We will take part in the biggest event on eco-design and circular economy in Southern Europe; Basque Circular Summit 2022, Walking the talk
Climate change and resource availability present a major challenge and new opportunities for the economy. In response, Europe has decided to commit to the European Green Deal, with the aim of transforming the EU with a sustainable, modern, competitive, fair and resource-efficient economic model. The Basque Government has also joined this pact with its own roadmap for the Basque Country: Basque Green Deal.
In this framework, focus is being put on the circular economy as an driver of change that pushes the transition towards a sustainable economy for our society and our planet.
Basque Circular Summit Conference
Ihobe, Spri Group and the Basque Government are organising the Basque Circular Summit 2022 "Walking the talk", which aims to raise awareness of the challenges of the circular economy and analyse the opportunities arising for the Basque economy.
The third and final day of the event, "Eco-innovation: country responses to European challenges", will set out the visions for the future and demonstrate that the generation and deployment of circular eco-innovation is essential to ensure sustainability in the Basque Country and the generation of solvent green markets. More specifically, through six transformative lines with future potential for our country, including sustainable industrialised construction.
- Iñigo Vegas, Director of Construction Products and Bio-based Products at TECNALIA, will participate as an expert speaker at the round table "Challenge: sustainable industrialised construction".
During the three days focusing on business and industry, the Basque Country will be made visible and positioned internationally at the "forefront of southern Europe" in the business circular economy.
Active exhibition Circular design made in Euskadi
In addition to the conference, the event will host an exhibition of 250 eco-designed and circular Basque products, where there will also be guided tours and practical workshops.
We will present four circular products:
- SICLA Aerogel: a low-density thermal insulation material synthesised using SICLA technology. The material offers high thermal resistance, lightness and good fire performance, making it an effective material for integration into thermal insulation products in buildings, industrial insulation, etc. Furthermore, it is thinner than traditional insulating materials and 100 % of the raw material is recycled.
- Portable lighting system: a plastic part with directly printed and embedded lighting for portable lighting systems for micro-mobility vehicles, scooters, etc., that are lightweight and have miniaturised electronics. It also eliminates PCBs(Printed Circuit Boards) and cables and hence lightens mobility.
- Circularcomposite : a composite part reinforced with continuous fibre reinforcement with a bio-based polyurethane matrix (BIO-PUR) suitable for structural components subjected to cyclic loads. Materials of petrochemical origin are replaced by bio-based materials, reducing weight compared to metal components by up to 80% and extending their life cycle.
- Millichannel reactor for use in chemical synthesis: higher energy and matter transfer is achieved, which increases the productivity and efficiency of the chemical process. This means that the reactor is smaller than conventional reactors with the same productivity, which represents savings in materials and space. The manufacturing method is by 3D printing, so the material is 100% recyclable and there is no waste. The construction material is AISI 316L stainless steel.
TECNALIA and the Green Deal
At TECNALIA, we work with companies and institutions to increase their competitiveness in a sustainable way, so that we contribute to improving people's quality of life. We transform technological research and innovation into prosperity, acting as agents of change for business and society.
This dual impact that we constantly pursue means that we carry the Green Deal in our DNA, with the cross-cutting goal of making the world a better place.