Public entities and large private companies have already been involved in the first phase of the project, with the role of guiding the companies of the Italian manufacturers towards a technological, innovative and sustainable transformation.
Flagship plants are part of the latest proposal made to the italian ministry: smaller than the lighthouse plants, they would have the aim of becoming a reference point for small and medium-sized businesses.
The flagship plants will aim to become a point of reference for small and medium-sized businesses.
«The lighthouse plants have fulfilled their commitment to be demonstrators,» explained Manuelli, «but SMEs have different logics than large companies». According to Manuelli, in order to be closer to the world of small and medium-sized enterprises, «a hundred flagship plants» are therefore needed, of which thirty or forty in the coming years.
«On the occasion of the elaboration of the 2015-20 Italian Research Plan, a roadmap of technological innovation of the manufacturing sector was developed. In this phase – continues Manuelli – we supported Miur in an initial elaboration of the new draft of the national research plan 2021-27, which will address all the main areas of development of technological innovation in alignment with Horizon Europe».