Financing constant innovation Interview with Michel Streel, R&D Manager, Circuit Foil Research and development is the lifeblood of Circuit Foil. “We produce high-quality electrodeposited copper foil for the latest Apple and Samsung Galaxy products, as well as for the new 5G antennas that will soon be deployed,” says Michel Streel. “Innovation is key for us to stay ahead of competitors and keep working with our clients. We have to be able to deliver the foils that they need, not only for their products of today but also for those of tomorrow.” Research and development (R&D) is therefore a central activity for the company. Over the years, several of its R&D and innovation projects have received cofunding from the Ministry of the Economy. “We prepared our first aid application around 10 years ago, but it turned out that it did not fulfil all the requirements of the ministry,” Mr Streel remembers. “I contacted Luxinnovation, and in very short time they had helped me to prepare a high-quality application that was approved without further ado. Since then, we have always worked together on our aid requests.” After the successful experiences of several smaller projects, Circuit Foil was advised by the ministry to make a single aid application for a comprehensive, 3-year R&D programme starting in 2016. “We aim to address several major challenges in the coming years,” says Mr Streel. “Electronic products are constantly getting smaller – mobile phones are a good example – and our clients are asking for thinner materials. We therefore want to find ways of decreasing the thickness of our products and offer ultrathin copper foils with the same high level of performance.” Reducing the roughness of the surface of the copper foil for better transmission of electric signals is another priority. A third ambition is to further improve the solutions used for the chemical treatment of the foil. “The idea of a larger R&D programme gave us the opportunity to include our long-term strategic objectives and apply for more extensive support,” Mr Streel continues, “but we had to describe it in the right way for it to be admissible. Luxinnovation’s funding experts provided precious coaching with formulating the programme, deciding what objectives and activities should be included and writing a clear and comprehensible programme description.” Another essential point was to correctly prepare the budget and other tables that are used to determine the importance of the state aid for the company’s development. “This is quite a particular economic calculation, and Luxinnovation was of great help,” Mr Streel says. “They also came with us when we presented our application to the Ministry of the Economy. The good contacts between the Luxinnovation and the ministry staff facilitated our discussions.”Another essential point was to correctly prepare the budget and other tables that are used to determine the importance of the state aid for the company’s development. “This is quite a particular economic calculation, and Luxinnovation was of great help,” Mr Streel says. “They also came with us when we presented our application to the Ministry of the Economy. The good contacts between the Luxinnovation and the ministry staff facilitated our discussions.” As a result, Circuit Foil was granted a subsidy covering over a third of the costs of the programme – a support that is fundamental for the company’s future. “Working with Luxinnovation makes the application process faster and simpler and increases your chances of success,” Mr Streel concludes. “Using this free-of-charge support is the thing to do if you want state aid for your R&D projects.”