The Eurecat technology centre is taking part in the ‘HubB30, Beyond Circularity’ Territorial Specialisation and Competitiveness Project (PECT) in Cerdanyola del Vallès and Mollet del Vallès. This is a pilot scheme targeted at Zero Waste which is to design the methodology, optimal structure and venues to roll out a new model of interaction between quadruple helix actors (universities and research centres, government, businesses and the public) and open innovation processes.
The project is to build a network of OpenLabs across the region which will provide the framework underpinning the shift towards a sustainable research and innovation ecosystem. The labs are to coordinate participatory and co-creation processes for identifying challenges which will be worked on with other labs in the region to prototype and develop solutions, products and services which can unlock new business opportunities with the support of incubators and accelerators.
PECT ‘HubB30, Beyond Circularity’ members are Cerdanyola del Vallès Town Council, Mollet de Vallès Town Council, the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Esade, Eurecat, the UAB Research Park and the Àmbit B30 Association. The actions envisaged will entail €3,943,221 in funding, 50 percent of which will be co-financed via the Catalan Government’s budget as a project selected under the Catalonia ERDF Operational Programme 2014-2020.
The project was unveiled by officials including Carlos Cordón, Mayor of Cerdanyola del Vallés; Josep Monràs, Mayor of Mollet; Javier Lafuente, Vice-Chancellor of the UAB; Rosa Maria Sebastián, Director of the UAB Research Park, and Xavier López, Eurecat’s Chief Operating and Corporate Officer.
As part of the PECT, Eurecat will lead Operation 7 called the ‘HUBB30 Waste 0’ Observatory which will bring together initiatives transferring technological knowledge and talent to businesses in the circular economy.
This operation is to include technology watch and foresight studies which will explore trends and technological breakthroughs that can be transferred to businesses in the region and the general public so as to deliver innovative and competitive responses to market needs in a circular economy approach.
It will also hone a self-assessment tool to measure small and medium-sized enterprises’ maturity in using technology to unleash circularity. Support will additionally be provided to these businesses in drawing up a technology roadmap to encourage technology uptake and transformation and mentor them in attracting talent and local knowledge to drive these initiatives forward.
