Pan-European Digital Manufacturing Acceleration Programme

Europe’s manufacturing sector is the backbone of its economy, accounting for nearly 20% of the EU’s GDP and providing jobs to over 35 million people.  However, it faces growing challenges—from global supply chain disruptions and rising energy costs to skills shortages and intensifying international competition.

Digitising European industry is a critical driver of productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. Rapid adoption of digital technologies and the transformation of the EU’s industrial manufacturing base are essential for competing on equal terms with state-of-the-art factories worldwide. In AI, this is essential to close the gap between the current 17% adoption rate among EU firms and the EU’s 75% target by 2030.

Project scope:

• Drive the digital transformation of the EU’s industrial basis industry by equipping factories with automation and digital tools through a coordinated modernisation and investment programme.
• Accelerate AI application across industry to boost competitiveness and decarbonisation
• Establish a European Digital Manufacturing Innovation Network linking SMEs, large firms, researchers, and technology providers for collaboration and scale.
• Equip the existing workforce and attract new talent for industry’s digital transition by boosting cooperation between governments, education systems, and businesses.

KPIs by 2030:

• Achieve at least 50% AI adoption rate in Europe’s manufacturing sector.
• Number of factories integrating AI and data-driven services into core manufacturing processes.
• Number of workers reskilled or upskilled through digital training programmes in industrial sectors
• Common performance indicator to measure digitally enabled decarbonisation and sustainability.

ROIs by 2030:

• Increased productivity and competitiveness through digital transformation.
• Reduction in environmental impact via sustainable digital manufacturing practices.
• Job creation through the development and deployment of digital solutions.
• Increased resilience of the EU manufacturing ecosystem.