1. European Sustainable Chemical Support Service Final Conference 14th of September 2017 ECRN-Brussels
Ignacio Martín – CIRCE

2. Rationale behind the ESCSS
EU’s share of global chemicals production is decreasing in several segments
Europe is competing for attracting investments with other regions with feedstock advantages and higher market growth in Asia, Middle East and the USA
European regions well situated for mobilizing investments in field of sustainable chemistry
“Sustainable chemicals” is mainly understood as using non-fossil feedstock for chemicals production (Biomass, waste and gaseous industrial effluents)
European Commission selected six “Model Demonstrator Regions” (MDR) to receive advisory support services and show the way towards sustainable chemical production in Europe

3. ESCSS will
contribute to assess regional readiness for large scale industrial investments on sustainable chemicals
contribute to develop ambitious strategies in the EU regions to attract investment
provide advise to the regions that will facilitate the elaboration of bankable proposals for investment.
by providing advisory support services in 2 phases:
Phase I: Development of a self-assessment tool on sustainable chemicals production readiness of European regions.
Phase II: Technical assistance for the elaboration of bankable proposals for projects.
Time schedule: 20 months (kick-off 12th Feb 2016)
Contractor

4. The Six Model Demonstrator Regions (MDR)
Regions’ ambitions
Andalusia: develop bioeconomy in the region building on existing strong agrifood industry and well organized and structured chemical industry
Drenthe-Groningen: become a preferred location for investments in sustainable production of chemicals (intermediate chemicals, polymers and fibres) based on regional biobased feedstock
Ireland: capitalize on domestically available biomass residues and the repurposing of existing industrial site to produce biobased chemicals
Kosice: support and up-scale existing biorefinery project based on agricultural waste (straw) from Kosice and neighbouring regions
Scotland: to be recognised globally as a key high value sustainable manufacturing region building on 3 areas: industrial biotechnology, circular economy and green chemistry
Wallonia: reappropriation and sustainable conversion of the Walloon abandoned industrial sites to develop innovative projects of bioeconomy

5. Self-Assessment Tool (SAT)
Methodology to perform a first assessment of investment readiness level of a region regarding chemical production  to serve as a starting point for regional discussion on how to design better regional strategies
Issues considered:
Feedstock availability
Access to finance
Support institutions
Entrepreneurship
Infrastructures
Skilled workforce
Regional markets
Political support
Features:
Based on 8 factors  5-10 questions/factor
Implemented in user-friendly online survey tool in DG GROW website
Two questionnaires, one per type of feedstock (biomass, waste)
Answers will be weighted  results presented in spider diagram + modular conclusions
Database for EU regions to be kept within EC repository: benchmarking + average
Link: tool?

6. ESCSS supports the MDR by
providing advise for increasing the investment readiness level on sustainable chemicals production
Analysis of investment readiness of 6 MDR  application of SAT
Data gathering
SWOT analysis per each factor
Conclusions, potential actions  20 pages report to influence regional Master Plans
Organization of a two-day peer review meeting in each MDR
Participation of stakeholder regional representatives
Joint analysis of results of assessment and proposed actions
Provision of practical cases from good performing EU regions as inspiring examples
Provision of policy briefings on how to stimulate private investments per region
Practical examples

7. Analysis of investment readiness: Current picture

8. Policy briefings: meetings with key stakeholders at regional level

9. Policy briefings: the future pathways

10. Thanks for your attention – questions?