Leading Lights 2025 provided a dynamic platform for addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing the manufacturing sector today. From navigating the green transition and building a truly sustainable circular economy to driving innovation in the face of global competition, Leading Lights brought together the key players who are shaping these critical conversations. 

The event underscored the importance of collaborative action—through dialogue, partnerships, and the collective pursuit of sustainable, impactful solutions. Leading Lights facilitated the creation of meaningful connections, ignited new ideas, and laid the groundwork for shaping the future of manufacturing. These collaborations are vital not only for advancing solutions to industry challenges but also for driving innovation that will benefit the global economy. 

Challenges in European Manufacturing

The event kicked off with a thought-provoking presentation by Jan Olhager, Professor Emeritus at Lund University, on reshoring and the challenges of maintaining industry in Europe. A subsequent panel discussion, featuring Jan Olhager, Jan Herstek, and Greta Braun, delved into how Europe can leverage its strengths amidst challenges such as the skills gap and the urgent need for adaptability. LINPRA emphasised the importance of education in different stages of life in bridging the skills gap, positioning it as a key factor in elevating European industry.

Industry leaders from Volvo Group, AlfaLaval, STILFOLD, and ChainTraced presented real-world challenges that need urgent attention: harnessing the potential and profitability of the circular economy, developing AI-assisted automation, and addressing regulatory hurdles. These are the issues at the forefront of European manufacturing, demanding innovative solutions.

The future is uncertain, but there can always be multiple outcomes

Caroline Viarouge, CEO of EIT Manufacturing, highlighted the crossroads at which Europe stands in terms of innovation, urging a reduction in dependencies and a focus on strengthening security. Daria Krivonos, CEO of the Copenhagen Institute for Future Studies, emphasised the need for vigilance and adaptability, underscoring that Europe’s resilience will depend on the ability to prepare for multiple potential futures.

Marko Kuokkanen from GigaVaasa also provided insights into the plans to address some of the pressing challenges facing European manufacturing. The unpredictability of these challenges, as Marko mentioned from the battery industry’s point of view, underlines the need for agility and collaboration.

Startup Competition

The Leading Lights Startup Competition showcased six cutting-edge startups:

• Nuterials
• HELIOS Innovations
• SynergyXR
• AIRY Automotive
• Blue Ocean Closures
• Hydrogenerous

A panel of industry leaders and investors judged the competition, and HELIOS, AIRY Automotive, and SynergyXR were crowned winners. These startups represent the talent and potential driving the future of manufacturing. They were awarded the DeepTech Alliance Manufacturing Pioneer Prize and congratulated by Thomas Klem Andersen (DeepTech Alliance), Johanna Stiernstedt (Director of EIT Manufacturing North), and Caroline Viarouge (CEO of EIT Manufacturing).Collaboration between academia and corporates: a solution to industry challenges?

The second day of Leading Lights 2025 focused on circularity and the circular economy. Jacob Arnbjerg (Grundfos) and Giacomo Parolin (DTU) shared how their collaborative efforts, facilitated through MADE, resulted in a tool for Grundfos to assess environmental impact, considering both CO2 emissions and biodiversity. Importantly, the tool was designed to be used by the industry—a great example of open innovation.A panel led by Thomas Andersen (DeepTech Alliance) took a deeper dive into the essence and necessity of circular production and business models. It was emphasized that, in addition to how we produce, we must consider what we produce and why we produce it.Solutions making waves today

EIT Manufacturing supports startups that are driving sustainability. At Leading Lights 2025, startups like DREV, CircularPlace, and AdaptFuture took the stage, each offering unique approaches to sustainability. From utilizing waste to creating a market for the circular economy and training workers for repair tasks, these startups are addressing various facets of the sustainability challenge.

As Jacob Arnbjerg said about their collaboration with Giacomo Parolin:

“This is not something you can simply buy off the shelf.”

Highlighting the clear complexity of industry challenges. It is often difficult for solution providers and challenge owners to find each other.

Through platforms like ShiftLabs and MATCH platforms both startups with creative innovations and corporates with critical challenges can find each other and create collaborations. It is also through EIT Manufacturing calls and organisations like MADE and Odense Robotics that facilitate such collaborations. The success of the Danish startup RiACT being a great example of EIT Manufacturing support.Innovations and solutions to actual industry problems do not grow in silos. Innovative startups, impactful corporates and facilitators of collaboration need to work intertwined to keep us on track towards green transition and European resilience.

Conclusion

Leading Lights 2025 demonstrated that the future of manufacturing hinges on collaboration, innovation, and adaptability. The event highlighted the critical role of startups, corporates, and academia in addressing industry challenges and accelerating the green transition. By fostering meaningful connections and showcasing groundbreaking solutions, Leading Lights set the stage for continued dialogue and action. As Europe navigates an increasingly complex landscape, the insights and partnerships formed at Leading Lights 2025 will be instrumental in shaping a more resilient, sustainable, and competitive manufacturing sector.

Join the conversation on LinkedIn by sharing your key takeaways and engaging with fellow participants. Let’s continue building the future of manufacturing together!