Partners
Politecnico di Milano (PoliMi) is the largest technical university in Italy, founded in 1863. It currently hosts around 40,000 students, including 8,000 international students from over 100 countries. The university focuses on engineering, architecture and design, combining innovation, technology transfer and strong collaboration with industry. Its research is carried out in more than 250 advanced laboratories and infrastructures covering areas such as green transition, advanced materials, smart mobility, aerospace, urban studies and natural risk management.
Politecnico di Milano secures more than €100 million annually in external research funding, ranking first in Italy and fifth in Europe for the number of Horizon Europe projects funded between 2021–2027. It has a long-standing tradition of excellence in research and education, confirmed by international rankings and its strong engagement in EU projects and partnerships.
Università Politecnica delle Marche (UNIVPM) is a public technical-scientific university with 5 study and research areas: Agriculture, Economics, Engineering, Medicine & Surgery, Sciences. Approximately, its administrative staff count 600 units while professors and researchers amount to 625 plus 250 postdocs. It is organised in 5 faculties and 12 departments, 7 of which have been awarded the National Seal of Excellence by the Italian Ministry of Higher Education in the last few years. UNIVPM has joined so far more than 170 research projects (FP7, H2020, HORIZON EUROPE, DIGITAL, JUST, CERV, LIFE, ERASMUS, ERASMUS+, INTERREG, COST, U.S.A-funded programmes, et al.), in 28 of which with the role of Coordinator. In the current European Research and Innovation Framework, Horizon Europe, it already has 46 funded projects with a total budget of more than € 160 m. It has recently entered the European Universities Alliance called “SUNRISE”, made of 9 EU universities with a specific focus on the STEM disciplines (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology). It also joins many European partnerships (e.g., Water Europe, JPI Oceans, Built4People) whose aim is the internationalisation of its research and educational capacity. UNIVPM relies on its International Projects Service, an 9-person unit, to support professors and researchers in finding research cooperation and mobility opportunities and managing the awarded funds in highly competitive global environments. On 31st August 2024, UNIVPM has been awarded, by the European Commission, the “HR Excellence in Research Award”. This important recognition represents a seal of commitment by UNIVPM towards present and future researchers and a guarantee of the highest standards in research and HR.
Keraben Grupo is a Spanish private company specialising in the design and production of ceramic wall and floor tiles. Its main brands include Keraben, Metropol and Ibero. The company employs over 900 people and operates two production plants in Spain, with a total capacity of more than 12 million m² annually. With a turnover close to €120 million, Keraben Grupo invests approximately 2% of its revenues in R&D&I activities.
Its products are exported to more than 120 countries worldwide, combining technical performance with high design value through close collaboration with architects and interior designers. Keraben Grupo is a consolidated international player in the ceramics sector, recognised for its innovation, quality, and sustainable approach.
El Jarpil S.L. is a Spanish SME based in Andalusia, established in 1993. The company specialises in the production and commercialisation of essential oils and other organic products obtained from both wild plants and certified crops. Through a wide network of local organic producers, particularly from protected areas, the company is able to expand its product range, including stevia and other natural extracts.
El Jarpil has actively participated in EU-funded research and innovation projects. For instance, within Horizon Europe, it has received EU contributions exceeding €190,000 to support the development of sustainable natural products. Its activities are strongly rooted in sustainability, biodiversity protection and the promotion of organic agriculture.
INN CEINNMAT (INNCEINNMAT S.L.) is an innovative SME focused on the industrial implementation of advanced and sustainable material technologies. The company is specialised in microwave-based processing, nanotechnology and multi-source electromagnetic processes, developing patented equipment and solutions to improve industrial efficiency and sustainability.
Its technological applications target multiple sectors, including ceramics, construction, metallurgy, mining, chemicals, petrochemicals, recycling and water treatment. By combining research, innovation and industrial know-how, INN CEINNMAT provides breakthrough solutions that contribute to the green transition and industrial decarbonisation.
