The results of the Pilot Action of Saxony-Anhalt under the Interreg Europe S3Chem project are now available. The objective of the Pilot Action was to present all funded projects in the chemistry and bioeconomy market during the funding period 2014-2020 in a transparent, easy and accessible way. The results are presented in the “Innovation Projects in the Lead Market Chemistry/Bioeconomy of Saxony-Anhalt in the Funding Period 2014-2020” report, providing all information about the innovation activities in the region and present key areas and actors in research and development. The document should further stregthen cooperation in Saxony-Anhalt region but also on a Germany-wide and European level.

The promotion of innovation in chemical related areas is an important objective of Saxony-Anhalt and the INTERREG-EUROPE-S3Chem partner regions Masovia, Limburg, Lombardy, Catalonia, Asturias and Wallonia. All regions have highlighted this topic in their Regional Innovation Strategies as basis for European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) innovation funding from 2014 to 2020. Chemical innovations are important for many downstream industries and help to find solutions for societal challenges in areas such as new materials, energy, alternative feedstock, etc.

The S3Chem project (2014-2020) aimed to improve the implementation of the Regional Innovation Strategy of Saxony-Anhalt 2014-2020 (RIS) with focus on chemical related topics with the help of interregional exchange of experience and mutual learning between public authorities from seven European chemical regions.In the framework of the project, the partners aimed to change the strategic focus of their policy instruments based on good experiences from the whole partnership. In order to implement the project’s objectives, the S3Chem project is financed by ERDF in the framework of the INTERREG EUROPE programme.

Saxony-Anhalt promotes the research and development of companies and research institutions within the framework of the “Research&Development” directive, which is financed by the ERDF and regional funds. The funding is based on the lead markets defined in the Regional Innovation Strategy. In the framework of the S3Chem project, the lead market of chemistry/bioeconomy was of particular interest. Due to the economic importance of the chemical industry in Saxony-Anhalt, this lead market plays a special role in the innovation landscape.