Stefano Toffanin

The European Technology Platform Photonics21 unites the majority of the leading photonics industries and relevant R&D stakeholders along the whole economic value chain throughout Europe. Today Photonics21 has more than 3,800 members. Photonics21 aims to establish Europe as a leader in the development and deployment of photonics technologies wihtin the various applications fields such as ICT, lighting, industrial manufacturing, life science, safety as well as in education and training. The ETP Photonics21 coordinates photonics research and innovation priorities and provides input to the European research framework programme Horizon Europe. The entry into the "photon century" requires a shared European initiative that enables industry and research to uphold their outstanding initiatives to explore the nearly limitless future applications of light and to reap the expected benefits in terms of creating both jobs and wealth. Many important European industries, from chip manufacturing and lighting, health care and life sciences, to space, defence and the transport and automotive sectors rely on the same fundamental mastery of light. Without strong European leadership in photonics technologies, these industries will be left vulnerable to strong competition from the USA and Asia. To achieve this leadership for the benefit of Europe and our citizens, an ambitious programme is required to: Supply the necessary research environment capable of supporting the visionnary and industrially relevant R&D activities for photonics components, systems and their application over a broad range of industry sectors; Establish strategic links between mainly SME-based photonics industries and principal user industries to share their long term vision and to mobilise a critical mass resources; Foster co-operation and smooth out the current fragmentation of national and European R&D activities.