Dr. Anna Sandak, InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM Materials research group leader and representative of the University of Primorska in the Technology Council for Advanced Materials of the European Commission, attended the Future of Advanced Materials Europe (FAME) workshop, held 26-27 November 2025, at the University of Aveiro in Portugal.

The FAME workshop featured two sessions. One session focused on the barriers that could slow or prevent the development, uptake, and deployment of advanced materials in Europe. It addressed challenges from the end user perspective, highlighted the importance of regulations and standards for improving market access and discussed how public procurement can encourage innovation. The other session examined the investment needs and scale-up challenges for advanced materials. Discussions emphasized the importance of aligning public and private funding, improving understanding between investors and innovators and ensuring that technical and infrastructural capacities support the transition from material discovery to industrial-scale production.

Advanced materials are essential for Europe’s technological leadership and economic resilience. Recognized as one of the EU’s ten critical technologies, they form the foundation of many strategic sectors. To support their development, the European Commission will introduce the Advanced Materials Act in 2026, providing a framework to accelerate innovation, streamline regulations, expand production capacities and promote a more sustainable and circular economy.