Cluster
1. The industry in NRW
Thanks to its thematic width, the nanomicro+materials cluster possesses specific characteristics which cannot be compared with any other NRW cluster. The cluster includes several interdisciplinary technologies, which are involved in practically every industry and can therefore exert a tremendous lever effect for the NRW business location. In view of the great variety of content and wide industry effect, and against the background of global developments, it is crucial for research institutions and companies in NRW to recognise opportunities for research or market leadership and to develop their own strengths accordingly. Of particular importance here is the best possible integration and networking of all actors in the added value chain with the aim of realising the synergy potential of the technologies in the various industries' interesting products and services. The cluster concept includes the measures required to achieve these aims and make NRW into the pre-eminent innovator in the area of nano-, micro- and optical technologies, as well as in innovative materials and system integration.
2. Goals and tasks of cluster management
The higher aim of cluster management is to make North Rhine Westphalia the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economic area in Germany by focusing on four key themes in the field of nano-, micro- and material technology. This includes the creation of an environment that promotes and accelerates innovation as well as sharpening the international profile in order to attain an internationally visible leading position in these fields. An additional aim is to reinforce and position the business and science sectors in equal measure and manage and optimise the transfer between the two in the interests of enhanced added value. The cluster must provide for the long-term sustainability of the technological fields in the sense that it commits itself both to training outstanding scientific and technical new blood as well as to promoting further education in the interests of lasting protection and creation of jobs in NRW.
The consortium of eight NRW initiatives represents a major section of the players in NRW and has set itself the goal, through the integration of additional, as yet unrepresented leading players and networks, of utilising the innovative power of all players and making this power available to all. This includes the consortium being open to constructive cooperation with all companies or organisations that wish to participate in the development and reinforcement of the cluster.
3. Main focus of the work and cluster projects
The work of cluster management is centred around four key themes. The first key theme is making information on existing technological potential and industry needs accessible and developing efficient and binding communication platforms between technology developers and NRW key industries.
The second key theme is intensifying the dialogue between educational institutions on the one hand and companies and industry representatives on the other to develop new knowledge fast enough and render it economically utilisable.
The third key theme in cooperation with the NRW industry clusters and technological networks is identifying markets and technological priorities in which there is a critical mass in company and technological potential in NRW so as to focus private and public investments on these areas.
The fourth key theme, apart from the customary information materials and presentation forums, is developing new marketing strategies and instruments that make a targeted appeal to customers and investors for NRW technology developers and producers.
4. Cluster highlights
5. Regional clusters and networks in NRW
The consortium consists of the partners
- www.centech.de
- www.bioanalytik-muenster.de
- www.cenide.de
- www.wefo.rwth-aachen.de
- www.matecnet.de
- www.innozentowl.de
- www.photonaix.de
- www.optech-net.de
Additional participants are:
- www.ivam.de
- www.formeta.de
- www.mst-factory.com
- www.stahl-online.de/stahl_zentrum/stahl_zentrum.asp
- www.vditz.de
 | Cluster management |
