European Industry Research Articles

Unveiling business environment and digital entrepreneurial activity in the European tourism industry

Unveiling business environment and digital entrepreneurial activity in the European tourism industry

Can the European nuclear power industry compete with the Chinese nuclear power industry?

European commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton, told Le Journal du Dimanche in January 2022, “Existing nuclear plants alone will need 50 billion euros of investment from now until 2030. And new generation ones will need 500 billion”. This paper considers whether these values are realistic. Further, it asks whether these investments would yield an internationally competitive European nuclear power infrastructure given that the nuclear power industries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development member countries have lost global nuclear market share to Russian and Chinese firms since 1995.The paper investigates whether the European nuclear industry even with massive investment can compete with the Chinese nuclear industries. It concludes that the European (in particular, the French) nuclear power industry will be unlikely to be cost competitive with the Chinese nuclear power industry unless financing and new plant orders are immediately forthcoming. To achieve carbon neutrality, the issue becomes whether European Union countries can afford indigenous nuclear technologies or will need to import nuclear power plants from Asia.

Central-Eastern Europe as a centre of Middle Ages extractive metallurgy

Central-eastern to southeastern Europe, from Bohemia to Greece is home to some of the richest ore deposits on earth, with archaeological evidence suggesting a long history of metal use. However, the exact timing and extent of past metal processing activities remains unclear. The Middle Ages and Early Modern period (c. 500–1800 common era (CE)) in Europe, saw the expansion of metal use at an unprecedented scale, continent-wide. Here we analysed rates of past atmospheric lead (Pb) deposition in six peat bogs from Romania, Serbia and Greece. We show that after 1000 CE, the redevelopment of central European mining industry was synchronous with Pb pollution in southeastern Europe, with the onset of metal pollution occurring in the area prior to central Europe. Therefore, southeastern Europe may have led regional mining developments, with technological advances rapidly shifting from east to west through the Middle Ages. This indicates how southeastern Europe should be included in future discussions of Middle Age metallurgy not simply as a contributor, but at times as a leader in metal production.

The European Passive Fund Industry: A Darwinian Perspective

The European Passive Fund Industry: A Darwinian Perspective

Decarbonizing European Industry: A Novel Technology to Heat Supply Using Waste and Renewable Energy

This study examines the potential for the smart integration of waste and renewable energy sources to supply industrial heat at temperatures between 150 °C and 250 °C, aiming to decarbonize heat demand in European industry. This work is part of a European project (SUSHEAT) which focuses on developing a novel technology that integrates several innovative components: a Stirling cycle high-temperature heat pump (HTHP), a bio-inspired phase change material (PCM) thermal energy storage (TES) system, and a control and integration twin (CIT) system based on smart decision-making algorithms. The objective is to develop highly efficient industrial heat upgrading systems for industrial applications using renewable energy sources and waste heat recovery. To achieve this, the specific heat requirements of different European industries were analyzed. The findings indicate that industrial sectors such as food and beverages, plastics, desalination, textiles, ceramics, pulp and paper, wood products, canned food, agricultural products, mining, and chemicals, typically require process heat at temperatures below 250 °C under conditions well within the range of the SUSHEAT system. Moreover, two case studies, namely the Pelagia and Mandrekas companies, were conducted to validate the effectiveness of the system. An analysis of the annual European heat demand by sector and temperature demonstrated that the theoretical potential heat demand that could be met by the SUSHEAT system is 134.92 TWh annually. Furthermore, an environmental impact assessment estimated an annual significant reduction of 19.40 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. These findings underscore the significant potential of the SUSHEAT system to contribute to the decarbonization of European industry by efficiently meeting heat demand and substantially reducing carbon emissions.

Drivers and Impact of European Defence Market Integration: A Literature Meta-Synthesis with Economic Focus

ABSTRACT The Ukraine war, the aftermath of COVID-19, Brexit and shifting US geostrategic interests are putting pressure on the European defence situation, strategy and budgets. The current crises expose warfare capability gaps in the European armed forces and capacity constraints of the European defence industry after decades of the peace dividend. More nations are calling for stronger engagement of the EU in the defence sector to overcome these challenges and complete the European defence sector integration that started in the late 1990s. It is estimated that more cooperation in defence procurement and research could save up to 30% of the current €290 bn total EU27 defence budgets. Can this combination of recent factors provide new impulses towards a unified European defence market, more cooperation on defence procurement and industry consolidation? We conducted a literature review (‘meta-synthesis’) of 172 journal articles, studies and think-tank papers since 1995 to build a holistic picture. The analysis aims to describe the progress and challenges of European defence market integration from an economic viewpoint. It provides future researchers with a basic understanding of defence industrial challenges, motivations and economic drivers of European defence integration as well as of reasons for resistance and potential scenarios.

An eco-efficient European metal industry transition towards Circular Economy

The European metal industry can minimize carbon and energy intensity through Circular Economy (CE) solutions in order to achieve the Agendas’ 2030; 2050 targets. This paper evaluates the eco-efficiency in 21 European countries using hybrid window data envelopment analysis (WDEA) across two scenarios. The study compares short- and a meso-term policies by choosing different window widths. Inputs include gross fixed capital formation (GFCF), labor force, and energy intensity value added, with value added as desirable output and carbon intensity value added as undesirable output. Results show that the meso-term policy yields an average eco-efficiency of 47%, while the short-term policy achieves 55%, suggesting that short-term strategies are more effective for the metal industry in reaching the Net-Zero goals. Geographically, Western and Northern Europe exhibit better eco-efficiency than Eastern and Southern Europe. In essence, the European metal industry can reach a Net-Zero status through deep CE transformations in energy and carbon intensity via cleaner production.

Microbiological stability of Hermetia illucens meal subjected to two different heat treatments

The use of processed insect proteins for poultry and pig feed has been authorized since August 2021 (Regulation EU, 2021/1372). It has been already authorized for aquaculture since 2017 (Regulation EU, 2017/893). The adoption of this Regulation has boosted the European insect industry. However, there is currently little information regarding the evaluation of the shelf-life of insect-based feeds. The present work analyzed meals of Hermetia illucens that underwent two different treatments. The first treatment involved pre-sterilization at 80 °C for 2 h, and after that the larvae were subjected to treatment at 65 °C. The second treatment consisting in a heat treatment at 65 °C without pre-sterilization. The analysis performed for specific microbiological parameters, such as presence of β-glucuronidase positive Escherichia coli, Enterobacteriaceae, colony count at 30 °C, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, coagulase-positive Staphylococcus, yeasts and moulds, did not reveal any concerns about bacteria counts or pathogen presence.

A Regulatory‐Developmental Turn Within EU Industrial Policy? The Case of the Battery IPCEIs

The European automotive industry is transitioning from combustion engines to electric vehicles but lags behind international competitors. This geoeconomic competition has contributed to the revival of industrial policy in the EU. However, EU competition policy restricts more vertical industrial policy approaches. In this context, the Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEIs) have emerged as a novel governance tool. This article examines this transformation in EU industrial policy by focusing on the Battery IPCEIs. The article includes an in-depth case study of the Battery IPCEIs, using secondary literature and 11 expert interviews. It concludes that IPCEIs represent a gradual regulatory-developmental turn within EU industrial policy by drawing on developmental state theory in a European context, critical EU integration literature, and global production networks research. In response to geoeconomic competition and the region’s lack of productive capacities, the EU is indirectly facilitating the development of European battery innovation and production networks by issuing direct state aid at the national level. However, the EU’s participation in the subsidy race and the global green-tech race via “green” industrial policy indicates only a partial shift in the relationship between states and markets.

Board gender equality and ESG performance. Evidence from European banking sector

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between board gender equality and environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance in the European banking sector. The study examines whether and how the presence of women on the board of directors (BoD) influences ESG dimensions.Design/methodology/approachThe authors analyzed a sample of 72 European Union banks for the period 2015–2021 and developed an econometric model applying unbalanced panel data regression with firm fixed effects and controls per year. To test the research hypotheses, the authors considered gender equality in terms of female participation on the BoD and measured ESG dimensions by using the ESG score provided by Refinitiv.FindingsThe findings suggest a significant positive relationship between the number of women on BoD and the ESG performance of European banks only up to a certain threshold of female directors (at least three women). The study also explores how the proportion of women on BoD influences the individual ESG pillars. The results show that the percentage of female directors has a positive and statistically significant impact on the social dimension of the ESG framework.Research limitations/implicationsThe investigation is highly relevant to investors considering ESG issues in their decision-making process. The overall findings support policymakers and regulators on how to improve ESG performance through the design and the application of corporate governance (CG) mechanisms. From a managerial perspective, the study suggests that managers and CEOs should focus their efforts on establishing the right gender combination of directors on bank BoDs.Originality/valueThis paper offers an in-depth examination of the CG practices of banks, and it attempts to bridge the gap in prior literature on the determinants of ESG issues in the European banking industry. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first that investigates the relationship between the representation of women on BoDs and the ESG dimensions measured by the Refinitiv Eikon score. The use of critical mass theory adds a fresh perspective to the literature on ESG in Europe since the influence of board gender diversity on ESG performance of the European banks is still unaccounted for. This study addresses this pressing research issue drawing on resource dependence, agency and legitimacy theories.

Expanding European fossil-based plastic production in a time of socio-ecological crisis: A neo-Gramscian perspective

The global plastics industry is undergoing significant expansion, driven by record-scale infrastructure investments that are increasing fossil fuel demand. However, this growth has largely bypassed Europe, where mature markets, limited feedstock availability, and stringent environmental regulations prevail. Despite these constraints, in 2019 the petrochemical conglomerate INEOS announced plans for a new ethane cracker in Antwerp, the single largest project in the European chemical industry for decades. This unexpected development raises questions about how fossil-based plastic production can expand in a region purportedly transitioning away from fossil fuels. Here, we employ a neo-Gramscian perspective on transitions to analyse the INEOS investment as a case study using both documents and interview data. We trace the processes that facilitated this project, examining developments in the broader fossil fuel economy and INEOS's strategies for accommodating local and global transition pressures. Our analysis demonstrates that the investment represents a case of trasformismo, where limited socio-technical reconfiguration enables the expansion of fossil-based plastic production despite ongoing socio-ecological crises linked to plastics. We conclude that the expansion of plastics production in Europe exemplifies broader efforts to maintain fossil fuel hegemony beyond energy production. This finding highlights the need for strategic approaches that address fossil fuels as feedstock to effectively transition towards post-fossil forms of production.

PSI-16 Evaluation of protein quality of defatted black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal compared with traditional protein sources for dogs and cats

Abstract There is increased interest in the use of insects, such as black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal (BSFLM), as an alternative protein source in pet foods. However, additional information is needed to determine how BSFL protein quality compares with traditional pet food protein sources. Thus, the objectives of this study were to determine the chemical composition, amino acid digestibility, and protein quality of defatted BSFLM in comparison with whole egg powder (WEP) and chicken meal (CM) using the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay. Fifteen cecectomized roosters (n = 5 per substrate) were randomly allocated to the test substrates BSFLM, CM, and WEP. After 26 h of feed withdrawal, 20 g of substrates were crop-fed and excreta were collected for 48 h. Digestible indispensable amino acid score (DIAAS)-like values were calculated using the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), The European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF), and National Research Council (NRC) reference values for different life stages of dogs and cats. Data were analyzed using SAS Proc Mixed 9.4 with P ≤ 0.05 significance. On a dry matter basis, CM had the greatest crude protein (70.2%), followed by BSFLM (59.8%), and WEP (51.2%). In general, WEP had greater amino acid digestibility than BSFLM and CM. BSFLM (84%) and CM (84%) had comparable arginine digestibility, but less than WEP (92%). Lysine digestibility was greater for BSFLM (80%) in contrast with CM (74%), but less than WEP (91%). DIAAS-like values were calculated, revealing methionine + cysteine as the first limiting amino acids for growing puppies and adult dogs in BSFLM according to AAFCO, FEDIAF, and NRC, whereas for CM threonine was the first limiting amino acid based on AAFCO, and phenylalanine + tyrosine based on NRC and FEDIAF. NRC identified methionine and cysteine as limiting for all test substrates in adult dogs. Methionine and cysteine were limiting for growing kittens for BSFLM among AAFCO, FEDIAF, and NRC. For CM and WEP, phenylalanine and tyrosine was the first-limiting amino acid by NRC and FEDIAF. For adult cats, phenylalanine and tyrosine were the limiting amino acid for BSFLMand CM according to AAFCO and FEDIAF, with NRC identifying it as limiting across all protein sources. In summary, methionine and cysteine and/or phenylalanine and tyrosine were the primary limiting amino acids among the protein sources evaluated. In general, BSFLM had comparable indispensable standardized amino acid digestibility to CM.

The role of human-capital in artificial intelligence adoption

We study the role of human-capital on the early adoption and diffusion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. We do this using recently released EUROSTAT data on AI-adoption across European countries and industries in 2021. We find that pre-existing differences in human-capital are a key driver of differences in AI-adoption. Our estimates suggest that one-third-to half of AI-adoption is linked to differences in available human-capital across country-industry cells. This relationship holds even when we account for country and industry specific factors. Moreover, higher clustering of university educated workers in firms appears crucial for AI-adoption. This effect is particularly strong for the following AI technologies: (i) those assisting the automation of processes and (ii) those that enable physical movements of machinery. Within firms, human-capital fosters the use of AI in processes associated with production, management and logistics. Despite documenting the automative nature of the AI technologies adopted, we find no evidence for them leading to employment declines (at least by 2021).

Barriers and framework conditions for the market entry of second-life lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles

Transition to circular economy for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles requires integrating multiple stages of the value cycle. However, strategies aimed at extending the lifetime of batteries are not yet sufficiently considered within the European battery industry, particularly regarding repurposing. Using second-life lithium-ion batteries (SLBs) before subsequent recycling can offer several advantages, such as the development of sustainable business models, the reduction of emissions, and alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals 7, 12, and 13. Using expert and problem-centred interviews along with an exploratory workshop, this study guides stakeholders in the battery sector by illustrating the necessary changes for a more holistic circular economy. Moreover, an extended political, economic, social, technological, environmental, legal, and additionally safety-related (PESSTEL) analysis approach is carried out, which has not yet been used in this context. In this process, barriers, as well as necessary institutional framework conditions and organisational requirements for a successful market entry of SLB applications are investigated. Among others, key barriers relate to the competition with first-life applications and safety concerns. SLBs require high manual labour costs for repurposing, along with expenses for expired warranties and re-certifications. Ownership structures in traditional business models often result in SLBs and their corresponding usage data staying under the control of the manufacturers. Market viability, however, requires a level playing field for both first-life and second-life operators as well as circular battery and data-sharing business models. Gathering data on the ageing performance and performing improved safety testing according to test protocols facilitates the reliable assessment of SLBs.

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) Implementation on Reducing Emission in the ASEAN Energy Sector

Abstract In the context of global efforts to combat climate change and transition towards a low-carbon economy, the European Union (EU) has introduced the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) as part of its ambitious Green Deal. This mechanism aims to address carbon leakage from high-emitting industries and ensure fair conditions for European industries. The ASEAN region, as highlighted in the 7th ASEAN Energy Outlook (AEO7) study, is projected to experience a substantial increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, reaching 6,704 Mt CO2-eq by 2050 compared to a baseline scenario of 1,815 Mt CO2-eq in 2020. Consequently, ASEAN has recognized the urgency to earnestly reduce its emissions in response to the global push for carbon neutrality. The implementation of CBAM by the EU has prompted many countries, including ASEAN Member States (AMS) exporting goods to the EU and beyond, to consider the adoption of CBAM policies. This study examines the potential implications of CBAM for the emission reduction in high-emitting industries in ASEAN (such as cement, iron and steel, aluminum, fertilizers, and electricity generation). The findings indicate that the implementation of CBAM may result in higher product prices for these industries, as they will be required to account for the climate footprint of their manufacturing activities through additional fees. However, it also presents an opportunity for emission reductions within these industries by incentivizing the adoption of renewable energy sources to mitigate their carbon footprint during manufacturing processes. To effectively respond to the implementation of CBAM, the region should adopt three key strategies: 1) active participation in and implementation of carbon pricing mechanisms, 2) increased investments in low carbon technologies, and 3) establishment of strategic partnerships to enhance trade relations between the EU and ASEAN.

The “Ariadne’s Space Thread” for France and Europe in the mid-twentieth and twenty-first centuries

In the twenty-first century, the importance of space exploration is increasing in the economic, political, and military spheres of social life. In this article, the author analyses, starting from the twentieth century, the historical experience of gaining access to space in the countries of Western Europe, including its regional integration association, the European Union, by means of launch vehicles. The absence of a detailed study of the role of France in the process of creating the first European launch vehicle in Russian historiography determines its novelty. The source base comprises archives, documents and materials of the French National Assembly, official structures of the EU and the European Space Agency (ESA), research articles, monographs drawing on memoirs. The purpose of the study is to analyze the history of the development and establishment of the French and European space exploration programs using the Ariane family of launch vehicles and the role of France in these processes. The author’s objectives are to identify the historical role of scientists from Germany, defeated in World War II, in the creation of France’s scientific and technical base, which allowed it to become the only nuclear power in the EU in the second half of the twentieth century and one of the world leaders in space exploration; to consider the process of providing autonomous access to space for Western Europe by creating its own launch vehicles with the key financial and technical contribution by France and with the participation of ESA; to analyse the role of space technologies and programmes in ensuring security, organizing reconnaissance from space. An analysis of the sources and literature on the topic leads to the conclusion that the pricing policy in the European space industry and strategic competition with space powers prevents European launch vehicles from strengthening their position in this market and achieving autonomy from third countries in access to outer space. Despite the long experience of post-war scientific and technological research and related advances in space exploration, it is difficult for France and Europe to achieve strategic autonomy in this important branch of human endeavour.

The Steelmaking Transformation Process and Its Consequences for Slag Utilization

The main challenge of the European steel industry for the next decade is the steel production transformation process. Many steel producers aim to avoid their CO2 emissions by substituting the CO2‐intensive blast furnace/basic oxygen furnace route by a gas‐based direct reduced iron (DRI) process combined with an electric smelting process. Thus, the well‐known latent hydraulic granulated blast furnace slag (GBS) will vanish step by step. For more than 140 years, this slag has been used as a supplementary cementitious material due to its clinker reduction potential and from there its CO2 reduction potential for the cement and concrete production. Moreover, slag cements offer some special technical advantages. Whereas the solid‐state DRI process itself does not generate any slag, the different electric smelting processes will produce liquid steel or “electric” pig iron, respectively, together with very different types of slags. However, specific slag/metal ratios, resulting slag volumes, chemical and mineralogical composition, and physical properties of the new slags are yet unknown. Therefore, their cementitious and environmental properties are also still unknown. Different current and scheduled projects aim mainly to enable the different types of new slags to substitute GBS to continue the successful cross‐industrial cooperation between steel and cement industry.

Applying MBSE to Optimize Satellite and Payload Interfaces in Early Mission Phases

The use of model-based systems engineering (MBSE) has been increasingly explored recently in industries that require multi-discipline engineering coordination. In the European space industry, applying MBSE for the engineering of space systems has been an ongoing undertaking on many missions. In the following paper, the MBSE activities in CAMEO conducted during the A/B1 phases of a typical Earth observation satellite engineered by Airbus are discussed in detail in the form of a case study. The analyses shown are based around the modeling of the spacecraft electrical interfaces in CAMEO. This model was used to automate electrical interface control documents (EICDs) and enable the control of electrical interface development. These methodologies were further put in the context of Airbus’ satellite design processes to assess the benefits of an MBSE approach to the current electrical interface engineering procedure and the potential for the reuse of CAMEO models between satellite projects. The reduction in system engineering effort through the reuse of models to modularly create similar satellite systems for efficient concept evaluation and comparison is a clear benefit.

Integrating source tracking tools for marine shellfish tracing: Metataxonomic and isotopic analyses

Shellfish farming is a significant activity in the Northern Adriatic Sea, particularly in Italy, where it plays a crucial role in the European industry of live bivalve mollusks. This study aimed to exploit different analyses, including metataxonomy and isotopic profiling, to address these issues. Isotopic analysis showed differences between habitats, with lower δ15N in sea samples, likely indicating lesser anthropogenic impact compared to lagoon environments. Additionally, seasonal variations in δ15N, δ13C and C/N highlighted differences in primary productivity and organic matter sources across seasons. Metataxonomic analysis revealed significant variability in microbial taxa across harvesting habitats and seasons. While no marked differences were observed in alpha and beta diversity based on habitat, distinct seasonal clustering indicated the influence of environmental factors on microbial community structure. Gammaproteobacteria were prevalent across habitats and seasons, with notable fluctuations in other taxa, such as Alphaproteobacteria, Epsilonproteobacteria, Flavobacteria, and Bacteroidia, particularly in lagoon habitats during winter. Overall, this study highlights the potential of microbial and isotopic characterization for tracing the origin of shellfish products. Metataxonomic analysis identified microbial signatures indicative of habitat and season, with implications for ecological dynamics and consumer safety. Isotopic analysis provided information on habitat characteristics and harvesting seasons, enhancing product traceability.

Export, economic complexity and growth in the integrated periphery of the European automotive industry

ABSTRACT This article examines the relationship between the export of automobiles, economic complexity and the growth of countries of the European automotive industry. It utilises Eurostat and OEC databases and implements an OLS panel model to examine the trends and position of countries in the dynamic core-periphery structure over the period 2000–2020. We aim to investigate how the increase in economic complexity is related to the change in the share of exports of automobiles in the post-socialist countries of the integrated periphery compared to core areas. Our results suggest that the economic growth of the post-socialist countries of the integrated periphery is driven by economic complexity. On the other hand, they differ significantly when it comes to the export of automobiles which can have a substantial influence on long-term sustainable growth in the context of digital and green transformation.