o g r a m m e. 

The  s p e c i f ic  s t a f f i ng  n e e ds  a re  as 

f o L L o ws 

: 

A 

G r a de 

4 

( p e r s o ns  k n o w l e d g e a b le 

r e s p e c t i v e ty 

in 

r o b o t i c s, 

i n f o r m a t i on 

t e c h n o L o g y,  c L o t h i ng  m a n u f a c t u re  and 

m a t e r i a ls  h a n d l i n g) 

( s u p p o rt  s t a ff 

in  n o r m al

r a t io  

to  A  g r a de   s t a f f) 

B 

G r a de 

C 

G r a de 

t o t al  

1 

2 

7 

V I I I.   G e n e r al 

4 4.  The  c e n t r al  o b j e c t i ve  of 

t h is  programme 

is 

to  s t i m u l a te  a 

m u l t i d i s c i p l i n a ry  and  c o o p e r a t i ve 

r e s e a r ch   e f f o rt  

to  a p p ly  new 

t e c h n o l o g i es  

f or 

i m p r o v i ng  c o m p e t i t i v i ty 

in  E u r o p e an  Community 

c l o t h i ng   m a n u f a c t u r e. 

In 

t he   p r o c e s s,   h o w e v e r,  a  p r a c t i c al  w o r k i ng 

model 

f or  c a r r y i ng  o ut 

t h is 

t y pe  of 

r e s e a r ch  c an  be  d e v e l o p ed 

f or 

s u b s e q u e nt   u t i l i s a t i on 

r e g a r d i ng  o t h er 

i n d u s t r i es  w h i ch  a l so  n e ed 

to  a p p ly  new  t e c h n o l o g i es 

in  o r d er 

to  b o o st 

t h e ir 

c o m p e t i t i v i t y. 

T h e se   d u al  o b j e c t i v es  must  be   k e pt  

in  mind  t h r o u g h o ut 

t he  programme 

and  c o n t r ol  a ll  a s p e c ts  of 

i ts  management. 

 
-  87 

-

45  .  The  C o m m i s s i on  is  L o o k i ng  f or  m a j or 

i n d u s t ry  s u p p o rt  at 

a ll 

s t a g es   of 

t he  p r o g r a m m e,  p a r t i c u l a r ly 

in 

t e r ms  of 

f i n a n c i ng 

and  o n - g o i ng  a d v i ce 

r e g a r d i ng 

t he  management  of 

t he  p r o g r a m m e. 

The  Community  c an  p r o v i de  c e r t a in 

f i n a n c i al  s u p p o rt  and  c o o r­

d i n a t i o n,  b ut 

it 

is 

i n d u s t ry  w h i ch  must  c a r ry 

t h r o u gh 

to

  m a ke 

t he  programme  a   s u c c e s s. 

-  as  -

P r o p o s al  

f or  a 

COUNCIL  DECISION 

A d o p t i ng  a  m u l t i a n n u al 

r e s e a r ch  and  d e v e l o p m e nt  programme  of 

t he  E u r o p e an 

E c o n o m ic   Community 

in 

t he 

f i e ld  of 

t he  a p p l i c a t i o ns  of  new 

t e c h n o l o g i es 

The  C o u n c il  of 

t he  E u r o p e an  C o m m u n i t i e s, 

H a v i ng 

r e g a rd 

to 

t he  T r e a ty  e s t a b l i s h i ng 

t he  E u r o p e an  E c o n o m ic  C o m m u n i t y, 

and 

in  p a r t i c u l ar  A r t i c le   235 

t h e r e o f, 

H a v i ng  r e g a rd 

to 

t he  p r o p o s al 

f r om 

t he   C o m m i s s i o n, 

H a v i ng 

r e g a rd 

to 

t he  o p i n i on  of 

t he  E u r o p e an  P a r l i a m e nt

, 

H a v i ng 

r e g a rd 

to 

t he  o p i n i on  of 

t he  E c o n o m ic  and  S o c i al  C o m m i t t ee

' 

Whereas  A r t i c le   2  of 

t he  T r e a ty  a s s i g ns  to 

t he  C o m m u n i ty 

t he 

t a sk 

i n t er 

a l ia 

of  p r o m o t i ng 

t h r o u g h o ut 

t he  Community  a  h a r m o n i o us  d e v e l o p m e nt  of  e c o n o m ic 

a c t i v i t i e s,  a  c o n t i n u o us  and  b a l a n c ed  e x p a n s i on  a nd  an  a c c e l e r a t ed 

r a i s i ng 

of 

t he  s t a n d a rd  of 

l i v i n g; 

Whereas 

r e s e a r ch 

i n to 

t he  a p p l i c a t i o ns  of  new 

t e c h n o l o g i es  c o n t r i b u t es 

to 

t he 

a t t a i n m e nt   of 

t h e se  o b j e c t i v e s; 

Whereas 

in  o r d er 

to  s e c u re 

t he 

f u ll  e c o n o m ic  a d v a n t a g es  of 

t he  Common

  M a r k et 

it 

is  n e c e s s a ry 

to  e n c o u r a ge 

t he  a p p l i c a t i o ns  of  new 

t e c h n o l o g i es  more  w i d e ly 

t h r o u g h o ut 

t he  C o m m u n i t y;  w h e r e as 

it 

is  s i m i l a r ly  n e c e s s a ry 

to  b r i ng 

t o g e t h er 

t e c h n o l o g i es 

f r om  a  v a r i e ty  of  m a n u f a c t u r i ng  o r i g i ns 

f or 

t he  b e n e f it 

of 

s p e c i f ic  

i n d u s t r i al  s e c t o r s;  w h e r e as 

it 

is  n e c e s s a ry 

to  e n c o u r a ge 

t he  a p p l i c­

a t i o ns  of  new 

t e c h n o l o g i es 

in  a  way  w h i ch   w i ll   e s p e c i a l ly  b e n e f it 

s m a ll  and 

m e d i u m - s i z ed  e n t e r p r i s e s; 

 
 
-  89 

-

Whereas  p r o m o t i on  of  E u r o p e an 

i n d u s t r i a l,  c o m p e t i t i v e n e ss 

is  one  of 

t he 

major  g o a ts  of 

t he  Framework  P r o g r a m m e; 

Whereas 

t he  R e s e a r ch  A c t i on  Programme  

I n d u s t r i al   T e c h n o l o g i es 

i n c l u d es  a 

number  of 

r e s e a r ch  p r o g r a m m es  of  v a l ue 

to  E u r o p e an 

i n d u s t ry  b ut  d o es  n ot 

yet 

i n c l u de  a  programme  b r i n g i ng 

t o g e t h er 

t e c h n o l o g i es 

f r om  a  number  of 

d i f f e r e nt   o r i g i ns 

f or 

t he  b e n e f it  of  s p e c i f ic 

i n d u s t r i al  s e c t o r s; 

Whereas 

t he  c l o t h i ng  s e c t or 

is  by 

i ts  n a t u re  and 

i ts  c u r r e nt  e c o n o m ic 

s i t u a t i on  p a r t i c u l a r ly  s u i t ed 

f or  a  f i r st  e x p e r i m e n t al  Community  R&D 

programme 

in 

t he 

f i e ld  of 

t he  a p p l i c a t i o ns  of  new 

t e c h n o l o g i e s; 

Whereas 

t he  T r e a ty  d o es  n ot  p r o v i de 

t he  s p e c i f ic  p o w e rs  of  a c t i o ns 

r e q u i r ed 

f or 

t h o se  e n d s; 

HAS  DECIDED  AS  FOLLOWS: 

A r t ic le  1 

1)  A  programme  of 

r e s e a r ch  and  d e v e l o p m e nt  of 

t he  E u r o p e an  E c o n o m ic  Community 

in  t he 

f i e ld  of  a p p l i c a t i o ns  of  new 

t e c h n o l o g i es  as  d e s c r i b ed 

in 

t he  Annex 

is   h e r e by   a d o p t ed  

f or  a  p e r i od  of 

f o ur  y e a ES  c o m m e n c i ng  on  t he   d a te   when 

t h is  D e c i s i on 

is  p u b l i s h ed 

in 

t he  O f f i c i al  J o u r n al  of 

t he  E u r o p e an  C o m m u n i t i e s. 

2)  The  work 

is 

to  be  c a r r i ed  o ut  as  c o n t r a ct 

r e s e a r c h. 

The  work 

w i ll   be  c a r r i ed  o ut  by  means  of  s h a r ed  c o st  c o n t r a c ts 

to  be 

p l a c ed   w i th   a p p r o p r i a te 

i n d u s t r i al  o r g a n i z a t i o n s, 

r e s e a r ch 

l a b o r a t o r i es  or 

u n i v e r s i ty 

i n s t i t u t es  or  c o m b i n a t i o ns  

t h e r e o f. 

P r i o r i ty  s h a ll  be  g i v en 

to  p r o j e c ts  c a r r i ed  o ut  by  p a r t i c i p a n ts 

f r om  more 

t h an 

one  Member  S t a t e, 

at 

l e a st  o ne  of 

them  b e i ng  an 

i n d u s t r i al  o r g a n i z a t i o n. 

A r t i c le  2 

The  a p p r o p r i a t i o ns 

n e c e s s a ry 

f or 

t he 

i m p l e m e n t a t i on  of 

t he  p r o g r a m m e, 

t he 

amount  of  w h i ch 

is  e s t i m a t ed 

to  be  35  m i l l i on 

E C U,  i n c l u d i ng  e x p e n d i t u re  on 

a  s t a ff  of  7,  s h a ll  be  e n t e r ed 

in 

t he  b u d g et  of 

t he  E u r o p e an  C o m m u n i t i e s. 

The  f i g u r es  a re  g i v en  m e r e ly  by  way  of 

i n d i c a t i o n. 

-  90 

-

A r t i c le  3 

The  programme   s h a ll  be 

r e v i e w ed  d u r i ng 

i ts  s e c o nd  y e a r. 

S u ch  r e v i ew  may 

l e a d,  

in  a c c o r d a n ce   w i th  

t he  a p p r o p r i a te  p r o c e d u r e, 

to  a  r e v i s i on  of 

t he 

programme 

to  

t a ke   e f f e ct  d u r i ng 

t he 

t h i rd 

y e a r. 

A r t i c le   4 

The  C o m m i s s i on  s h a ll  be  r e s p o n s i b le 

f or 

t he  e x e c u t i on  of 

t he  p r o g r a m m e. 

It 

s h a ll  d e c i d e, 

in 

t he 

f r a m e w o rk  of 

t he  p r o g r a m m e,  on  t he 

d e t a i l ed 

i m p l e m e n t a t i o n,  p a r t i c u l a r ly 

c o n c e r n i ng  t he  b r e a k d o wn  of 

t he

  w o r k. 

A r t i c le   5 

The  C o m m i s s i on  s h a ll  be  a s s i s t ed 

in 

t he 

t a sk 

l i s t ed 

in  A r t i c le

  4  by 

t he 

Management  a nd 

C o n s u l t a t i ve  C o m m i t t ee  

( I n d u s t r i al   T e c h n o l o g i e s)   (CGC) 

c r e a t ed  by  C o u n c il  D e c i s i on 

 
-  91 

-

ANNEX 

COMMUNITY  PROGRAMME 

IN  THE   F I E LD   OF  THE   A P P L I C A T I O NS   OF  NEW  T E C H N O L O G I ES 

( C L O T H I NG   M A N U F A C T U R E ) 

An  a m o u nt  of  35   M i o E CU  

is  e s t i m a t ed 

to  be  r e q u i r ed 

f or 

t he 

i m p l e m e n t a t i on 

of 

t h is  p r o g r a m me  w h i ch 

is 

to 

i n c l u de

  w o rk  

in 

t he 

f o l l o w i ng 

f o ur 

p r i n c i­

p al   a r e a s.  

In  a ll  of 

t h e se   a r e a s,  

t he 

r e s e a r ch  a nd  d e v e l o p m e nt  may 

r e l a te 

to  a ny 

t y pe  of 

c l o t h i ng  

f r om   s i m p le  u n d e r g a r m e n ts 

to  c o m p l ex  o u t er 

f a s h i on 

g a r m e n t s.  A ll 

t y p es  of 

f a b r ic  may  be  c o n s i d e r ed 

i n c l u d i ng

  b o th   w o v en  ? pd 

k n i t t ed  

f a b r i c s. 

1.  M a t e r i a ls  H a n d l i ng 

P r o b l e ms  

r e l a t ed 

to 

t he 

t r a n s f er  of 

i n d i v i d u al  p i e c es  of 

f a b r ic  or 

g a r m e nt 

p a r ts 

to  e a ch   s u c c e s s i ve   s e w i ng  s t a t i on 

in 

t he  

r i g ht   n u m b e rs  a nd  at 

t he 

c o r r e ct 

s p e ed 

to  e n s u re  o p t i m um  p r o d u c t i o n.  W o rk  may 

i n c l u de 

r e s e a r ch  a nd 

d e v e l o p m e nt  on 

: 

( a)  m e c h a n i c al 

t r a n s p o rt 

s y s t e ms  of  b e l t s, 

r a i l s,  c h a i n s,

  c a b l e s,  

e t c. 

on  w h i ch 

t he  c o m p o n e n ts  a re  c a r r i e d,  s i n g ly  or 

in  b a t c h es 

; 

( b) 

c o n t r ol 

s y s t e ms   w i th   c o n t i n u o us 

f e e d b a ck  w h i ch  m o n i t or  a nd  a d j u st 

t he  

f l ow   of  m a t e r i a ls  a l o ng 

t h is 

s y s t em 

; 

( c) 

r e m o te  c o n t r o l l ed  or  p r e - p r o g r a m m ed  d e l i v e ry 

t r o l l e ys 

; 

( d) 

c o l l e c t i on  d e v i c es  w h i ch  a s s e m b le 

t o g e t h er 

c o m p o n e n ts

f r om   m o re 

t h an 

o ne  

f l ow   c h a n n el  a nd  p r e s e nt 

t he 

r e s u l t i ng  s et  c o n v e n i e n t ly 

to 

t he 

n e xt  p r o c e s s i ng  s t a ge  > 

( d)  d e v i c es 

to  a s s e m b le  a nd 

r e - o r i e n t a te 

s e ts  of  p a r t s, 

f or 

e x a m p le 

t u r n i ng   o ne  p i e ce  of 

f a b r ic  o v er  a nd  a l i g n i ng 

it 

c o r r e c t ly  on 

t he 

p i e ce  

to  w h i ch 

it 

is 

to  be  s e wn 

; 

( f) 

c o m p l e te 

" p i ck  a nd  p l a c e"  d e v i c es  w h i ch  c a r ry  o ut 

t he  e s s e n t i al 

o p e r a t i o ns  n ow  p e r f o r m ed  by 

t he  h u m an  o p e r a t or 

i . e. 

: 

 
-  92 

-

. 

i d e n t i fy 

two  or  more  p i e c es  or  p a r ts 

.  g r a sp 

them 

.  o r i e n t a te  

them 

.  put 

them 

t o g e t h er 

.  g r a sp  and  a l i gn 

t he  a s s e m b ly 

.  p l a ce 

t he  a s s e m b ly  c o r r e c t ly 

f or  s e w i ng 

. 

remove 

t he  sewn  component  and  f e ed 

to 

t he   n e xt  

t r a n s p o rt 

s t a t i on 

(g)  s i m p l i f i ed  " p i ck  and  p l a c e"  d e v i c es  r e s t r i c t ed 

to  one 

f a b r i c, 

f or 

e x a m p le 

in 

t u r n i ng  and  s e w i ng  t he  hem  of  a  g a r m e nt 

; 

(h)  v a r i o us  s u b s i d i a ry  e l e m e n ts  e s s e n t i al  or  u s e f ul 

to 

t he  d e v i c es  a l­

r e a dy  m e n t i o n ed 

: 

.  s e n s i ng  d e v i c es 

to 

r e c o g n i se  a   p a rt 

.  m a r k i ng 

t e c h n i q u es 

to  h e lp  s e n s i ng 

.  g r i p p i ng  d e v i c e s,  p i n s,  s u c t i o n,  m a g n e t s,  e t c. 

.  a l i g n i ng  d e v i c es 

to  put 

two  or  more 

f a b r i cs 

t o g e t h er 

in  a  s p e c i f ic 

r e l a t i o n s h ip  and  d i r e c t i o n. 

( i) 

r o b o t s,  c o v e r i ng  t he  " p i ck  and  p l a c e"  c o n c e pt  b ut

  w i th   much  b r o a d er 

i m p l i c a t i o ns 

in 

t he  s e n se  of  b e i ng  c a p a b le  of  b e i ng

  t a u g ht   s p e c i f ic 

s e q u e n ce   of  o p e r a t i o ns  and  c a p a b le  of  m o v i ng 

in  

t h r ee   d i m e n s i o n s. 

2.  S e w i ng  S t a t i on  T e c h n o l o gy 

The  work  e n v i s a g ed 

i n c l u d es  r e s e a r ch  and  d e v e l o p m e nt  on 

: 

(a)  p r o g r a m m a b le  s e q u e n c es  of  s e w i n g,  e x t e n d i ng 

t he  e x i s t i ng  a p p l i c a t i o ns 

; 

(b)  work  r e l a t ed 

to 

t he  a u t o m a t ic  s e w i ng  of  b a t c h es  of  p a r ts 

i n c l u d i ng 

a u t o m a t ic 

f e e d i ng  d e v i c es 

; 

( c) 

i n t e r c h a n g e a b le  s e w i ng  h e a ds  and  m u l t i - p u r p o se  s e w i ng  d e v i c es 

; 

(d)  m o v e a b le  s e w i ng  heads 

; 

(e) 

t h r ee   d i m e n s i o n al  s e w i ng 

; 

( f) 

s t i t ch 

t e c h n o l o g y,  new  s t i t ch 

t e c h n i q u es 

to  e n a b le 

j o i n i ng 

f r om  one 

s i de   o n ly 

; 

-  93 

-

(g)  s e w i ng  s t a t i on  o r g a n i s a t i on 

i n c l u d i ng 

: 

. 

t he  c o n t r ol  by  t he  o p e r a t or  of  s e v e r al  m a c h i n es  e a ch  c a r r y i ng 

o ut 

t he  same  o p e r a t i on  on  a  b a t ch  of  p a r t s , t he  o p e r a t or  s e l e c t i ng 

t he  c o r r e ct  programme 

f or  e a ch  m a c h i ne 

. 

t he  o p e r a t or  c o n t r o l l i ng  s e v e r al  m a c h i n es  e a ch  c a r r y i ng  o ut  a 

s e q u e n ce   of  o p e r a t i o ns 

3.  A l t e r n a t i ve   P r o c e s s es   and 

I n t e g r a t i on 

W i t h in 

t h is  b r o ad 

f i e l d, 

t he 

f o l l o w i ng  a re 

t he  p r i n c i p al  a r e as  of

  work 

f or  w h i ch 

r e s e a r ch  and  d e v e l o p m e nt  n e e ds  e x i st 

: 

(a)  p r o d u c t i on  of 

f i n i s h ed  p a t t e r ns 

f r om 

t he  d e s i g n e r 's  d r a w i n gs  or

  s p e c i­

f i c a t i o ns  by  t he  u se  of  m i c r o p r o c e s s o rs  to 

i n c l u de 

t he  c r e a t i on  of 

a ll 

t he 

r e q u i r ed   p a t t e rn   v a r i a t i o ns 

to  c o v er  v a r i o us  s i ze  r a n g es 

; 

(b)  o v e r a ll  o r g a n i s a t i on  of 

t he  m a n u f a c t u r i ng   p r o c e ss   p a r t i c u l a r ly   where 

t h is 

i n v o l v es  p r o g r e ss  t o w a r ds  Computer  A i d ed  M a n u f a c t u re 

; 

(c) 

r e s e a r ch  and  d e v e l o p m e nt 

in  a r e as  n ot  s p e c i f i c a l ly  r e f e r r ed 

to  above 

n o t a b ly  c u t t i n g, 

f i n i s h i ng  and  p a c k a g i ng  on  w h i ch 

f u r t h er  d e v e l o p m e nt 

may 

be  n e e d ed 

if  p r o g r e ss  t o w a r ds 

f u ll  s e q u e n t i al  a u t o m a t i on 

is 

to 

be  r e a l i s e d;   p r o c e s s es   w h i ch 

i n v o l ve  k e e p i ng  t he   m a t e r i al   on  t he 

r o ll 

u n t il  a  

l a t er   s t a ge  p a r t i c u l a r ly 

i n v o l v i ng  d e l ay 

in  c u t t i ng 

; 

(d)  work  on 

i n t e g r a t i on  of 

t he  m o d u l es 

i n to 

f u l ly  a u t o m a t ed  s y s t e ms 

; 

(e)  a l t e r n a t i ve   p r o c e s s es  

f or 

j o i n i ng 

i . e.  o t h er 

than  s e w i n g. 

4.  P i l ot  and  D e m o n s t r a t i on  P r o j e c ts 

(a) 

f u l l - s c a le  o p e r a t i on  of  p a r t i c u l ar  new   p r o c e s s es  

in  o r d er 

to  demon­

s t r a te   e c o n o m ic  f e a s i b i l i ty 

in  a  t y p i c al 

f a c t o ry  w o r k i ng  e n v i r o n m e n t; 

(b)  d e m o n s t r a t i on  of  c o m p l e te  s y s t e ms 

i n c o r p o r a t i ng  v a r y i ng  d e g r e es  of 

a u t o m a t i on  and  r o b o t i z a t i on 

.