Innobasque recognizes Gestamp, H2Site, Oncomatryx, Surphase and the Gipuzkoa Mental Health Network for their 'made in Euskadi' innovation projects

Membrane reactors for hydrogen transport, robotics and artificial intelligence for automotive manufacturing, nanotechnology and sensors for water purification, molecular biology for the treatment of metastatic cancers and online training for suicide prevention are the focus of the five projects selected by Innobasque, the Basque Innovation Agency, in its 'From Science to Innovation' call to discover innovative projects 'made in Euskadi', which received a total of 59 submissions.

Nearly 60% of the initiatives received come from Innobasque's partner entities, reflecting "the direct involvement of the network in transforming research into innovative solutions with impact," as highlighted by the agency's director, Leire Bilbao, during the Global Innovation Day celebration at the GOe building in Donostia-San Sebastián.

Networked collective work is one of the keys to achieving success in innovation, as demonstrated by the five case studies presented, which together encompass the collaboration of up to 65 entities, including universities, technology and research centers, large companies and SMEs, hospitals, public bodies, NGOs, professional associations and independent experts.

For its selection, Innobasque has analyzed its degree of collaboration, the impact of the new knowledge generated and transferred, its technological maturity and its relevance to the Basque innovation ecosystem.

The 'Factory 21, a new concept of flexible manufacturing' project, driven by Gestamp, demonstrates the conversion of knowledge into innovation for the automotive sector.

Aloña Auzmendi, Advanced Manufacturing Director at Gestamp, has indicated that digital and interactive technologies are enabling the transformation of production processes in the automotive sector towards more sustainable, autonomous, and efficient models. Through collaborative robotics and applied artificial intelligence, "this project exemplifies the evolution of Basque industry towards the cognitive factory of the future," they note.

With a clear environmental component, the project 'Operational excellence in desalination plants through nanotechnology' is led by the University of the Basque Country (EHU) through the Gipuzkoa-based spin-off Surphase.

Iliane Rafaniello, the company's Chief Executive Officer, explained how nanotechnology and advanced sensors can improve the efficiency and sustainability of water treatment plants. "This technology," she explained, "allows us to anticipate membrane fouling and reduce energy consumption, contributing to more responsible water resource management."