The Group of Experts in Energy-Intensive Industries in the Enterprise Europe Network focuses on fostering the sustainability and competitiveness of industries that consume significant energy resources, such as steel, chemicals, and cement. Comprising a network of professionals, specialists, and industry practitioners, our group is committed to promoting collaboration, innovation, and sustainable practices across Europe. This group of experts covers chemicals, steel, paper, plastics, mining, extraction and quarrying, refineries, cement, wood, rubber, non-ferrous metals, glass, ceramics. These industries supply intermediate products to each other and to many downstream sectors of the economy, are closely integrated with energy providers as well as with the waste and recycling industries due to their need for secondary raw materials.
How we work
We operate through a cohesive network of expert advisers who foster connections between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the resources they need to thrive. By organising both online forums and on-site meetings, we maintain a robust dialogue among our members, encourage active participation, and facilitate the exchange of best practices. We leverage a rich mapping of stakeholders and support services from the regional level to deliver comprehensive insights into initiatives focused on scaling up and sustainability.
We can help you with:
- finding technologies/solutions to reduce your dependencies to fossil energy
- boosting your competitiveness thanks to biobased materials
- introducing you to the right international partners
- identifying funding for the energy intensive industries
Initiatives
Biotech Hub Task Force & EU Technological Transfer Organisations Mapping
The Commission launched in January 2025 a new Biotech and Biomanufacturing Hub to support SMEs and start-ups to increase their competitiveness and reduce their dependencies to fossil energies.
A task force led by the Energy Intensive Industry working group in partnership with Health & Agrofood working groups has started in 2025 an EU Mapping of research infrastructures able to support biotech/biomanufacturing R&D. Companies will find practical information. It will be accessible on-line on the Hub portal.
Related content
On the French Côte d'Azur, halfway between the legendary beach towns of Cannes and Antibes, you do not just find tourists and movie stars. In the busy Sophia Antipolis science park, two engineers, Sabri Takali and Ahmed Kacem, are working hard on decarbonising Europe. They are the founders of Plenesys, a company that wants to change how we make hydrogen.
Previously constrained by the limitations of its domestic dealings, Turkish-used tyre recycling company BRP Petro Kimya has now formed international ties and expanded its business, all thanks to support from the Enterprise Europe Network.
Radius Machining, an Estonian family business, is a key player in the country’s manufacturing scene. Starting in a small Viimsi garage in 2003, the company’s rapid growth led to a new factory in Peetri by 2016 and the formal establishment of the Radius Group in 2020.
Inspired by diverse natural materials, two European companies, Europack Bulgaria and Myco, Czechia, have embarked on their own unique journeys towards a more eco-friendly and sustainable future with invaluable support from the Enterprise Europe Network.