Industry partners in agri-food transformation
We promote open and collaborative innovation with different stakeholders and adapt to their needs, achieving a positive impact on the sector. This relational model is based on trust and shared strategy and is implemented through framework agreements, specific collaborations and joint ventures with shared risk.
The path from idea to market can be very diverse and full of challenges, but with IRTA you will never be alone: our experts will put their passion and knowledge of the sector and technology at your disposal to accompany you throughout the process. Continue exploring this page and you will discover in greater detail everything we can do for you.
contracts
clients
M € - Value of new business with international companies
Catalan customers
State-level clients
International clients
contracts
clients
Catalan customers
State-level clients
contracts
clients
Catalan customers
State-level clients
contracts
clients
Catalan customers
State-level clients
Major challenges can only be overcome through joint efforts. For this reason, IRTA maintains strategic and trusted partnerships with organisations with which it works closely and over the long term on joint R&D&I projects in the agri-food sector to improve the sustainability and resilience of production systems. Here we highlight the main R&D&I partnerships we currently have in place:
At IRTA, we offer comprehensive support to companies to promote collaborative R&D&I projects. Starting with the initial idea or challenge, we help identify the most appropriate funding framework, both from a technical and economic point of view, in order to carry out the project with the right partners. We accompany you throughout the process: from meeting the requirements, writing the proposal, setting up the consortium and drawing up the budget to the final presentation.
We also facilitate access to funding sources from public bodies and agencies such as the European Union (Horizon Europe, LIFE, PRIMA), the State (MICIN, CDTI, DARPA) and the Government of Catalonia (ACCIÓ, DARP, AGAUR).
In addition, IRTA has an active portfolio of R&D&I projects developed in collaborative and transdisciplinary consortia, with its own funding or funding from regional, national and international entities. This activity reinforces our commitment to innovation, knowledge transfer and competitiveness in the agri-food sector.
Would you like to present or participate in an R&D&I project? Do you have an idea but don’t know how to implement it?
Contact us and we will assess the best way and framework to make it a reality! clients.projectes@irta.cat
IRTA is heavily involved in projects under the European Union’s Framework Programme (HORIZON EUROPE) as well as other international calls for proposals such as PRIMA, Interreg and LIFE, among others. Both collaborative research and development projects (RIA) and collaborative innovation projects (IA) under “Pillar II. The Clusters‘ and ’Pillar III: Innovative Europe” of the European Innovation Council encourage the participation of companies. IRTA facilitates, accompanies and collaborates with companies in this framework to carry out co-developments, validations, case studies and Living Labs, among others.
Below you can see some of our outstanding European projects and access the advanced search engine for European projects in which IRTA participates:
IRTA supports and advises companies on collaboration in individual and collaborative R&D&I projects, as well as on possible sources of funding from public bodies and agencies (ACCIÓ, CDTI, DARPA, MICIN, etc.). Starting from the idea and/or challenge, IRTA helps companies find the best financing framework, both technically and economically, to carry out the desired project with the right partners.
Below are some examples of this type of project:
The Operational Groups are groups made up of several partners from the agri-food sector with common interests who work together on an innovation project to solve a sectoral and/or territorial challenge. These projects are co-financed by the European Union through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), via the Aid for Cooperation for Innovation.
The results of the projects are disseminated through the European Innovation Network of the European Innovation Partnership for agricultural productivity and sustainability (EIP-Agri).
In recent years, IRTA has worked closely with more than 200 companies to overcome sectoral challenges through participatory innovation in more than 150 Operational Groups.
Demonstration Activities test the viability or functioning, under real conditions, of a production system, technology or organisational system that could represent a substantial improvement in the competitiveness or environmental sustainability of agricultural, livestock or forestry holdings, the agri-food or forestry industry, or fishing activities.
The purpose of these activities is to transfer technology and technical and management knowledge adapted to the territorial and sectoral realities of the agri-food and forestry sector in Catalonia.
IRTA has carried out more than 100 demonstration projects in recent years, providing, demonstrating and transferring innovative results to the sector. Here are some highlights:
IRTA collaborates with companies, associations, groups and/or other types of organisations to develop R&D&I projects that enable them to overcome challenges or innovate in order to become more competitive. A research contract is an agreement between the company or entity and IRTA, in which both parties set out in detail and by mutual agreement the objectives pursued, the methodology to be used, the planned timelines and the technical, economic and legal obligations of the parties. Confidentiality is guaranteed when required by the collaboration.
TECNIO is the accreditation granted by the Government of Catalonia through ACCIÓ to technology transfer agents in Catalonia’s R&D&I system that demonstrate distinctive technological capabilities and the ability to transfer them in order to strengthen the business fabric.
To support companies in the field of innovation and carry out key sector projects, IRTA has accredited the following groups with the TECNIO seal:
We highlight some projects related to the TECNIO seal:
IRTA makes its scientific expertise available to companies, associations and/or groups for the purpose of evaluating, testing or developing products, services and procedures. A research contract sets out precisely and by mutual agreement the objectives pursued, the methodology to be used, the planned timetables and the technical, financial and legal obligations of the parties. Confidentiality is guaranteed when this is established in the contract and justified by the nature of the collaboration.
The IRTA carries out specialised training functions, organising courses and seminars and facilitating the stay of technical staff or university graduates at its centres or laboratories. All of these can be found in the Training Calendar.
In addition to the many training activities offered by IRTA, the main courses it teaches are:
We develop and protect new technologies and plant varieties, fine-tuning disruptive techniques aimed at the market and supporting their implementation and commercialisation in a win-win model with companies from various sectors.
R&D&I services are related to the technological applications we prioritise in each case, such as precision agriculture, digital twins, artificial intelligence, robotics, data platforms, phenomics and digital genomics. These applications give rise to projects with high impact and business value.
Further information is available on the Flintbox portal ➡️
IRTA advises companies on collaboration in individual and collaborative R&D&I projects, as well as on possible sources of funding from public bodies and agencies. Starting from the idea and/or challenge, IRTA helps companies find the best financing framework, both technically and economically, to carry out the desired project with the right partners. We provide support in meeting requirements, drafting the proposal, setting up the consortium, preparing the budget and submitting the final proposal.
If you are a company eager to innovate, contact us and we will assess the best framework for doing so!
IRTA’s scientific activity is inspired by a vision of applicability and valorisation of advances, acting according to the most appropriate transfer mechanisms in each case. In this process of technology transfer, IRTA may create and/or participate in companies for the valorisation or commercialisation of the knowledge, goods or services generated by its activity.
At IRTA, we work to build relationships with different stakeholders in our region, enabling us to promote strategic research and development lines to address society’s main agri-food challenges.
Innovative companies in the agri-food sector see IRTA as a strategic partner for their innovations, establishing trusting and lasting relationships.
IRTA is present in the main clusters and platforms of innovative companies, building solutions together with companies from different sectors and leading the transition towards a fair and sustainable food model.
At IRTA, we work to build relationships with different stakeholders in our region, enabling us to promote strategic research and development lines to address society’s main agri-food challenges.
Innovative companies in the agri-food sector see IRTA as a strategic partner for their innovations, establishing trusting and lasting relationships.
IRTA is present in the main clusters and platforms of innovative companies, building solutions together with companies from different sectors and leading the transition towards a fair and sustainable food model.
