With the third call now closed, Science Link announces the preliminary results of the calls offering companies free access to scientific analysis at leading large-scale research facilities in the Baltic Sea Region.

The 47 approved applicants are now entitled to free consultation and support from scientists at the facilities prior to, during and after their experiment – support that will most probably enable the companies to take an important step in their R & D work. In all, Science Link has received 66 applications.

“We received nine applications during the first opening, increased to 21 during the second and received 36 applications during the third round. The joint efforts of local agencies, academic partners and the facilities have resulted in a good response amongst entrepreneurs.” says Marco Kirm, Responsible for the Calls of the project Science Link. ”The results prove that this type of marketing and support is needed in order to get more industrial users to access the facilities.”

The industrial categories with the highest representation amongst the applicants are the Construction and Engineering industry, Materials Science, and thirdly Life Science and Biotechnology.

“These results are positive and somewhat surprising” comments Marco Kirm, “Life Science companies are usually the most frequent customers at facilities, however now we prove that there is a market and demand also from other categories. The broad diversity of industries shows that there is a market potential for the facilities and also demonstrates the wide range of possibilities at facilities well suited for a variety of industries.”

“The results also reflect that engineering and development of new materials are important branches amongst SMEs in the Baltic Sea region.” he concludes.

22 of the applications are from Swedish companies, 14 from Polish companies and six are from Finnish and Lithuanian respectively. A smaller number of applicants are from the remaining countries in the region.

11 companies have applied and not been approved for scientific analysis at the research facilities but have instead been granted further consultations with local institutions and laboratories. Their R & D problems can probably be helped with simpler methods and tools.

The 47 approved companies are now engaged in consultations with the Industrial Liaison Officers to prepare for their experiments. The results of these experiments will be communicated gradually.

Max IV Laboratory, Lund Sweden, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron, Hamburg, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht are the four leading neutron and synchrotron facilities in Europe that offer free experiment time and consultation to the new customers.

Appendix 1: Pie Charts 1-3, Results for Science Link

For further information please contact: Dr. Marco Kirm, responsible for Calls, Science Link, marco.kirm@ut.ee, telephone +372 534 271 70 or
María Fernanda Bocángel, Communication Manager Science Link, mariaf.bocangel@skane.com telephone, +46 768 870 257

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