IVAM Survey 2013

A year ago, the microtechnology, nanotechnology and advanced materials industry looked out to the year 2012 with quite positive expectations. As it turned out, the Euro debt crisis and the unstable economic situation have left their mark on these industries, too.
 
The latest economic data survey of of the IVAM Microtechnology Network confirms that the mood of the microtechnology, nanotechnology and advanced materials industry is quite subdued. In 2012, the business situation of the companies has gone slightly downhill compared to the year before, but also compared to the expectations in the beginning of the year. While orders and staff numbers have slightly risen and production and export shares have remained stable, sales figures have dropped. The lack of funding for the strategic business development, expansion or investment in innovation is still an essential problem. Only 7 % of companies had more funds available for corporate financing in 2012 than in the year before, only 16 % have been able to invest more than in 2011.
 

For 2013, the industry expects a slight upwards trend. Slightly more than half (56 %) of European companies expect to perform better in 2013 than in 2012.
        
The question how Europe's economy will do in 2013 is hard to answer in the face of the euro debt crisis. The forecasts of various institutions for the euro zone are currently creating confusion rather than a clear picture of the economic situation. The expectations for 2013 are being corrected constantly - usually downwards. Negative predictions bear the risk that they let the participants in the economy act cautiously and thereby affect the climate for innovation. Companies and financial institutions are less willing to take risks, which is a disadvantage in particular for innovative suppliers with highly specialized products.
 

This is why IVAM is looking on 2013 and the results of the next economic data survey with great anticipation.