Path to innovation: an Economic Complexity analysis of technological perspectives in the EU

Giambattista Albora (), Florence Benoit, Bernardo Caldarola (), Valentina Di Girolamo, Dario Diodato (), Lorenzo Napolitano () and Carla Sciarra ()
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Giambattista Albora: European Commission - JRC, https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/index_en
Bernardo Caldarola: European Commission - JRC, https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/index_en
Dario Diodato: European Commission - JRC, https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/index_en
Lorenzo Napolitano: European Commission - JRC, https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/index_en
Carla Sciarra: European Commission - JRC, https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/index_en

No JRC144431, JRC Research Reports from Joint Research Centre

Abstract: Over the past 25 years, the world has witnessed a significant surge in patenting activity, underscoring the crucial role of frontier technologies in driving economic growth and competitiveness. While the EU remains a leading global innovator, its competitive edge is under threat. To address this challenge, the EU must create a vibrant industrial ecosystem that nurtures innovation. Advanced Materials, with their potential to transform industries and enable breakthrough innovations, are a crucial component of this ecosystem, and offer a unique opportunity to strengthen the EU's economic growth, competitiveness, strategic autonomy, and digital and green transformation. This report is intended to lend support to the implementation of EU policies aimed at revitalising the EU economy – such as the forthcoming Advanced Materials Act – by identifying areas where Europe can enhance its technological leadership. The analysis is grounded in the Economic Complexity approach, which provides a framework to analyse the existing technological capabilities of the EU, and to identify untapped diversification opportunities for the Member States and their regions. The results of this report suggest that the EU leadership in many traditional technologies is threatened by rising innovation activities by its main competitors, mainly China and the US. To close its innovation gap, the EU can leverage its existing capabilities to enhance competitiveness in Advanced Materials, particularly in areas such as Biomaterials, Glass, and Cements.

Date: 2025-12
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-min and nep-sbm
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