ReForm
Reference number | |
Coordinator | Lunds universitet - Kemiska institutionen |
Funding from Vinnova | SEK 400 000 |
Project duration | August 2013 - June 2014 |
Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
The ReForm Agenda aims at strengthening innovation, cross-sector research and education regarding formulations, that is, advanced chemical mixtures that give products with desired properties. Formulation Science has a key role in nearly all chemical and biotechnology industry, and the demand for sustainable, environmentally friendly and efficient formulations increases. The Agenda, developed in a dialogue between industry, academia and research institutes, provides a basis for future efforts on formulation development in Sweden.
Results and expected effects
The result is a thorough analysis and an Agenda for the area, with large and growing industrial support and support from leading players from academy and institutes. Work on the ReForm Agenda has led to a greater involvement and increased contacts between relevant actors, and an increased and widespread interest in national collaboration regarding formulations. One concrete result of the Agenda is an application for an SIO program, which went far in the process and was supported by more than 40 companies, organizations and academic environments.
Approach and implementation
The Agenda work was conducted through focus group interviews with the companies, a survey sent to the research groups, and seminars on, for example, the opportunities provided by new advanced research methods. Focus group interviews were based on open-ended questions that allowed companies to to focus on issues that they feel are important, and discussions between the actors have resulted in a breadth of the Agenda. Interviews, surveys and seminars have clearly shown that there are both needs and requirements for a cross-industry forum for the formulation issues.