Clustering as a competitiveness factor - the case of Habitat Cluster in Portugal

Transcription

1 Clustering as a competitiveness factor - the case of Habitat Cluster in Portugal Victor Ferreira 2nd European Mortar Summit - Barcelona, Spain, 07/06/2013

2 Sustainable Habitat Cluster A network for the Habitat value chain: Raw materials Transformation in materials & products Construction Equipments Other suppliers The Portuguese Sustainable Habitat Cluster based its strategy in the concept that Sustainability could be an excellent driving force and challenge for Innovation and Competitiveness. Set in 2009 to develop a network of partners for the development of sustainable products, technologies and systems; Aiming to promote innovation projects and businesses using Cluster synergies to use Sustainability as a differentiation factor for Competitiveness; Will to establish recommendations for sustainable building and urban planning.

3 I. The Structure of the Cluster Cluster Managing Organization: Sustainable Construction Platform HQ: Curia Tecnoparque, Tamengos, Portugal Delegation: Civil Eng. Dept., Aveiro University, Aveiro, Portugal Tel: ; Fax: web: Age of cluster organization The Cluster Initiative in Portugal was promoted by the Government back in 2008 and Clusters strategy were first evaluated and then officially recognized in July/2009; Cluster management organization (Sustainable Construction Platform) formally started and was recognized in 2009 as the cluster manager, although it was founded in 2007 Main technological area: Construction&Building sector (with a focus on Sustainability and Eco-innovation)

4 I. The Structure of the Cluster Composition of the Cluster: Members Distribution: 71 industry, of which are 55 SME and 16 non-sme 22 R&D Institutions (Universities and Technological Centers) 2 Government agencies 20 Others: Industry associations (12); Other Associations (1); Municipalities (6); Engineers association (1) Total (in Dec. 2012) 115 committed members

5 I. The Structure of the Cluster 115 members (Dec./2012)

6 II. Cluster Program Work Plan: The Cluster Action plan started in Oct/2009 and has involved 3 anchor projects and a framework for companies-driven projects; Anchor projects set the fundamental support axis for the development of innovation projects; Strategic priorities were set for company driven projects;

7 II. Cluster Program Strategic priorities and Innovation projects Innovation Projects proposed and lead by companies to the national funding system (QREN) were fitted to the cluster collective strategy, grouping them in the following pre-defined areas: Development of Materials and products for a sustainable construction, Technologies and systems for a sustainable construction or conservation, Energy and environment performance, Efficient use of natural resources, Sustainable construction economy and management. 54 projects approved under the cluster strategy from Oct./09 until Dec./2012:

8 II. Cluster Program Action lines: A. Communication & information for the cluster: Communication in the Habitat cluster Website ( Newsletters Promotion of Associate members actions and projects Organization of seminars, workshops and cluster congress B. Promotion of Innovation, Business and Competitiveness Innovation projects promotion Market and Innovation studies Benchmarking Actions Partners search and business opportunities Dissemination of results and projects International cooperation and networking ECTP-E2BA (European Construction Technological Platform and Energy to Building Association) ECO Platform (EPDs operators network) Protocols with Clusters and other institutions

9 III. Sustainable Habitat Cluster Promotion Cluster Innovation Congress every 2 years - aimed to aggregate the cluster agents in order to promote their products, solutions and services, to generate partnerships. CINCOS 2008, 2010, 2012, Includes Workshops, Communications and Matchmaking event.

10 III. Sustainable Habitat Cluster Results Working groups (benchmarking/innovation/internationalization...) Benchmarking and Internationalization [e.g., 2011 e 2012 Ecobuild (UK); Valência (SP); Freiburg (GER) ];

11 III. Sustainable Habitat Cluster Results Other projects (POVT/QREN) (Partnerships for Urban Restoration) Urban centre of the future Águeda Support on urban centre restoration Sustainable park of Aveiro Aveiro Support in the transformation of an urban area (the city Park) Water efficiency model for buildings and public spaces Aveiro region Support on the development of a water efficiency evaluation model (blog: eficienciahidrica.wordpress.com)

12 III. Sustainable Habitat Cluster Results Agueda Concept - An example of clustering (Tektónica 2012, )

13 III. Sustainable Habitat Cluster Results Highlights : Building up of the Sustainable Habitat Cluster Since its foundation in 2007 (23 members) the cluster grew to 54 members in 2009 achieving 115 members in Despite the complex situation brought by the 2008 crisis in the construction sector, several collective projects were launched and working groups were assembled. The Habitat Cluster Anchor project This project was able to enhance networking in the cluster. Participation of cluster members in the build-up of the cluster Vision for the Future. A strategic diagnosis was performed and a pilot program was set that enabled to elaborate the future plan ( ). Setting up Projects The cluster organization has set up several collective projects some examples:

14 IV. Sustainable Habitat Cluster projects Sustentability Seal An award for companies and other cluster members to recognize good practices in terms of sustainability, giving national and international visibility. Based on several social, environmental and economic criteria that reveals the effort for sustainability.

15 IV. Sustainable Habitat Cluster projects Project DAPHabitat : ( PARTNERS Objectives: To develop and manage the Portuguese EPD registration program for materials and products for the Habitat; To eliminate eventual export barriers to national products; To meet the requirements of EN15804:2012 (european new standard on PCR for construction products) (01/06/ /02/2013) Sustainable Habitat Cluster project (SIAC 18653/2011)

16 IV. Sustainable Habitat Cluster projects Project IntoFP7 : Objectivo: To promote and support portuguese SMEs of the Habitat cluster, together with other entities (RTD partners and others) in FP7 calls; (01/07/ /06/2014) Applications submitted to different calls of Cooperation FP7 program (NMP/ENV/ICT) and other calls like Smartcities and Research for SMEs; Promotion and awareness actions foreseen until June 2014; Sustainable Habitat Cluster project (SIAC 27357/2011)

17 IV. Sustainable Habitat Cluster projects Bronze Label Europe Excellence Initiative: - for a network of European clusters

18 V. Sustainable Habitat Cluster The cluster collective strategy and its working groups: New demands require new products and services Internacionalization & Business Ecoinnovation & Industrialization Sustainable cities & territories

19 Conclusion Habitat Cluster: A partner for internationalization, business and innovation Promotion of companies and other members projects, products and services [Sustainability Innovation Competitiveness] + Information: centrohabitat@centrohabitat.net