Vinnova, the Swedish innovation agency, recently unveiled a proposal for a technology strategy tailored for Sweden, highlighting six key areas inspired by the European strategy. These areas hold significant interest and importance for Sweden, Europe, and our industry. However, the strategy falls short in detailing the actions necessary to achieve a successful circular transformation. It lacks clarity on which technologies Sweden can lead within Europe and how to forge alliances with global leaders.

While working on the strategy, Sweden faced one of its most severe industrial crises involving Northvolt, a key player in impactful innovation start-ups today. During my tenure with the company, I collaborated with other industry stakeholders to highlight the necessity of investing in advanced manufacturing and scaling up industrial processes. The good should be to position Europe for strategically important production by revitalizing its manufacturing capabilities and enhancing expertise across the union.

Asia has been a major hub for large-scale production of batteries and semiconductors. Over the past year or two, I have been promoting the establishment of new faculties at universities in Europe and North America, focusing on investment in training and research facilities. This strategy overlooks the significant challenges involved in starting advanced manufacturing facilities or scaling processes. We must prioritize investment in this area, rather than allowing it to be a mere footnote in material strategy discussions.

In Sweden, we will soon host two of the most advanced large-scale research infrastructures: MAX IV and ESS. MAX IV is a national laboratory with international investments, while ESS is a European facility. These significant investments require strategic planning to maximize their potential in research, development, and innovation. However, the current strategy lacks guidance on how to capitalize on these assets both domestically and internationally.

I sincerely hope the government is wise enough to disregard the current approach when introducing the research bill next week. Sweden requires a robust technology strategy, spearheaded by a dedicated core team within the government, to effectively navigate a complex and rapidly evolving landscape. This strategy should be grounded in future scenarios, outline a vision for Sweden’s global standing, and be adaptable to emergence. Moreover, it is crucial for experts from industry and academia to be actively involved and take ownership of the strategy’s development process.