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Industrial clusters for net-zero technologies in the European Union

Client

Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) of the European Commission

Year

ongoing

Partner

G.A.G. Group, LSE Consulting


Industry must be decarbonised and the competitiveness of the European economy strengthened. Net-zero technologies and their components, which are currently net imports, are crucial for achieving climate neutrality by 2050. The European Commission's Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) of April 2024 creates a regulatory framework to strengthen European manufacturing capacity for net-zero technologies and their key components and remove barriers to scaling up production in Europe.

Conceptualisation of Net-Zero Acceleration Valleys

The aim of this study is to conceptualise the NZIA's initiative for industrial clusters in the field of net-zero technologies and to identify the challenges arising from it. For that, regulatory and political frameworks, financial requirements and administrative processes will be examined. Based on best practices and existing legal obligations, it aims to promote the emergence and scaling of such valleys across the EU, enabling the transition from vision to implementation.

Our approach

Prognos and its partners are conducting a comprehensive review of the existing regulatory, financial and administrative framework. To this end, we are conducting a survey and consultations with the NZIA Single Contact Points and relevant cluster stakeholders. The methodology includes:

  • Development of a conceptual framework for Net-Zero Acceleration Valleys, supplemented by best practices and success factors
  • Identification of regulatory measures to overcome existing barriers
  • Analysis of financial requirements and possible funding mechanisms, including the role of financial institutions
  • Review of administrative processes to identify efficiency potential
    Formulation of policy recommendations for the practical implementation of the clusters

Links and downloads

More information about the Net Zero Industry Act (commission.europa.eu) 

Project team: Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer, Anna Kronvall, Fabian Schmidt, Richard Simpson

Latest update: 07.08.2025 

Do you have questions?

Your contact at Prognos

Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer

Partner, Head of EU Services

View profile

Richard Simpson

Project Manager

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