- The major event for the chemical industry in Spain will take place from June 2 to 5 at Fira de Barcelona.
- The technological centre, which this year celebrates its 120th anniversary, positions itself as an industrial partner with innovations capable of recovering metals from used batteries and treating industrial wastewater at low cost
In the midst of the European debate on the need to secure the supply of critical raw materials and optimise water resources, Leitat arrives at Expoquimia 2026. The technological centre, which this year celebrates 120 years of history, will take advantage of the leading trade fair for the chemical and process industry to present a range of disruptive solutions focused on decarbonisation, surface engineering and real circular economy.
Leitat’s main highlight at this edition is its advanced Supported Liquid Membranes system (SLM/PIM). This is a highly selective technology that opens the door to “urban mining”: it enables the treatment of diluted industrial streams or leachates to efficiently recover strategic metals such as rare earths, lithium, cobalt, nickel or copper from, for example, battery recycling.
The demonstrator will make it possible to visualise the selective separation of metals or contaminants, showing directed transport and the concentration capacity of species of interest under controlled conditions. This system drastically reduces energy consumption and minimises the use of aggressive chemical reagents compared to conventional methods. It also has a key impact on the circular economy by enabling the recovery of critical and strategic resources.
Water and electric mobility: Leitat’s other key focus areas
In addition to critical material recovery, Leitat will showcase other outstanding prototypes at its stand (2C19):
- UNIVERSWATER (Low-cost solar water treatment): A pilot-scale demonstrator of a raceway pond reactor designed for advanced water treatment through solar photo-Fenton processes. The system uses sunlight to eliminate toxic and emerging compounds from industrial liquid waste at a much lower implementation cost than conventional reagents.
- CoolPrint EV (Smart battery cooling): Developed within the European VERSAPRINT project, this prototype integrates cooling channels and conductive bus bars directly 3D printed onto the electric vehicle battery itself. The result is optimised thermal management that increases battery safety, lightness and lifespan, contributing to the acceleration of electric mobility and the reduction of environmental impact.
In addition, the technological centre will present five further capabilities related to optical assembly and adaptive optical technology for the comprehensive analysis of complex materials; research into eco-sustainable alternatives to intentionally added microplastics in detergent and cosmetic applications; 3D-printed prototypes with liquid additives; independent verification services for sustainable detergent formulations; and reprocessable polyurethane foams to replace PVC in window frames.
“At Leitat, we work to transform chemistry and materials science into real solutions for industry, beyond laboratory knowledge. Expoquimia represents a key environment to demonstrate that biobased materials, free from perfluorinated compounds and microplastics, are already ready to scale and promote their application in sectors such as detergents, paints, cosmetics and plastics,” says David Amantia, Head of the Chemistry and Materials Department at Leitat. “Celebrating our 120th anniversary reinforces a clear commitment: turning research into tangible value and moving towards a more circular, efficient and autonomous industrial model,” he adds.
Knowledge transfer, Leitat’s added value at the international event
Leitat’s contribution to Expoquimia will also include the participation of its experts in three key panels and presentations within the congress programme:
- Session “Advanced robotics and AI in the chemical industry: what is real today and what will come tomorrow” (June 2, at 10 a.m.). Francesc Cortés, Senior Robotics Researcher at Leitat, will participate as keynote speaker in this session organised by the Association of Industrial Engineers of Catalonia. The session will analyse current and future applications of advanced robotics, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems in complex industrial environments such as the chemical industry, addressing opportunities, challenges and emerging technological trends.
- Presentation “Safer and more circular materials: transforming the future of polyurethanes” (June 3, at 3:30 p.m.), with Ester Calleja, researcher at Leitat. The session will address the development of non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs) applying Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) and Recyclable by Design (RbD) strategies, with the aim of promoting safer, more sustainable materials aligned with circular economy models.
- Round table “Innovation in materials and ingredients: drivers for industrial efficiency and circular economy” (June 4, at 12:15 p.m.). David Amantia will moderate this session focused on the role of innovation in materials to improve industrial sustainability and competitiveness. The round table will address topics such as by-product valorisation, reduction of energy consumption and emissions, collaboration between value chain stakeholders and the application of artificial intelligence in material development and process optimisation. Jorge Perez, R&D&i Director at Grupo IQE, and Fernando Lorenzo, Innovation and Quality Director at Christeyns, will also participate.
Get your tickets for Expoquimia HERE.
