VIRATEC, the Galician Cluster of Environmental Solutions and Circular Economy, was presented at the University of Santiago de Compostela on October 23, 2020, bringing together representatives of more than 70 companies of the sector. VIRATEC was created to encompass companies and institutions working on environmental solutions and circular economy, thus highlighting this sector’s crucial role in the Galician economy.
The ceremony was inaugurated by the professor of Chemical Engineering Juan Lema, member of the Management Committee of VIRATEC, and the recently appointed director of the Galician Institute for Economic Promotion (IGAPE) Fernando Guldrís. It also drew the participation of the General Director of Aclima- Basque Environment Cluster Olga Martín, who shared the cluster’s experience gained for more than 25 years working on solutions to create value through environment promotion among business and society.
VITATEC’s roadmap was presented by three members of the Management Committee, portraying the mission, vision and values of the organization, as well as its strategic orientations. The attendees were invited to take part in the founding assembly, which was held on November 23.
Founding Assembly
The founding Assembly of VIRATEC took place on Monday, November 23, 2020, in Santiago de Compostela. The gathering was held at the FEUGA headquarters, but online participation was also available.
This cluster comprises not only educational institutions such as the University of Santiago de Compostela and the University of Vigo, but also partner enterprises such as Norvento or Agroamb, with more than 2 billion euros in turnover. VIRATEC’s main goal is “to become a benchmark in the development and implementation of environmental technologies, processes and solutions at local, national and international level”. According to the statement made to Galicia Press, the cluster’s mission is to “increase the technological, innovative and competitiveness capacity of Galician companies that provide environmental solutions by fostering an ecosystem of public-private cooperation and between companies, generating synergies between different areas of knowledge and promoting R&D&i, improving training and creating opportunities for internationalization to contribute to the sustainable development of the Galician society and the preservation of the environment”.
This industrial grouping brings together all the agents directly or indirectly involved in the sector of environmental solutions. VIRATEC aims at increasing the economic value of the sector by encouraging entrepreneurship and cooperation with prestigious entities, both in academia and in the field of research and technological development. VIRATEC’s work will be focused on the environment and circular economy, both at Galician and international level, publicizing Galicia’s capacity for innovation in the environmental sector.
Sources: aclima, Galicia Press, Xunta de Galicia