Recentre

The manufacturing sector in the Alps plays a relevant role for the economy and for the living conditions of the area. Mechatronics, Automotive, Wood-processing SMEs are fighting every day to be more efficient, flexible and sustainable. They need to attract skilled employees able to operate in a highly digitised ecosystem. Higher interest rate and reduced attitude to business risk can slowdown SMEs transformation plans. These challenges are addressed by the new EU Strategy, called Industry 5.0, that is the newest development of Industry 4.0 as a follow-up of the COVID19. This strategy aims at supporting SMEs to be more intelligent, as their processes are based on advanced technologies and data, like AI; more sustainable, as SMEs need to reduce the environmental impact of their processes; more resilient, as they need to consider their activity as part of the social ecosystem. Industry 5.0 can help the transformation of the alpine manufacturing sector, but with necessary adaptations considering the local peculiarities.

The RECENTRE project rises from this context, with a vision to strengthen the alpine manufacturing sector, making it adaptive, resilient, and forward-thinking. Its primary aim is to accelerate the green transformation of this sector. It will leverage advanced technologies while ensuring worker wellbeing. RECENTRE integrates green manufacturing, digitalization, and human-focused growth. These components are crucial for achieving flexibility, efficiency, and sustainability, that are all essential for competitive success. A robust partnership of stakeholders and funding organizations drives RECENTRE. The project seeks to pinpoint and disseminate best practices in adopting the Industry 5.0 model to push SMEs' transition plans, emphasizing the "voucher" strategy, that enable SMEs to trial new technologies at reduced costs. However, current schemes require refinement to suit Industry 5.0's unique demands.

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