For more than a decade, we have been investing in talent and cutting-edge scientific equipment to offer innovative and sustainable solutions to industry thanks to public-private partnerships and initiatives such as Circular Excellence, through which we are strengthening our research excellence and expanding our infrastructure.

Climate change has devastating effects on the environment and human health, which we are already experiencing. Examples of this are the heatwave in August 2025, the fires this summer in the north-west and south of the peninsula, and the torrential rains affecting the Mediterranean arc.

In this context, at CETIM Technological Centre we have been investing for more than a decade in talent and cutting-edge scientific equipment to offer industry innovative and sustainable solutions that contribute to reducing the effects of climate change. We currently have 10 laboratories with innovative equipment to combat climate change. For example, in the laboratory specialising in bioprocesses, we have state-of-the-art disruptive bioreactors for obtaining renewable fuels through biological routes, and in the analytics laboratory, we have a pyrolyser coupled to our gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system, which allows us to break down materials through pyrolysis in order to analyse the resulting products. In this way, we can identify and analyse microplastics present in water or sludge samples and perform qualitative analyses of wood and plastics.

In recent years, CETIM has reaffirmed its commitment to the circular economy. Firstly, through various initiatives, such as Circular Excellence, through which we are increasing our capabilities and infrastructure in fields such as renewable energy, water treatment, advanced materials and nature-based technologies. And secondly, by participating in strategic and environmental events such as the Atlantic Green Hub, held a few days ago in Santiago de Compostela.

Circular economy and climate change

The circular economy is an economic model based on minimising waste and pollution, keeping products in use and revaluing materials, as well as regenerating natural systems. By reducing the amount of waste we generate and the greenhouse gases we emit, we reduce the effects of climate change.

Since our establishment 12 years ago, at CETIM we have been committed to this model, which has allowed us to position ourselves as a national reference centre in Circular Economy and sustainability. With the Circular Excellence initiative, funded by the Axencia Galega de Innovación and co-funded by the European Union through the Feder Galicia 2021-2027 programme, we are consolidating our research excellence and infrastructure in six areas of specialisation in R&D&I (batteries, water, green hydrogen, sustainable polymers, sustainable construction materials and sustainable industry 5.0), which position us within the Galician, national and European innovation fabric.

In the words of our Managing Director, Toni Pons: “In Circular Excellence alone, we have invested and continue to invest almost €900,000 to reaffirm our commitment to the circular economy. This commitment has remained firm over the years and we have also reinforced it with our participation and involvement in Atlantic Green Hub.”

Atlantic Green Hub

At CETIM, we have been participating in Atlantic Green Hub, a meeting point for companies, public administrations and experts in sustainability, innovation and the circular economy organised by the environmental clusters of the Basque Country and Galicia, Aclima and Viratec. The aim of this first edition of the event was to share solutions and create synergies to advance towards the ecological transition of the Atlantic Axis.

Toni Pons participated in the round table ‘Sectoral challenges and opportunities for the Atlantic Axis Clusters’, representing the Cluster da Madeira e o Deseño de Galicia, of which CETIM is a member. The round table provided an opportunity to share interesting reflections on how to implement sustainability strategies through innovation.

In addition, our Head of Business Development at the Technology Centre, Adrián Rodríguez Reino, explained in the ‘Spaces for sharing’ session the solutions they are researching for the sustainable management of large flows of complex waste from industries such as textiles and renewable energies. The organisation also had its own stand where it shared with visitors other solutions it is developing for multiple sectors (water, sustainable construction, forestry, agri-food, etc.).

The “CIRCULAR EXCELLENCE CETIM” project is funded by the Axencia Galega de Innovación and co-funded by the European Union through the Feder Galicia 2021-2027 programme, falling under Political Objective OP1, Priority 1. A, Specific Objective RSO 1.1 and Line of Action L.A 1.1.01.