Recognizing changes in the global economic order and its severe dependency on foreign resources and technology, Europe is greatly invested in strengthening its economic security and further developing its industries. Consecutively, European governments have introduced policies to enhance the competitiveness of their advanced industries. This study identifies the status, strengths and weaknesses of European advanced industries, by examining the present conditions of advanced industries in Europe in terms of trade, R&D expenditure, and human resources, and also comparing the competitiveness in advanced industries with the US and China. Furthermore, it identifies the policy direction of the EU and the UK for advanced industries from the perspectives of promoting innovation and bridging the technological gap, expanding investment, and fostering a level playing environment. This study also reviews the key support policies and regulations for specific sectors in advanced industries, i.e., batteries, semiconductors, AI & digital industry, health & biotech, clean technology, and aerospace.

The following points were confirmed through this research. First, both the EU and the UK recorded trade deficits in items classified as high-tech industries, indicating extensive dependence on foreign sources in these fields. The EU’s R&D expenditure rate also turned out to be less than that of the US and China. While the number of jobs in advanced industries are likely to increase, the EU’s low projection for working-age population in the future indicates that this vacancy is not expected to be filled, unlike in the US and China. These statistics reaffirm the necessity and legitimacy of European policies aimed at enhancing competitiveness in the advanced industry. Second, the EU and the UK are pursuing multifaceted policies to strengthen competitiveness in advanced industries under the overarching goal of climate neutrality. The EU aims to meet more than 40% of its demand for climate-neutral technologies internally by 2030, seeking to reinforce clean-tech production capacity. Initiatives such as Horizon Europe, the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), and the EU Blue Card are being employed to address key challenges and labor and skill shortages. In accordance with its Modern Industrial Strategy (2025), the UK is planning to actively invest in key sectors - automobiles, aerospace, biotech, and clean energy - to stabilize supply chains. In terms of utilization of various funds, the EU is actively promoting Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) projects and investment guarantees via InvestEU, while the UK is significantly increasing investment to strengthen its industrial ecosystem. Furthermore, both the EU and the UK are working to foster fair competition and to expand international cooperation while building internal supply chains and pursuing supply chain diversification. Third, in key strategic industries, both the EU and the UK are simultaneously pursuing large-scale investments and regulatory reforms to drive green and digital transitions along with technological sovereignty. In the batteries sector, the EU is continuously investing in battery manufacturing within Europe, while advancing battery R&D and recycling systems. Meanwhile, the UK is focusing more on technological development and design cooperation. As for the semiconductors sector, the EU is aiming to engage across the entire value chain to address manufacturing vulnerabilities. Considering how the sector is so far dominated by Asian countries, establishing a strong position in batteries manufacturing remains challenging. However, the UK is maintaining a niche market strategy focusing on R&D, design, and IP. In the digital industries sector, such as AI and quantum technology, both the EU and the UK are pioneering regulatory and normative frameworks to challenge US-China technological leadership. Their policies target technological sovereignty and competitiveness through R&D and infrastructure development, with accompanying efforts to implement policies addressing carbon neutrality in the energy-intensive infrastructures. In the health and biotech sectors, the EU policy centers on supply chain stabilization, enhancing internal manufacturing capacities, regulatory streamlining, expanding clinical trial infrastructure, and strengthening the security of critical pharmaceutical supply chains. Clean energy technologies are being promoted through the Net-Zero Industry Act and the Clean Industrial Deal, aimed at strengthening local manufacturing capabilities for eight strategic technologies - including hydrogen, batteries, carbon capture and storage (CCS) - while reducing reliance on non-European countries. Large-scale joint investments and infrastructure development under the IPCEI initiative are actively in process in the hydrogen segment. Meanwhile, the EU maintains a strong position in the aerospace industry sector, mainly thanks to Airbus, while concurrently advancing research on sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and improving aircraft efficiency. In space, major projects like Galileo and Copernicus are underway, and the EU Space Act has been proposed to secure global standard-setting leadership.

The key implications for Korea’s strategic engagement with the EU and the UK’s advanced industry policies can be summarized in three main points. First, in terms of investment, Korea should strengthen R&D and equipment investment in key sectors such as batteries, semiconductors, AI and quantum technology, while actively leveraging its associate membership in Horizon Europe to enhance networks and market access opportunities. Second, to improve the investment environment, Korea needs to introduce converged regulatory sandboxes and streamline approval procedures, as demonstrated by the EU’s One-Stop Shop model, to foster a competitive industrial ecosystem. Third, for broader cooperation, Korea may consider solidifying its global position in positive technology exposure and standardization processes by participating in public procurement projects and the Korea-EU digital, green, and security partnerships. It should also mitigate supply chain risks by easing upstream dependencies and strategically practicing mid- and downstream network collaboration. Furthermore, it is crucial to proactively respond to ESG regulations (such as the CSDDD) and solidify the foundation for long-term cooperation with Europe through talent exchange and joint research.

국문요약

제1장 서론
1. 연구의 배경
2. 연구의 범위 및 구성

제2장 유럽 첨단산업의 경쟁력 분석
1. 유럽 첨단산업의 현황
2. 유럽 첨단산업의 경쟁력
3. 소결

제3장 유럽 첨단산업의 정책 방향
1. 혁신 촉진 및 기술 격차 축소
2. 투자 확대
3. 공정한 경쟁 환경 조성
4. 소결

제4장 유럽의 주요 첨단산업 지원 분석
1. 배터리
2. 반도체
3. 디지털 산업: AI 및 양자 기술
4. 보건 바이오
5. 청정에너지 기술
6. 항공우주

제5장 결론 및 시사점
1. 연구 요약
2. 정책 시사점

참고문헌

부록

Executive Summary