Metallic materials

The strategic innovation program Metallic Materials  was a nationwide effort to carry into effect the joint research and innovation agenda, National Action for Metallic Materials. 

This program was based on the recognition that Sweden’s metal industry – steel, aluminium, cemented carbide, steel castings, cast iron and non-ferrous metal castings – constitutes a central pillar of the country’s economic life.  However, it was facing major changes owing to globalisation, increasing sustainability demands and technological advances.  

The background to the program was the industry’s insight that a comprehensive strategy was required to meet new market conditions and to strengthen its competitive edge. The first agenda had been developed by the industry’s stakeholders to focus research and innovation on those areas where Sweden had the potential to occupy a leading position internationally. 

Over the following years the world in which the industry operated changed fundamentally: trade conflicts increased, sustainability goals acquired greater importance, and the climate issue became ever more acute. At the same time, the industry was taking large strides forward, including integrating AI and additive manufacturing into the research and development work.  

Metallic Materials was established in the context of the strategic innovation programs of the funding agencies Vinnova, the Energy Agency and Formas. The initiative was adopted by Jernkontoret, Svenska Gjuteriföreningen and Svenskt Aluminium. At the turn of the year 2014–2015, the program was expanded when the Innovative Advanced Tooling (InnovAT) agenda was incorporated which linked tool and tool system suppliers to the program.  

The program’s implementation was built on an approach where the industry itself formulated its needs and the challenges it faced. The Metallic Materials program administered and updated the strategic agenda. It also mapped ongoing inputs nationally and internationally and ensured that relevant stakeholders were in contact with one another. Open calls in priority areas were implemented and projects supported that were important to achieve the agenda goals but were not suited for traditional calls for proposals. 

The program office monitored and quality assured projects, while the program board and a special agenda council was responsible for strategic decisions and alignment with the agenda.  

Through the programme, an extensive project portfolio was created which contributed to the development of new materials, more efficient processes and more sustainable production methods. Conferences, networks and digital platforms disseminated the results which strengthened the interaction between industry, the university sector and government agencies. 

All in all, Metallic Materials constituted an important national effort that pushed the Swedish metals industry towards greater innovation, sustainability and global competitiveness.