Nanotechnology for Chemical Enterprises – how to link scientific knowledge to the business in the Central Europe space
It is worth pointing out that the word "nanotechnology" has become very popular and rightly so as if by rearranging atoms we can produce something completely different, number of possibilities is endless.  Nanotechnology currently underpins many practical applications (medical, Information and communication technologies, energy production, food-water, security, broad range of materials etc..) and has the potential to enhance quality of life and environmental protection, and boost industrial competitiveness.

Even if the knowledge in the field of nanosciences and the industrial application has been gradually increasing over the last 10 to 20 years in Europe, there is the necessity of a larger international cooperation and research’s coordination to overcome disciplinary boundaries, to fill the gap between more and less experienced regions and to turn investments in Research & Development (R&D) in industrial innovations. This is challenge for EU economy and also for the Central Europe regions: indeed, Europe’s main competitors are characterised by coordinated, centralised R&D programmes in nanotechnology and it appears unlikely that the EU, which is characterised by a relatively fragmented nanotechnology landscape, can remain competitive at world-level without better focussing and transnational coordination.

Hence, the general objective of NANOFORCE project is to foster the innovative nanotechnology sector network across Central Europe regions by bringing together public and private organizations (enterprises, research centres, venture capitalists and public institutions) to carry out collaborative & interdisciplinary researches on nanomaterial in the frame of REACH Regulation ( European Union regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & restriction of Chemicals)  and to turn the most promising laboratory results into innovative industrial applications. 