Nearly 400 additional offers for business in research, products, and services, new clients, higher profits and commercialization revenues, as well as the focused work of 4,500 scientists and engineers in strategic areas — this is how the Łukasiewicz Research Network summarizes its two years of activity in support of an innovative economy.
Nearly 400 additional offers for business in research, products, and services, new clients, higher profits and commercialization revenues, as well as the focused work of 4,500 scientists and engineers in strategic areas — this is how the Łukasiewicz Research Network summarizes its two years of activity in support of an innovative economy.
The creation of Łukasiewicz has transformed the landscape of innovation in Poland. Łukasiewicz Institutes operate in a planned and coordinated manner within research groups that address research directions indicated by the Council of the Center and identified as key to achieving the objectives of the Strategy for Responsible Development. These include smart and clean mobility, digital transformation, health, and sustainable economy and energy. Łukasiewicz develops research programs that guide scientists’ work toward areas strategic for the growth of the economy and society.
Łukasiewicz is part of the national innovation support system and actively contributes to increasing the interest of Polish enterprises in investing in research and development.
The government’s Strategy for Responsible Development identifies, among its key goals, sustainable economic growth based on knowledge, data, and organizational excellence. Its implementation relies on promoting innovation and integrating the results of new initiatives into the economy. Hence, the growing number of tools for entrepreneurs seeking innovation — such as the R&D tax relief, IP Box, or the simple joint-stock company. The support system also includes programs for innovative companies such as Start in Poland and the Future Industry Platform, as well as the reorientation of scientific institutions toward business — said Jarosław Gowin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Development, Labor, and Technology.
The establishment of Łukasiewicz has significantly expanded the market reach of the Institutes’ offer, enabling the creation of business proposals covering the entire technological chain. Operating as a networked organization has also increased Łukasiewicz’s ability to secure funding for its activities and opened up new research and commercialization opportunities for its scientists and engineers.
Barriers to implementing innovation still include insufficient links between enterprises, research organizations, and higher or vocational education. Another challenge is the need to increase the number of pilot projects that facilitate the implementation of advanced technologies in the economy. “And this is our top priority, clearly defined in the adopted National Recovery Plan,” said Wojciech Murdzek, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Education and Science.
Fast and aasy solutions for business
Łukasiewicz provides enterprises with comprehensive and competitive technological solutions. A great example of a systemic mechanism fostering collaboration between science and business is the Łukasiewicz Challenges program. Through this innovative formula, any company — regardless of size or ownership structure — can submit a technological challenge via the form available at www.lukasiewicz.gov.pl.
Within 15 business days, Łukasiewicz delivers alternative project proposals addressing the challenge, along with recommendations for expert teams and available R&D infrastructure. If the solution already exists within Łukasiewicz (such as certification or standardized testing services), it is offered to the company within just 7 business days. The Łukasiewicz Challenges program can also help identify potential funding sources for research from national or international programs. Łukasiewicz experts support applicants in preparing submissions to these identified funding calls.
“The interest in Łukasiewicz’s offer has exceeded our boldest expectations. In the first quarter of this year alone, the number of challenges submitted by enterprises was comparable to that of the entire year 2020. Since the program’s launch, we have already submitted nearly 400 offers for research, products, and services. But that’s still not enough — we want to continue developing Łukasiewicz and build a research potential that will translate into an increasing number of innovative implementations in the Polish economy,” said Piotr Dardziński, President of the Łukasiewicz Research Network.
Despite the challenges of the pandemic year 2020, the Łukasiewicz Institutes achieved a combined net result of PLN 67.6 million, nearly a 20-fold improvement compared to 2019. With a slight 0.4% decrease in revenues (totaling PLN 1.375 billion), this strong performance was driven by a 3.7% reduction in costs. In 2020, the Institutes received PLN 274.75 million in subsidies and PLN 15 million in targeted grants.
The Łukasiewicz team and innovative business
During the official event marking the second anniversary of the network’s establishment, attended by Deputy Prime Minister Jarosław Gowin and Minister Wojciech Murdzek, Łukasiewicz recognized its most dedicated employees, granted a special award for a COVID-related project, and honored its most active business partners.
Awards were presented to Anna Szerling from the Łukasiewicz – Institute of Microelectronics and Photonics, and Andrzej Noskowiak from the Łukasiewicz – Institute of Wood Technology — hosts of the largest number of challenges and creators of a comprehensive offer for business — as well as to the project and research team from the Łukasiewicz – Institute of Tele- and Radiotechnology, the Łukasiewicz – Institute of Biopolymers and Chemical Fibers, and the Łukasiewicz – Institute of Polymers and Dyes, for designing and launching a production line for medical masks made exclusively from Polish materials.
Łukasiewicz will support the awardees’ participation in a conference or training of their choice to further strengthen their scientific and professional competencies.
For courage in taking on challenges and skillfully using the potential of Polish science to build a modern Polish brand, Dawtona was recognized. Steico was honored for consistently setting trends and its openness to innovation.
