- The technological centre is recognised for its responsible innovation model with economic, social and environmental impact, in the year of its 120th anniversary
- The award, granted by the leading business organisation in CSR in Catalonia, highlights the cross-cutting integration of ESG (environmental, social and governance) criteria in applied research and technology transfer to companies
The technological centre Leitat has been awarded the Respon.cat Award for Sustainable Innovation 2025, a recognition that distinguishes organisations that structurally integrate sustainability into their innovation models and business activity. The award, granted by Respon.cat, the leading business organisation in corporate social responsibility in Catalonia, highlights the cross-cutting incorporation of environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria in applied research and technology transfer to companies.
The recognition comes at a particularly symbolic moment for the organisation, which will celebrate its 120th anniversary in 2026, and reinforces its historical role as one of the key players in the Catalan innovation system, with a track record closely linked to industrial development and to improving the competitiveness of the productive fabric.
The award was presented this Tuesday, 27 January, at the Llotja de Mar in Barcelona, and was collected by Ramon Pastor, President of Leitat, at a ceremony chaired by Dr Josep Santacreu, Honorary President of Respon.cat and President of the Cambra de Comerç de Barcelona, with the participation of the Minister for Business and Labour, Miquel Sàmper.
Innovation with real impact
Leitat develops a cross-cutting model of sustainable innovation that incorporates, from the very beginning of the process, criteria related to environmental impact —such as eco-design, circular economy or emissions reduction—, social impact —health, safety, inclusion and quality of life— and economic impact —competitiveness, scalability and value creation—, thus ensuring that applied research generates a real and measurable impact on the productive and social fabric.
This approach ensures that applied research is not limited to the scientific field, but is translated into technological solutions that can be transferred to the market, with the capacity to generate measurable economic and social returns, especially in industrial sectors facing increasing regulatory and decarbonisation pressures.
This model is materialised both in specific technological projects and in working methodologies, internal processes and new forms of collaboration with companies and institutions. In these projects, Leitat acts as a driving force for the green and digital transition in areas such as advanced materials, health, sustainable mobility, energy, decarbonisation, digitalisation and the circular economy.
A broad and diverse collaborative ecosystem
The sustainable innovation model of the techonological centre, based in Terrassa, is built on a broad collaborative ecosystem that brings together companies of all sizes, public administrations, universities, research centres and European R&D&I networks.
Currently, Leitat collaborates with more than 2,000 entities on applied research and technology transfer projects. This multi-actor and multidisciplinary approach is key to addressing complex challenges such as the energy transition, resource circularity or responsible digitalisation.
The ability to articulate alliances between science, industry and the public sector positions Leitat as a relevant node within the European innovation ecosystem, facilitating the scalability of the solutions developed and their real adoption by the productive fabric, especially by industrial SMEs.
Projects that demonstrate the value of sustainability
The Respon.cat Award jury particularly valued the centre’s ability to materialise sustainability through concrete projects. These include the joint development with Sorigué of nature-based solutions for municipal water treatment with energy recovery; collaboration with SEAT on industrial decarbonisation studies; and projects with the Agència Catalana de l’Aigua aimed at the reuse of treated wastewater for industrial uses.
Also noteworthy are waste valorisation and circular economy initiatives developed with companies such as AERIS, Torres y Fills, Paymsa or FCC Ámbito, which exemplify how sustainability can become a driver of innovation and competitiveness.
“This award recognises a way of understanding innovation that places sustainability at the centre and seeks to generate real value for companies and for society. At Leitat, sustainability is not an add-on, but a structural criterion that we integrate from the outset into applied research and technology transfer projects,” said Jordi Cabrafiga, CEO of Leitat.
Future challenges: greater impact, greater transfer
Leitat’s roadmap for the coming years focuses on turning the impact of sustainable innovation into a measurable asset, accelerating technology transfer to companies and consolidating its role as a driving force of the green and digital transition, with a growing presence at the European level.
In a context marked by new regulatory requirements on sustainability and by the need to reindustrialise Europe under responsible criteria, the role of technological centres is being consolidated as a key element in supporting companies throughout this process.
“This recognition comes in a particularly significant year for the centre, as we celebrate 120 years at the service of industry and the country’s progress. The Respon.cat Award reinforces Leitat’s role as a key player in the innovation system, with the aim of continuing to support companies —especially SMEs— in the development of technological solutions with economic, social and environmental impact,” stated Ramon Pastor, President of Leitat.
