EURAMATERIALS

Their core work

EURAMATERIALS is a French materials innovation cluster based in Tourcoing (Hauts-de-France region) that bridges advanced materials research with industrial application. They support companies and researchers working on functional materials — from magnetic steels and laser processing to biodegradable packaging and smart textiles. Their role in EU projects centers on coordinating regional innovation ecosystems, connecting SMEs with research capabilities, and facilitating technology transfer in materials science across multiple application domains.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

EURAMATERIALS started with hard, functional materials — magnetic steels, laser processing, nanotechnology coordination — reflecting a traditional materials science focus (2015-2017). By 2019, their portfolio shifted toward sustainability and bio-based materials, with projects on biodegradable packaging and smart textiles. This pivot mirrors the broader European materials sector trend away from heavy industrial materials toward circular economy and sustainable alternatives.

EURAMATERIALS is moving from traditional industrial materials toward sustainable, bio-based, and functional textile materials — a trajectory that aligns well with the European Green Deal priorities and Horizon Europe calls.

How they like to work

EURAMATERIALS operates exclusively as a participant, never as coordinator, which is typical for a regional cluster or association that contributes network access and dissemination rather than scientific leadership. With 62 unique partners across 17 countries from just 4 projects, they plug into large, diverse consortia — averaging over 15 partners per project. This makes them a connector organization: useful for reaching the French regional industrial base and for cross-sector dissemination activities.

Despite only 4 projects, EURAMATERIALS has built a wide network of 62 partners across 17 countries, indicating they join large pan-European consortia. Their geographic reach spans broadly across EU member states rather than concentrating on any single region.

What sets them apart

EURAMATERIALS occupies an uncommon niche as a materials-focused cluster organization that spans from hard industrial materials (magnetic steels, laser processing) to emerging bio-based and textile materials. For consortium builders, their value is twofold: access to the Northern France industrial materials ecosystem and the ability to bridge multiple materials sub-domains under one partner. Their OTH (association) status and regional base make them a natural choice for dissemination, SME engagement, and technology transfer work packages.

Highlights from their portfolio

• smartX
  Largest funding (EUR 209,688) and most cross-disciplinary scope — combining smart textiles with entrepreneurship acceleration across regions and sectors.
• ESSIAL
  Longest-running project (2017-2022) with deep technical focus on laser-based structuring of electrical steels — a specialized industrial manufacturing process.
• USABLE PACKAGING
  Marks EURAMATERIALS' entry into the circular economy and biodegradable materials space, signaling a strategic pivot toward sustainability.