DTA - Distretto Tecnologico Aerospaziale

Sectors

• ICT and Industry
  • Telecommunications
  • Multimedia
  • Electronics/Electro-Technology
  • Microelectronics
  • Mechanics
  • Measure, Control and Testing instruments
  • Robotics
  • Industrial automation
  • Process automation
  • Aerospace
  • Miscellaneous
• Life Sciences und Materials
  • Nanotechnology
  • Materials Science

Services

• Research and Development
  • Research and Development inside the park
  • Technology transfer
  • Commercialization of technologies
• Human Resources
  • Organisation of conferences, courses and seminars
  • Staff training
  • Staff recruiting
  • Partnerships with universities and other research institutes
• Business
  • Development of business contacts
  • Access to venture capital
  • Venture capital available
  • Network formations
• Administrative services
  • Support of relations with the EU
• Other services
  • Location marketing

Data and Facts

Key data

• Founded in: 2004
• Seats: 1
• Companies: 250
• Employees: 30.000
• Research facilities: 10
• Universities: 5

Specifications:

• Turnover: 5 billion Euros
• 250 significant companies from the different industrial areas of the sector.
• 10 Research facilities: Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Centro Sviluppo Materiali (CSM), Ente per le Nuove Tecnologie, l’Energia e l’Ambiente (ENEA), sede di Frascati (Roma) dell’European Space Agency/Centre for Earth Observation (ESA/ESRIN), Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Istituto Nazionale di Fisica della Materia (INFM), Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica (INAF), Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV).
• 5 Science and Technology Parks
• Universities: 5 (La Sapienza, Tor Vergata, RomaTre, Cassino, Viterbo)
• 4 Faculties for Engineering, 12 subject areas and 30 study course programmes (first degree, masters, and doctorate) in the aerospace segment, numerous research projects run by CNR, CSM, ESRIN ENEA, IFN, ASI.
• About 3.000 specialists are employed including professors, researchers and other specialists.

Sponsors

Public sponsors.

Companies and institutions

In the region, there are aerospace companies active in the following areas: supplier area (electronics and EDP, flight electronics and communications) and services in the aerospace sector, in maintenance and airports.

Objectives

The DTA task is the promotion of stable cooperation between public spending and private companies in the research, economics and funding fields. Thereby an 'advanced industry system' with specialists should be built up, who are competitive at international level. This aim should be achieved by means of the following actions:

• Support of research and development projects, which should assist industry and, above all, the SMEs in Latium to play an important role in the goods and services market. These projects are based thematically on new technologies for materials, components and equipment in aerospace and for the development of future European satellite systems (Galileo, Egnos for satellite navigation and Copernicus/GMES for earth observation, environmental monitoring and safety);
• For the district and its members, a platform for legal and organisational questions will be developed, which standardises values, rules and modes of behaviour. Thus the close cooperation between demand, offer and research in the aerospace technologies should be improved. Mergers between SMEs and SMEs and large companies are promoted and also public-private cooperation in industrial research and test development;
• Assistance with application for European funds from the 7. EU-Framework Research Programme and for growing European investment programmes in the aerospace sector;
• In cooperation with institutes concentrating on internationalisation, DTA and the Latium Region should thereby be supported to foster contacts between Italian and worldwide CEOs. From this SMEs and the regional research institutes should profit: access to international markets, new strategic partnerships and access to new technologies.

Main intervention area:

• Aerospace industry
• Electronic
• Airborne electronics
• Information technology
• Communication

In DTA, many firms design and assemble satellites, solid fuel engines, parts for the Ariane and Vega launch vehicles and for launching pads for air-to-air and ground-to-air missiles and systems, sub-systems and components for equipment for air and space vehicles and helicopters. The DTA cluster coordinated by Filas is engaged in addition in European ICT projects and international matchmaking projects and the formation of cooperation platforms by extended and/or virtual enterprises (e.g. Space2.Land and Lazio Connect) and in international network projects.

• Foundation of new companies
• Enhancement of the competitiveness of companies
• Intensification of relations between universities and companies
• Build-up of new research activities
• Enhancement of the technology level of companies and institutions
• Creation of new jobs
• Enhancement of job quality
• Site support
• Attracting investors
• Economic exploitation of the scientific results
• Technological consulting for companies and institutions

Networks

• ENCADRE – Network of the European aerospace districts – is coordinated by the General Directorate for Companies of the EU. DTA belongs to the network MOU, which promotes cooperation between the European aerospace districts.
• ERRIN – Non-profit association with 58 European regions. ERRIN promotes the exchange of best practices and networking formation between the regions to promote the realisation of joint projects in the fields of biotechnologies, transport, energy, health, ICT, aerospace and financing tools for innovations.
• SIDEREUS – the SIDEREUS project is coordinated by Filas and co-funded by the European Commission via the Asia Invest programme. The Asia Invest programme is an initiative of the European Union with the aim of promoting cooperation between companies in the EU and Asia, to increase trade and investment between the two economic areas. The individual partners are: BavAIRia(Germany), GAIA (ICT Association of Basque Country, Spain), HBIC (Hertfordshire Business Incubation Centre- UK). Partners in Asia: ITSMA (Interact. Technology, Software and Media Ass.-India), CCA (China Consulting Association-China), TTC (Thales Technology Centre, Singapore).
• COIN - COllaboration and INteroperability for networked enterprises. COIN aims at planning and developing an integrated, open and flexible ICT platform and also producing a corresponding prototype. The basis for this is formed both by the existing research results from Enterprise Interoperability (available results of Enterprise Interoperability DG INFSO D4 Cluster, and, in particular, the European projects ATHENA, INTEROP, ABILITIES, SATINE and RUSTCOM) and also from Enterprise Collaboration (results available from the European projects ECOLEAD, DBE, E4 and ECOSPACE). An "Open Source und Business Oriented" platform should evolve, on which in secure and commensurate form, existing or innovative services still to be developed are drawn together and offered. The process described guarantees thereby the optimum combination of the services in relation to the respective business field (branch, size of the companies involved, openness and dynamics in the cooperation, etc.).
• AIDA - Computer analysis of the companies with the following contents: 1. Research programme and finance analysis; 2. Finance databank; 3. Direct activation of the online-access and training of the users.
• NEREUS - Regions active in space technology have teamed up to form a European network. The network comprises 22 European reigons in 9 countries).
• Filas maintains, together with the professional association, systematic contacts to cluster managers in international aerospace districts. Toulouse, Sophia, Antipolis, Bavaria, Hertfordshire, the Basque country, Holland, Benelux, Canada, Abu Dhabi, Morocco, Mexico, China, India and Singapore; new contacts are currently being built up (Japan, Morocco and Korea).
• KORANET - The European KORANET project is a research project in the 7. Framework Programme. It deals with an initiative involving 11 partners from 10 countries and the following aims: · Recognition and furtherance of a joint support schema for scientific cooperation projects; · As part of the IV. R&D Framework Programme, it is intended to promote cooperation between Korean and European companies · Stimulation of the cooperation between European and Korean technology districts.

Members

Location

Location and Environment

	Name	Inhabitants	Distance
Location	Rome
PST	Lazio Meridionale - Palmer		100 Km
University	La Sapienza		7 Km
	Tor Vergata		26 Km
	Roma Tre		6 Km
	Cassino		140 Km
	Viterbo		78 Km

Infrastructure and links

	Name	Distance
Airport	L.da Vinci Fiumicino	30 Km
	G.B. Pastine Ciampino	30 Km
Railway Station	Rome Centrale	7 Km
	Rome Tiburtina	8 Km
Harbor	Civitavecchia	80 km

Technology transfer

Inclusion in EU project

By means of the participation in European networks and by means of active matchmaking or delegation journeys between companies active in the aerospace sector, diverse cooperations could be concluded. An example would be:

• SIDEREUS – the SIDEREUS project is coordinated by Filas and co-funded by the European Commission via the Asia Invest programme. The Asia Invest programme is an initiative of the European Union with the aim of promoting cooperation between companies in the EU and Asia, to increase trade and investment between the two economic areas. The individual partners are: BavAIRia(Germany), GAIA (ICT Association of Basque Country, Spain), HBIC (Hertfordshire Business Incubation Centre- UK). Partners in Asia: ITSMA (Interact. Technology, Software and Media Ass.-Indien), CCA (China Consulting Association-China), TTC (Thales Technology Centre, Singapore).
• COIN - COllaboration and INteroperability for networked enterprises. COIN aims at planning and developing an integrated, open and flexible ICT platform and also producing a corresponding prototype. The basis for this is formed both by the existing research results from Enterprise Interoperability (results available from Enterprise Interoperability DG INFSO D4 Cluster, and, in particular, the European projects ATHENA, INTEROP, ABILITIES, SATINE and RUSTCOM) and also from Enterprise Collaboration (results available from the European projects ECOLEAD, DBE, E4 and ECOSPACE). An "Open Source und Business Oriented" platform should evolve, on which in secure and commensurate form, existing or innovative services still to be developed are drawn together and offered. The process described guarantees thereby the optimum combination of the services in relation to the respective business field (branch, size of the companies involved, openness and dynamics in the cooperation, etc.).
• CLUNET – 62 international clusters are represented in the CLUNET project. The aim of the project is the implementation of joint programmes at supra-regional level to enhance the innovative structures of the clusters and also the individual development programmes by means of knowledge and experience transfer.
• COSPACES – The main aim of CoSpaces is the development of organisation models and technologies for the enhancement of the working environment for companies in the processing segment. In detail, the following aspects should be optimised: formation of cooperations and partnerships, promotion of creativity, improvement of the product quality. The following tools are used: enhanced communications, innovative visualisation, heightening of international competitiveness of the individual working practices by using new expertise and natural interaction. The project focuses thereby on the following three key sectors: aerospace, automotive and construction The results of the research project are also applicable in other branches, as the technologies applied are designed compatibly.
• OPERA LAZIO – Non-repayable grants for SMEs, universities and research centres in the region as funding involvements in the preparation and presentation phases of projects at European level.
• The AEROSPACE special project is part of the extraordinary support programme named "Made in Italy", which is supervised by the Italian Ministry for Economic Development. The aim of this project is the strengthening of the economic relations between Italy and other European/international countries in the aerospace sector. Via pioneering ad-hoc specialist delegations, cooperations are initiated in a targeted manner.

Activities

Activity 1: DTA - The Most Important Result: cooperation between research facilities and companies – technology transfer

• Scientific research fund in accordance with Article 41 c (invitation to tender for SMEs) Results: 243 applications (not only aerospace), 3 R&D projects in aerospace for 804 000 €.
• Invitation to tender " Marchio e Premio Innovalazio" (brand and price Innovalazio) (annual invitation to tender for SMEs), annual "Marchio e Premio Innovalazio" (100 000 €) for three innovative companies (product, process and development model). Results: 18 approved brands and two prizes for € 200 000 in aerospace.
• Technology transfer PITT (aimed at SMEs) up to € 100 000 for projects for the transfer of new technologies and expertise from research centres and universities to regional companies. Results: with 12 transfer points finished and 4 in the development phase support Filas supports the technology transfer by means of the PITT tool. Thus the link between available technology offer for the science centres (universities, Italian and foreign research centres) and the demand for innovation from the SMEs in Latium can be improved. FILAS makes technology experts available to the company with innovation intentions (technoforums). They can estimate the actual technological requirements of the company and find out by means of targeted studies which research facilities, universities and large companies worldwide can provide the sought after expertise.

Activity 2: Qualification of the science parks – Partial measure II 5.2.DOCUP

• With partial measure II.5.2, the SMEs are to be supported in research and technology transfer. Thus the establishment of qualified facilities in the areas with corresponding is supported.

Activity 3: Partial measure II.5.1 DOCUP

• Partial measure II.5.1. of DOCUP Latium Ob. 2000/2006 contains several aims. Among them are the dissemination of technological and scientific insights and the contact build-up between specialists from research (universities, research centres) and the SMEs in Latium. The latter should be intensified by means of expert meetings and cooperation.

Internationale Cooperation

• Aerospace Cluster BavAIRia(Germany)
• Aerospace Cluster Midi-Pyrénées (France)
• Aerospace Cluster Baden-Württemberg, (Germany)
• Aersopace Cluster Stuttgart (Germany)
• Aerospace Cluster Prague (Czech Republic)
• GAIA (ICT Association of Basque Country Spain)
• HBIC (Hertfordshire Business Incubation Centre- UK)
• ITSMA (Interact. Technology, Software and Media Ass.-India)
• CCA (China Consulting Association-China)
• TTC (Thales Technology Centre Singapore)

Contacts to German companies are welcomed in the (following) areas:

Filas coordinates the activities of DTA and represents their stakeholders. Hence the maintenance of contacts to the stakeholders in the German aerospace sector of the following areas is the focus of attention:

• Partnerships between the research centres, to promote R&D projects with the strategic focus on the following technological macro trends and thereby to enhance the competitiveness of DTA in Latium: · Development of new technologies, architectures, networks and advanced applications for GNSS satellite navigation systems (Global Navigation Satellite System), for earth observation system, environmental monitoring and the safety monitoring system Copernicus (formerly GMES Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) and for the development of satellite-telecommunications. · Technologies, methods and innovative processes for materials, components and equipment and nanotechnologies for aerospace.
• Promotion both of the technological and productive partnerships and also of the matchmaking meetings between companies. The Galileo Test Range (GTR)is situated in Latium: a permanent laboratory for the simulation and assessment of the future GALILEO satellite signal and for the development of navigation and positioning applications. Filas wishes to recruit companies with a high degree of potential to obtain expertise and develop and test new GNSS technologies and applications.
• Institutional Exchange between Clusters with Private Equity.

Research and Development

GTR (Galileo Test Range)

Description

As part of the aerospace activities, Filas and the temporary Working Group (RTI), consisting of Telespazio and Thales Alenia Space (a company in the Finmeccanica Group), signed a founding contract for the GALILEO TEST RANGE (GTR) in Rome.
GTR was created from a concerted action between the Lazio Region – Assessorato regionale (regional department) for economic development, research, innovation and tourism – and the RTI Working Group with the assistance of Filas. GTR is a laboratory for the evaluation of the GALILEO signals and for the development of applications in the fields of navigation and position determination.
GTR is an important tool for the development and upvaluation of the major competences (industry, research and university) in the field of satellite navigation in Lazio and a significant competitive factor in the Italian aerospace branch at international level.

Aim

Application-oriented tests and analyses of the Galileo signal with regard to the requirements of public facilities (public agencies, national and European space authorities, universities, research centres and research groups) and of private customers in industry and the services branch. Planned are also tests and involvement in the development of prototypes for the applications "Mass Market", "Professional" und "Safety of Life", and transport of passengers and freight (by air, rail ship and road), emergency services (ambulance, police and fire service etc.) and safety (ATM, VTS, "road tolling" etc). The laboratory will in addition be in a position to issue the required certificates, an important aspect, particularly, in the segment "Safety of Life".

Research project 2

In order to support cooperations and/or mergers in regional industry, Filas integrates three connecting synergy tools:

1. Lazio CONNECT

Lazio Connect is a juristic –technical platform for the aerospace sector for the promotion of cooperation's (under development). The Lazio CONNECT project focuses on the foundation of regional innovation and company networks. These mergers between companies, facilities and research centres are distinguished by a close-knit and integrated structure. Characteristic are in addition temporary and ad-hoc work groups. In order to meet the challenges of the current market situation correctly, the suitable competences and resources are allocated to each project. The technical platform should support the respective cooperations organisationally, so that cooperations and coordinations between members are facilitated.

Description

Lazio Connect wishes, by means of the realisation of industrial cooperations to enhance the critical mass, the technological competitiveness and the negotiation ability in the marketplace. The aim is thus the optimisation of the value creation chain. The cooperations should both enhance the economies of scale and also the synergies (division of competences, risks, costs etc.), which result between the regional partners.

Aim

Target groups are SMEs and major companies in the aerospace sector in Latium. Lazio CONNECT is intended to facilitate the osmosis and technology transfer process and kick-start business chances between industrial sectors. The aim is to achieve a greater geographic and branch-internal qualification and new synergies and supplements between new sectors.

2. DTAwebDB

The pilot portal for the business community of DTA in Latium (the beta version was published).

Description

DTAwebDB is currently in the initial phase as a prototype. The idea is to network the DTA companies so that they have access in the succeeding phase to current projects, which deal with innovation, technology and processes. The initiative is run together with research centres, universities and the whole DTA production sector offer.

Aim

Targetgroups: SMEs and major companies, universities and research centres in the aerospace segment in Latium. The foundation of the DTA business community companies in the DTAwebDB is the first step to broker the market an overall impression of the production and to present the abilities and characteristics of the firms nationally and internationally. Thus, on the one hand, the needs of DTA can be determined and, on the other hand, new financing possibilities can be identified.

3. Space2Land

Description

ICT applications in the space sector – workshops for the regional industrial advancement and development in the space applications segment (under development). The Space2Land project is intended to advance innovative cooperation projects in the ICT sector for space applications, which, in addition, bring added value to the Latium Region.

Aim

Representatives of the public and private demand and universities/research centres in Latium. Nutzen: As part of the Space2Land project, altogether four technology platforms for various sectors were founded: mapping and earth monitoring, transport policy, satellite technologies for rescue operations and monitoring risks and valuables. By means of these platforms innovative services, which found an added value, are made available to regional companies. As aims, the following points were defined: i) Joining supply and demand – research centres should be in a position to service enquiries from several facilities ii) Bundling costs and the investments of similar items to save funds and thus release funding for further investments iii) Development of locally resident industry with the help of a service offer, which founds added value and services of public benefit from the enhancement of the quality of life and the safety of the citizens.

Incubator and Incentives

Regional incentives

• Financing in Latium for innovation and research: For the concrete support of the development and innovation processes in the region, Filas ensures the activation and administration of funds – from which some are provided as part of the DOCUP in the Latium Region. Herewith it is intended to advance the innovative ability in the SMEs, the technology transfer and the companies in the social field.
• Risk capital measures: With the assistance of Regional Law 2/85 and the risk capital fund, Filas participates in the SMEs risk capital in Latium, in order to found new companies and to realise development programmes in the field of innovative technologies. a) Financing in the Region Regional Law 2/85; b) Joint hearing in the search for private co-financing for risk capital funds POR-FESR 2007-2013 – Assets I - Activity 3, c) Risk capital funds - Partial measure IV.2.3. DOCUP
• Financing of the innovative SMEs: With the help of the POR Lazio - Piano Operativo Regionale 2007 - 2013 - Asse I Azione 1.1 Filas supports industrial research and development projects and a cooperation network between companies and research facilities in the sectors: aerospace, cultural heritage, sustainability, renewable energies, multimedia and ICT. By means of Regional Law 23/86 (currently not applicable) and the partial measures IV 2.1 and IV 2.2 of DOCUP, technological innovation processes, industrial research, pre-competition development, quality systems for companies and the environment and instruments for the extension of e-commerce are promoted. National Law 140/97, applied to the regions (currently not applicable) provides automatic tax concessions for industrial companies with their research and development expenses. a) Scientific research projects of the SMEs "projects and plans for technology “POR Lazio Asse 1 - Azione 1.1, b) Innovation contributions to Regional Law 23/86, c) Pre-investment funds – Partial measure IV. 2.1 DOCUP, d) Innovation fund – Partial measure IV. 2.2 DOCUP, e) Tax concessions for industry – Law 140/87
• Funds for Scientific Research: The region promotes measures aimed at production competitiveness by the promotion of the enhancement of research, innovation and technology transfer; this is done with the help of measures programme in certain innovative branches in technology segments important for regional development. To this end, the region funds research and development projects and cooperation networks between companies and research facilities. a) Invitation to tender for scientific research projects of the SMEs POR Lazio 2007 - 2013 Asse 1 - Azione 1.1
• Financing the Technology Transfer: In order to support the research and the technology transfer of the SMEs efficiently, Filas has planned and administered a series of actions for the support of the technology transfer, above all in the aerospace, multimedia and ICT sectors. The actions serve the qualification of the science park and the activation of the Marke and des Preises Innovalazio. a) Support actions for technology transfer – partial measure II. 5.1 DOCUP; b) Technology transfer for aerospace, multimedia and ICT PITT; c) Qualification of the science park – partial measure II 5.2.DOCUP; d) Wissenschafts- and Technologieparks Aktionen for den Technologietransfer (Regionalgesetz 04/06, Art. 182, Abs.4, Buchstabe c); e) Brand Innovalazio
• Promotions of Social Companies: The following points belong to the main aims of Filas: support of the foundation of new companies and the competitiveness of existing companies, support of the system of the system of the SMEs from the services sector. Thereby both the Regional Law No. 9, Art.13, para. 7, Letter a "Incentives for the Social Company" of 17. 2.2005 and also the measure IV – "Incentives for the Services Sector" are applied (the invitations to tender for both support programmes have been concluded). Further actions are: provision of information and support; companies are requested to realise projects with social intentions, which simultaneously stimulate employment in the region. Regional Law n.9/05 art.13 Maßnahme IV.4 Docup 2000-2006

National incentives

The following companies can utilise research funds in:

• Industrial companies, which produce goods and/or services
• Transport companies
• Producing trade companies
• Research centres, which are independent legal persons
• Consortia companies and research centres
• Science and technology parks

Activities can be financed, which are aimed at developing new products or new production processes.

EU-Level

FP7 - The support of the Latium Region in the Aerospace Sector:

• € 62 millions for the 1. aerospace district (DTA) in Italy. The Latium Region, the Ministry for Economics and Finances and MIUR founded DTA in the Latium region. The programme comprises the implementation of a series of initiatives of the regional public authorities together with the finance institutes, research centres, universities and high-tech companies.
• € 24.3 million for the aerospace sector from the "Politica di Sviluppo Unitaria Regionale" fund 2007-2013 for the build-up and integration of the research and technology transfer activities and for the development of innovative companies and for the marketing and growth of the SMEs.
• € 16.5 millions from the fund for scientific research for the promotion of the competitiveness and the recruiting of researchers into the advanced districts in Latium.
• € 55 millions from the regional fund for economic development, research and innovation in the advanced technology districts in Latium. The provision serves, on the one hand, the upvaluation of the laboratories in the research centres and universities and, on the other hand, innovation and technology transfer into the SMEs via the regional science and technology parks.
• € 3 millions for universities, research facilities and companies fort eh participation in the invitations to tender in the 7. EU Research Framework Programme.

Aerospace – Future Chance of DTA

Between 2009 and 2013, the Latium Region, via Filas, makes DTA 45.34 million Euros of public money available. Shortly there will be two invitations to tender:

• "Second Invitation to Tender of the Ministry of Education, Universities and Research for DTA": 10.6 million Euros will be made available to the companies, universities, research centres, science parks, consortia and consortium companies fro financing research and training projects active in aerospace. These initiatives should be performed in Latium.
• An invitation to tender for 2.3 million Euros for the development of new products/services based on satellite navigation technologies and the future Galileo system for individual SMEs or work groups.

Aerospace – future chances PORPOR - Piano Operativo Regionale 2007 - 2013 makes 24.3 million Euros available for the regional aerospace sector for the following projects:

• Support with the development of solutions for satellite communications
• Technologies, architectures and networks for the Galileo satellite system
• Innovative processes for materials and nanotechnologies for aerospace.

Aerospace – future chances for regional innovation Filas administers also on behalf of the Latium Region 102 million Euros for the support of innovation in all sectors of the regional economy, including aerospace. The following measures are thereby taken into consideration:

• Risk capital measures for the foundation of high-tech companies and the advancement of companies, which today can make contact with companies in the aerospace industry.
• Further measures for the support of innovation and research in companies, universities and other facilities.