The CICECO Materials Observatory has been launched as a new initiative dedicated to providing independent, evidence-based analysis on scientific, technological and societal challenges related to materials: link here.

The announcement was made by João Coutinho, Director of CICECO, during the institutional presentation about his next mandate as director (from 2027-2031), marking the beginning of an initiative designed to connect CICECO’s scientific expertise with decision-making processes involving governments, industry, and society.

The Materials Observatory aims to bridge the expertise from CICECO and its partners to promote dialogue among stakeholders and translate scientific knowledge into accessible and actionable outputs, including Position Papers, Policy Briefs and expert reports addressing societal emerging challenges, .

Through this platform, the Observatory aims to contribute to discussions on the strategic role of advanced materials in areas such as technological development, industrial competitiveness, sustainability and innovation, providing scientific evidence to support political and economical decisions.

According to João Coutinho, director of CICECO, the Materials Observatory represents a step towards strengthening the connection between CICECO and the society by creating a platform where expertise from the materials community can contribute to strategic discussions and future policies: 

“The Materials Observatory aims to create a bridge between the scientific knowledge developed within academia and the strategic challenges faced by society, industry and policymakers.Through evidence-based analysis and collaboration among experts, we seek to contribute with an informed vision of the role of materials in innovation, sustainability and technological development”, explains CICECO’s director.

The first contributions published by the Observatory focus on the strategic importance of advanced materials for Portugal and Europe, addressing research priorities, industrial deployment, value chains and opportunities for strengthening innovation ecosystems.

Among the initial publications are:

• Advanced Materials as a Strategic Domain for AI²: Why Portugal should select advanced materials as a national priority for research and innovation, developed by CICECO, INL, i3N and CeNTI, proposing advanced materials as a strategic area for national research and innovation.

• Advanced Materials for the Industrialisation of Europe: Portugal’s Strategic Opportunity, by Paula M. Vilarinho, presenting a roadmap for leveraging Portugal’s scientific excellence and industrial capabilities to strengthen its position in the European advanced materials landscape.

• Advanced Materials Priorities – EU Gaps and Dependencies in Value Chains, by António Grilo and João Rocha, highlighting discussions from the European Commission’s Technology Council for Advanced Materials regarding value chains, criticality and industrial deployment.

• Future of Advanced Materials in Europe (FAME) Workshop Report: Overcoming Barriers to Uptake, Deployment, and Scale-up, by Paula M. Vilarinho, presenting recommendations to support Europe’s leadership in advanced materials through coordinated action in areas such as scale-up, regulation, investment and skills development.

For Paula M. Vilarinho, vice-director of CICECO, the initiative reinforces the importance of positioning advanced materials as a strategic domain for innovation, industrial competitiveness and sustainable development, highlighting the need for coordinated efforts between research institutions, industry and policymakers.

“Advanced materials are a key component of the technologies that will shape the future, from the energy and digital transitions to healthcare and sustainability. The Materials Observatory aims to contribute to this debate by identifying opportunities, challenges and priorities that can strengthen Portugal’s and Europe’s scientific and industrial capabilities,” concludes prof. Vilarinho.

By establishing the Materials Observatory, CICECO reinforces its role in promoting knowledge-based approaches to address emerging challenges and support the development of materials solutions with impact on society.