The BEAGLE project is designed as an innovation funnel that connects industry needs with research capacities and gradually narrows a broad range of ideas into implementable projects. The expected outcome is approximately 40 project proposals, from which 20 final innovation projects with action plans will be selected.
The Association of the Chemical Industry of the Czech Republic (SCHP CR) participates in the project as an active industrial partner, particularly in the identification of so-called innovation market niches. In this phase, the Association proposed five market niches reflecting the needs and potential of both the Czech and European chemical industry, two of which advanced to the next stage of the project. These proposals focused on areas with high innovation potential, such as renewable energy, the use of artificial intelligence in industrial processes, carbon capture and utilization technologies, and principles of the circular economy.
The project included two open calls. The first was aimed at industrial stakeholders and focused on collecting innovation inputs. SCHP CR actively contributed to this phase by engaging industrial “makers” who formulated specific innovation demands based on real industrial needs. At the same time, the Association participated in the preparation of so-called “video fact sheets,” which clearly presented individual innovation ideas and served as a basis for their further development. This was followed by a second call targeting the academic sector, whose objective was to propose concrete solutions to these challenges and establish collaboration with industrial partners.
In the subsequent phase of the project, SCHP CR will acts as an evaluator of selected innovation projects during matchmaking process of 40 project proposals. It will contribute to the experts assessment of five projects. In this role, SCHP CR directly influences the selection of innovations with the highest application and market potential.
An important part of SCHP CR’s activities is also facilitating cooperation among project partners through workshops, consortium meetings, and networking activities. These efforts support effective knowledge sharing and the creation of long-term partnerships across Europe.
SCHP CR’s involvement in the BEAGLE project is therefore not only coordinative but also substantive and decision-making in nature. The Association contributes to defining new market opportunities, influences the selection of promising projects, and supports their transformation into concrete innovation initiatives. This enables Czech chemical companies to actively participate in European innovation structures, gain access to new technologies, and help shape the future direction of the industry.
The BEAGLE project thus represents a concrete example of how targeted cooperation between industry and academia can lead to the identification of new markets and the development of innovations with real application and investment potential.
Authors: SCHP team