Access to HPC technology is essential when attempting to solve highly complex problems requiring high performance computing and storage capacities, such as the modeling of natural phenomena, including meteorology, climate change and epidemics, the optimization of energy resources, research into new materials, and the shortening of technical development cycles with a view to encouraging innovation. The European Commission communication, ‘High Performance Computing: Europe’s Place in a Global Race’, effectively highlights the strategic character of HPC, together with the crucial role played by the European Technology Platform (ETP). ETP is a forum, set up by industry and open to participation from all companies carrying out research in the field of HPC in Europe. The aim of the ETP platform is to define European research priorities in relation to technological development in Europe at all levels in the HPC solutions value chain. ETP is strengthening European competitiveness in the field of HPC, an essential foundation for future research and innovation as well as a solution to many social and economic problems. It is the ambition of ETP4HPC to become the reference ETP platform for the European Commission. The platform adds the final elements to the research capabilities created under the PRACE partnership. The recently published white paper (http://www.etp4hpc.eu/documents/ETP-key-documents.html) demonstrates that the ETP4HPC platform has the capability to provide a significant improvement in the position of Europe in the field of HPC technologies. The research program established to achieve this aim will be founded on the strengths of the individual participants, the exploitation of technological breakthroughs with a tangible and durable potential in the market, a focus on technologies that satisfy the requirements of major applications, encouragement for the creation and expansion of SMEs, and the utilization of synergies with other information technology sectors, with a view to influencing the next generation of IT solutions. Such an ambitious research program is certain to generate advantages, including the creation of a solid ecosystem in the field of HPC technologies, the availability of competitive HPC solutions designed in Europe, and the growth of an economically durable HPC sector. Such advantages will expand the capacity for the use of HPC and will create a competitive advantage for European research and industry by opening the path to new possibilities and new business activities. In addition, ETP4HPC is currently setting a strategic research agenda to be submitted as part of the Horizon 2020 program that will define the future objectives of European research. European industry and research have undertaken to invest in a research program dedicated to HPC technologies, and to redouble their efforts in research and development.The creation of ETP4HPC is a significant step as it supports and reinforces the position of the European HPC industry. The wide range of exceptional skill and expertise contributed by the members of this initiative is an indication of the capability of Europe to dominate the HPC industry in future years, providing that an ambitious research and development program is established. The ETP platform will serve as a catalyst for this development and will contribute to a strengthening of the European HPC industry, creating employment and offering added value to stimulate students and academic researchers in the ICT field. Given these wide ranging capabilities and possibilities, the users of HPC technologies will not only have access to new scientific and technological results, but they will also be in a position to design more innovative products and services.For more details, see the ETP4HPC website at: www.etp4hpc.euJoin us for an ETP4HPC breakfast briefing at the ISC Hamburg at 7:45 am on Thursday June 21, 2012.www.allinea.comwww.arm.comwww.bsc.eswww.bull.comwww.caps-entreprise.comwww.cea.frwww.cineca.itwww.eurotech.comwww.fraunhofer.dewww.fz-juelich.dewww.ibm.comwww.intel.comwww.lrz.dewww.par-tec.comwww.st.comwww.xyratex.comAbout the CEA: The French Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission (CEA) is a public research body operating in four main areas: Low-carbon energy technologies, information technology and health technologies, large-scale research facilities (TGIR), defense and global security. Building on a basis of excellence in fundamental research and a recognized skills base, the CEA participates in a wide range of research projects in collaboration with leading academic and industrial partners. With 16 000 researchers and other employees, the CEA is a leader in the European research community with a growing international presence. For more information, see www.cea.fr