DIGITALEUROPE’s Declaration to ensure the EU is a world leader in Digital Manufacturing

2. Create the infrastructure for the free flow of data

We endeavour to cooperating with EU institutions and governments in increasing the free flow of data both in the EU and internationally. Data is critical for economic growth of the manufacturing sector. It will feed into the development of important innovation in new technologies such as AI algorithms and new digital services. We therefore encourage Member States to work with our sector to develop a compatible and interconnected infrastructure for data exchanges through a secure pan-European architecture system. As European manufacturers are now international by nature, we should not neglect the importance of exportability of EU systems to be able to integrate at an international level.

3. Generating and enhancing investment and public funding

We endeavour to the successful implementation of the Digital Europe and Horizon Europe funding programmes. Both funding mechanisms are key in developing the deployment of new technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), high performance and high resilient connectivity, and infrastructure in key areas. These include access to high-performance computing, cybersecurity competence centres, Digital InnovationHubs and AI algorithm databases to stimulate the creation of local economic actors and tomorrow’s unicorns.

4. Reskilling and upskilling its workforce to embrace digital production processes

We endeavour to reskilling and upskilling our workforce. The area of a workforce with digital skills is missioncritical for the EU’s growth and to mitigate any impact on job losses caused by the digital transformation. The EU, national governments and educational institutions should collaborate with our industry to deliver an assessment on the skills gap in each Member State and define solutions.

5. Accelerating sustainability through industrial technology

We endeavour to investing in innovation to drive sustainable solutions. Technology is rapidly maturing and advancing to reduce waste, material usage and energy needs. Member State governments can play a more crucial role in developing the necessary programmes for ensuring a fully circular EU economy.

The European manufacturing sector can reinforce its leadership position by combining digital and clean technologies. Typically, a digital twin can ensure process and product sustainability by tracking its life cycle from the design to the recycling stages. Other key examples include the creation and uptake of waste management systems, and accelerating research and design of less carbon-intensive materials. This would help reduce energy consumption and reducing the exploitation of raw materials. Industry and governments should rapidly devise common methodologies to measure these benefits.

6. Developing a digital ecosystem

We endeavour to the development of a digital ecosystem connected to ‘digital factories’. The European Commission has begun a process to create digital factories. The next EU budget and European Commission mandate will be critical to its success. In cooperation with governments we propose a dialogue with industry on the development of funded pilots with the objective to create large scale digital operations and a start- up community to support it.