The Andalusian Bioeconomy Platform of the European project SCALE-UP, in which CTA is a partner, has expanded its reach with the addition of eight public and private institutions. The primary driver of this growth is the Andalusian public university sector, thanks to the inclusion of the Universities of Seville, Huelva, Córdoba, Almería, and Málaga, as well as Pablo de Olavide University. With these new members, the Platform advances its mission of promoting the bioeconomy in Andalusia, now comprising over 55 members.
Additionally, two significant new members stand out: the Andalusian Agency for Business Transformation and Economic Development (Andalucía TRADE), a public entity under the Andalusian Regional Government dedicated to business development, innovation, and knowledge transfer; and the CLaMber R&D&I Biorefinery, a publicly funded demonstration-scale biorefinery project located in Ciudad Real.
New members
Founded in March 2023, the SCALE-UP Andalusian Bioeconomy Platform has successfully brought together public and private entities, including universities and R&D&I centers, public administrations, cooperatives, investment funds, and agri-food companies. Its primary goal is to enhance the valorization of waste and by-products from the olive sector. Until the conclusion of the project in August 2025, its members will support knowledge exchange and capacity building for the sustainable rural development of Andalusia’s olive industry.
The new members joining the Andalusian platform are:
University of Seville
With over 500 years of history, the University of Seville is one of Spain’s leading educational institutions. Its 32 faculties offer more than a hundred undergraduate degrees and host a community of over 70,000 students. The teaching and research staff exceed 4,500 professionals, and the university is a national leader in patent generation.
University of Huelva
Although officially founded in 1993, the origins of the University of Huelva (UHU) date back to the establishment of the Normal School in 1859 and the School of Mines in 1901. The UHU has grown rapidly and now offers more than 50 degree programs, serving over 10,000 students. Research and innovation are key pillars of the institution, which hosts 95 research groups across its eight research centers.
University of Córdoba
The University of Córdoba (UCO) boasts a history of over 200 years, thanks to its origins in the so-called Free University. It currently has more than 14,400 students. The recently inaugurated Rabanales Campus demonstrates its strong commitment to research, further solidified by its central role in the development of the European Higher Education Area.
Pablo de Olavide University
Pablo de Olavide University (UPO) is the second-largest public university in Seville. It has over 1,000 research personnel actively participating in more than a hundred SICA research groups. Its six faculties accommodate over 11,000 students across a diverse academic offering that includes undergraduate, double-degree, and postgraduate programs.
University of Málaga
Having recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, the University of Málaga (UMA) has positioned itself as a leading institution at the national level. Spanning nearly two million square meters across two campuses, it houses thirteen faculties, four schools, and a Doctoral School. The university offers more than 120 programs, including undergraduate, double-degree, master’s, and doctoral degrees, with a teaching and research staff of over 2,500 professionals.
University of Almería
Founded in 1993, the University of Almería (UAL) has more than 30 years of history. Its interdisciplinary campus, located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, comprises eight faculties and twelve research centers. In recent years, UAL has strongly committed to innovation, becoming part of four international excellence campuses, boosting its research and technology transfer efforts.
Andalusian Agency for Business Transformation and Economic Development (Andalucía TRADE)
Andalucía TRADE, an entity under the Ministry of Economy, Finance, and European Funds of the Andalusian Government, is a strategic initiative aimed at fostering economic development and supporting Andalusian businesses. It addresses a longstanding demand from the regional business sector: the creation of a one-stop shop that efficiently integrates all business support services into a single instrument.
Andalucía TRADE’s mission is to provide specialized professional and administrative services that enhance competitiveness and economic growth in Andalusia. It strengthens key strategic sectors by integrating R&D&I, technological development, and internationalization, positioning Andalusia as an attractive destination for investment.
CLaMber R&D&I Biorefinery
The CLaMber project (Castilla-La Mancha Bio-economy Region) has been financed through an investment of nearly €16 million to establish the region as a leading hub for biomass research. The associated R&D&I Biorefinery is a key public asset supporting scientific research, pilot-scale experiments, and the development of new bioprocesses and bioproducts from fermentable wet biomass or lignocellulosic biomass, whether residual or cultivated.
About SCALE-UP
The European project SCALE-UP, funded by the Horizon Europe program, aims to develop partnerships, tools, and bio-based solutions to foster the bioeconomy across six European regions. Andalusia, coordinated by CTA, is one of the six regional platforms established through SCALE-UP. The other platforms are located in northern Sweden, Mazovia (Poland), the Atlantic Arc of France, Upper Austria, and Strumica (North Macedonia).
The ultimate goal of these networks is to bring together various entities to exchange knowledge on bioeconomy, collaborate, and implement innovation support services.
To become a member of the SCALE-UP Andalusian Bioeconomy Platform and participate in its voluntary activities, interested parties must send a request via email to: sofia.sanchez@corporaciontecnologica.com.
