On February 7th 2020, the ELCA network was given the green light to promote cluster internationalism by the Executive Agency for SMEs (EASME) through the COS-CLUSINT-2019-3-01 call.

This call aims to intensify collaboration across borders and sectoral boundaries to support the European Strategic Cluster Partnerships, as they lead international cluster cooperation beyond Europe. The action will be implemented by five ELCA partners from May 2020 until 2022 and will involve the six working groups of the network

The action is led by the Saxony Automotive Supplier Network (AMZ) from Germany and integrated by Plastipolis (France), ClustER-Mech (Italy), Bydgoszcz Industrial Cluster (Poland) and Clúster de Materials Avançats de Catalunya (Spain).

The aim is to foster the use of European lightweight products, technologies and services in third-country markets through the development of a joint strategy toward international development. Five value chain stages in four mobility sectors are considered: aerospace & aeronautics, automotive, rail, and maritime. Two types of markets will be targeted. For mature markets, the USA and Japan will be the starting point. For less mature markets, India and regions in Latin America will be the starting point. Through this project, the ELCA network will consolidate its expansion at a global level, increasing the strength and visibility of European lightweight solutions for CO2 emissions reduction.