Communities of Practice
Within COAST, Communities of Practice bring together organisations that face similar challenges in analytical science.
These communities are not just about sharing knowledge. They are about turning shared challenges into practical progress.
Within a Community of Practice, members can work together on feasibility studies, R&D trajectories, targeted project proposals, consortium building, education and talent development.
The goal is clear: connect knowledge, talent and infrastructure to accelerate innovation and reduce risk.
Because complex challenges are rarely solved by one organisation alone.
CoP Circular Economy
Materials need reliable assessment before they enter a new production cycle. Analytical measurements help determine what a material contains, whether its quality is suitable and how it can be reused safely.
COAST’s Circular Economy Community of Practice connects partners from industry and academia working on plastics, textiles and critical raw materials. Together, they address practical questions about material composition, quality and reuse.
The community focuses on consistent ways to characterise materials and share results. This work supports developments such as the Digital Product Passport, which aims to make information about products and materials easier to access.
Through working sessions, workshops, education and joint projects, partners turn analytical evidence into practical solutions for circular markets.
CoP Pharma
Pharmaceutical analysis depends on methods that perform reliably throughout a product’s development and production. The Pharma Community of Practice connects industry experts and analytical scientists to work on shared challenges.
A current focus is ICH Q14, the guideline on analytical procedure development. What does it mean for laboratory practice? How should organisations put its principles into practice?
Partners discuss these questions in recurring working sessions and develop a shared roadmap for implementation. They also contribute their expertise to new courses for analytical professionals.
The community helps turn regulatory guidance and practical experience into methods that work in the laboratory.
CoP ANCORE: Digital (AI x COAST)
Analytical chemistry is changing as artificial intelligence and digital tools become part of laboratory work. ANCORE brings together professionals from industry and academia to explore how these tools support analytical workflows.
Which tasks benefit from AI and machine learning? How do we assess the quality of results? And how do we share tools and knowledge across organisations?
Through working sessions, training and a shared collection of tools, demonstrations, data and guidelines, the community turns new approaches into practical applications. ANCORE also explores emerging analytical technologies, including process analytical technology.
By connecting people with real analytical challenges, ANCORE helps professionals develop the skills and methods needed for future laboratory work.
CoP Water
Reliable measurements help us understand water quality and assess the effects of pollution. The Water Community of Practice brings together analytical experts and industry partners to develop measurement solutions for these challenges.
One project, Microtex, focuses on reducing microplastics released during textile washing. The community also explores measurement needs across the water sector.
Through meetings, workshops and masterclasses, partners share knowledge and identify opportunities for joint work. Education activities help professionals apply analytical methods to water quality challenges.
Together, the community connects measurement expertise with practical action for cleaner water.