• ECO-AERO will promote innovation in the aerospace sector by integrating technologies such as additive manufacturing, applied artificial intelligence and robotics in intelligent manufacturing, in order to position Spain at the forefront of aerospace technology.
• The ECO-AERO consortium is formed by the Andalucía Aerospace cluster, Airbus, ASIME, FIDAMC, HEGAN, TEDAE, Tekniker and is led by CATEC, the Advanced Center for Aerospace Technologies.
• ECO-AERO is the first aerospace innovation ecosystem in Spain to receive the support of the Center for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI).
Getafe, 11 november 2024. ECO-AERO is the first aerospace innovation ecosystem in Spain to receive the support of the Center for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI). This award has a budget of 1.112.994 € and has been one of the projects selected within the first call for “Innovation Ecosystems”, within the PERTE Aerospace and in line with the recent Strategic Plan 2024-2027 of CDTI.
The main objective of ECO-AERO is to strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of the Spanish aerospace sector through the creation of a collaborative and inclusive environment that enhances innovation. To this end, the project integrates advanced Cervera technologies such as additive manufacturing, applied artificial intelligence and robotics in intelligent manufacturing.
The ECO-AERO Consortium is composed of a strong alliance of key companies and organizations in the aerospace sector, each playing a key role:
• AIRBUS, a world leader in the aerospace industry, brings international expertise and resources.
• TEDAE, the Spanish Association of Defense, Security, Aeronautics and Space Technology Companies, which coordinates strategies at the national level.
• Andalucía Aerospace, the Andalusian aeronautics and space cluster, which fosters the local ecosystem.
• HEGAN, the aeronautics cluster of the Basque Country, which strengthens interregional collaboration.
• ASIME, Association of Metal Industries and Associated Technologies of Galicia, which supports technological SMEs in the aerospace industry.
• CATEC (Technological Center for Aerospace Technologies), FIDAMC (Foundation for Research, Development and Application of Composite Materials) and TEKNIKER, centers of excellence in Cervera technologies located in Andalusia, Madrid and the Basque Country respectively, which contribute with their knowledge in advanced technologies and composite materials.
In order to position Spain at the forefront of aerospace technology, ECO-AERO will promote knowledge transfer between key players in the aerospace sector, supporting the priority technologies of the Cervera networks. It will also strengthen the national supply chain, consolidating a strategic sector that not only generates high quality employment, but also promotes R&D&I. The project will, in turn, foster a transition towards more sustainable aviation, the development of unmanned aerial systems, space activities and innovative propulsion systems.
ECO-AERO as a reference in innovation and sustainability
With the support of CDTI and within the framework of the Innovation Ecosystems, ECO-AERO aims to position itself as a reference model in the aerospace sector. The project is focused on promoting sustainable and digital technologies, not only to strengthen the national aerospace ecosystem, but also to raise the competitiveness of Spain in the international arena. ECO-AERO promotes continuous training, technological innovation and interregional collaboration as fundamental pillars to build a more resilient, efficient and committed to sustainability aerospace sector.
The ECO-AERO project will be developed over 22 months, a period in which strategic activities focused on the commercialization of advanced technologies and the strengthening of the technological capabilities of participating companies and centers will be implemented. Planned actions include specialized workshops, knowledge transfer events and activities focused on promoting gender equality in the sector, fostering an inclusive and diverse innovation environment.
CDTI reinforces the value of innovative ecosystems with the new Strategic Plan 2024-2027
The recent publication of the Strategic Plan 2024-2027 of the Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI), with a fund of 8.6 million euros, reinforces the commitment of this entity to boost innovation ecosystems in Spain. This ambitious plan focuses on collaboration and technology transfer in 11 key areas, promoting projects with high transformational potential. The first “Innovation Ecosystems” grants foster multi-sector collaboration and ensure that the Spanish aerospace ecosystem continues to be at the forefront internationally, in line with the European Union's sustainability and digitalization objectives.
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