essenscia: Innovation is at the core of the Belgian Federation for Chemistry and Life Sciences Industries The chemicals and life sciences sector remains the undisputed leader in innovation. The amount spent on R&D in Belgian chemicals, plastics and pharmaceuticals almost doubled to € 4.5 billion in 2019, a new record, and life sciences (pharmaceuticals and biotechnologies) account for 90% of total R&D expenditures in the sector.
I
since last year. This comes as no surprise since Belgium is home to leading R&D’s centers with focus on sustainable innovation. Indeed, worldwide technical competence centers are part of the Belgian chemical cluster: BASF Antwerp, Evonik, Covestro, Soudal, AGFA, Solvay, INEOS, Eastman, ExxonMobil, P&G, Total, Dow Silicones, Prayon… to name only a few.
nnovation is the life blood of the chemical and life sciences industry. essenscia’s innovative research is therefore crucial to the development of new products, applications and services in the federation’s 10 strategic priorities: Circular Economy; Sustainable Development; Energy & Climate; Talent (Labour market, education and training); Social dialogue (Labour relations); Product safety (REACH - Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances, CLP - Classification, Labelling and Packaging of hazardous Products); Safety, Security, Health and Environment; Innovation & IPR; International Trade; and Infrastructure & logistics.
Numerous initiatives in the field of innovation Numerous initiatives have been launched by essenscia. In 2011 the federation created the essenscia Patent Cell for chemistry and life sciences in order to provide support to the chemical and life sciences companies, in particular SMEs, so as to protect their innovation. Various actions are being undertaken such as workshops, tailor-made advice, technology watch, communication actions… “How to optimize your IP portfolio?” and “Technical tools to develop and protect your intellectual property” are among the topics covered.
A quarter of Belgium’s private sector researcher population is working for the chemical, plastics and life sciences industry (about 7,800 full time equivalent qualified scientific researchers). That is why the Belgian pharmaceutical industry is highly R&Dintensive: according to EFPIA, it ranked second behind the United Kingdom in 2015 as regards R&D/production.
In 2016 Belgium was second in place in Europe with 1,399 clinical trials and 507 new applications. It also accounted for 20% of all clinical trials in the EU for cancer, 25% of all clinical trials in the EU for the digestive system and 23% of all clinical trials in the EU for virus diseases.
© essenscia
In this framework essenscia has set up a strong IP strategy since it is a key to the sector’s competitiveness. Since 2010 the number of patents doubled. Chemicals, pharmaceuticals and biotech account for one third of all Belgian patents. A new record was even reached in 2019 with 466 patents, an increaseof 14%
Scientific researchers at work
© essenscia
For its part, the biannual essenscia Innovation Award is the most prestigious prize for industrial innovation in Belgium. It was launched in 2012 and relies upon the support of the Patent Cell. With this competition essenscia aims to promote the many innovations in the Belgian industry and to encourage companies to invest even more in innovative and sustainable products and applications. Access to the competition is open to all industrial companies operating in Belgium. During the evaluation of the innovation projects the jury takes into account various criteria such as a clear link with chemistry, life sciences or materials, the contribution towards sustainable development, the strategy for intellectual property management and the value added for the Belgian economy. The winner is awarded a prize of € 30.000.
A European leader in clinical trials
Start-ups innovating in the BlueChem incubator for sustainable chemistry
26
