"The Meeting included presentations, debates and colloquiums, addressing collaboration and knowledge transfer"
The SusChem Annual Meeting highlights the role of sustainable chemistry and young talent in the search for solutions to global challenges, such as climate change and energy transition
SusChem-Spain, the Sustainable Chemistry Technology and Innovation Platform run by Feique, held its 19th Annual Meeting in Madrid under the slogan "Boosting technological cooperation, business creation and young talent". The event focused on innovation and sustainability, highlighting the transformative role of chemistry in global challenges, such as climate change and the circular economy.
Main activities and presentations
The Meeting included presentations, debates and colloquiums, addressing collaboration and knowledge transfer. In the opening conferences, the role of SusChem as a driver of synergies between companies, research and entrepreneurship to address environmental and technological challenges was highlighted.
The round table discussion, moderated by María Eugenia Anta, Director of International Investment and Innovation at Feique, was made up by:
- Jesús Torrecilla,Director of Ventures at TECNALIA for Energy, Climate and Urban Transition.
- Ruth Manzanares, Head ofOpen Innovation at AINIA .
- Gema García, Director of Corporate Venturing, Open Innovation and Technology Business Development at Repsol (All4Zero) and María José Tomás, Department of Institutional Promotion and Territorial Cooperation at CDTI.
Among other issues, the speakers reflected on the growing social recognition of the importance of sustainability and also analysed opportunities for the creation of start-ups focusing on sustainable solutions.
Finally, the colloquium stressed the need to attract young talent through specialised training, highlighting how innovation can generate tangible impact on society by being implemented directly in the market.
SusChem Awards 2024
The 16th edition of the SusChem Awards was one of the highlights of the Meeting. These awards recognised the talent of four young researchers in three categories:
- Future, which was awarded to Lourdes Patricia Sanmiguel for the best academic record.
- Research, which went to Jordi Soler and Jon Ander Onrubia, in recognition of their outstanding scientific publications.
- Innovate, which was awarded to Ester López Fernández for the best project developed from a public-private collaboration.
The awards included a total of €10,000 in prize money. These awards not only boost the careers of young scientists, but also reinforce the commitment to sustainability and innovation. They are called by SusChem-Spain and promoted by the Spanish Chemical Industry Business Federation (Feique), the National Association of Chemists and Chemical Engineers of Spain (ANQUE), the Spanish Conference of Chemistry Deans (CEDQ), the Expoquimia International Chemistry Exhibition, the Chemistry and Society Forum and TECNALIA Ventures.
