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ENHANCEMENT OF AITEX’S R&D ACTIVITY AT THE EUROPEAN LEVEL
EU4AITEX 2026
Motivation
The aim is to strengthen AITEX’s strategic R&D lines with a medium- to long-term European vision, enabling it to enhance its excellence in research and development, collaborate with other European research centres, and promote not only AITEX’s participation in high-level European projects but also its involvement in European initiatives such as platforms, networks and similar frameworks. In addition, the project seeks to encourage the participation of companies from the Valencian Region in these European initiatives.
Objectives
The purpose of this project is to boost the dynamisation of AITEX’s R&D activity in the European context through two main pillars:
- Promoting AITEX’s participation in European funding programmes
This includes participation in the main European funding programmes (Horizon Europe, European Defence Fund, ENI, INTERREG, LIFE+, among others), as well as in tenders launched by different Directorates-General (DG) of the European Commission (EC) (such as DG GROW) and their agencies, including the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), the European Defence Agency (EDA), the European Space Agency (ESA), the InvestEU Programme and the Digital Europe Programme.
In parallel, participation is also envisaged in national funding programmes such as CDTI, CERVERA CCTT, among others, as well as in projects arising from the Next Generation EU funds and the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan. In all of these, AITEX participates in R&D projects either as coordinator or as a collaborating partner. - Participation in European platforms and cooperation initiatives
This includes involvement in European platforms, initiatives and cooperation networks such as the European Technology Platform for the Future of Textiles and Clothing (Textile ETP), the Biobased Industries Consortium (BIC), the European Technology Platform for Advanced Engineering Materials and Technologies (EUMAT), TEXTRANET (European Network of Textile Research Organisations), the European Defence Agency (EDA), ACTE (European Textile Collectivities Association), A.SPIRE (Sustainable Process Industry Association), INTEROP-VLAB, INTERVAL, Water Europe, and the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), among others. Participation may take place as an associate member, as a member of the steering board or within technical working groups. In some cases, membership involves a fee, and these initiatives typically organise technical international events and meetings aimed primarily at fostering participation in European R&D programmes (for example, the Textile ETP TEPPIES event or BIC brokerage events), establishing collaborations and defining European strategic R&D lines.
Expected results
The project aims to participate in at least 15 European projects and tenders, coordinating at least 3 of them, within the main European funding programmes (Horizon Europe, ENI, INTERREG, LIFE+, PRIMA, European Defence Fund, among others), as well as 3 national programmes (CDTI, CERVERA, CCTT, Next Generation Europe, Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan). In all cases, AITEX will participate as coordinator or partner in R&D projects, as well as in tenders launched by the different Directorates-General of the European Commission (such as DG GROW) and their agencies (EISMEA), the European Defence Agency (EDA), the European Space Agency (ESA), among others.
In addition, participation is envisaged in at least 10 events organised by major European platforms, networks and cooperation initiatives (such as EUMAT, EDA, BIC, Textile ETP, INTEROP-VLAB, INTERVAL), where European-level strategic R&D lines relevant to the sector are addressed within European calls or where European R&D collaborations are defined.
Finally, participation is expected in at least 15 infodays, brokerage events, meetings, workshops and training courses, where upcoming or future European R&D funding lines are identified, along with deadlines, requirements, proposal preparation approaches and partner searches or bilateral meetings. In 2025, special attention is foreseen for events and training activities related to project management under Horizon Europe (2021–2027) and the European Defence Fund (EDF).
With this approach, AITEX reaffirms its commitment to research and international collaboration, consolidating its leadership within the European R&D ecosystem.
Grant number: PENDING
Programme: Plan of non-economic activities 2026
Period of execution: January 2026 – December 2026
Status: In progress
More information: PLAN OF ACTION
Entity: IVACE
Project supported by the Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Commerce and Tourism of the Generalitat Valenciana, through IVACE.
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R&D AREAS
New high-performance functionalised materials
Circular economy and sustainability
Advanced manufacturing, smart textiles and digitalisation
High value-added solutions for strategic markets
RELATED PROJECTS
NEWS
AITEX is present at the Babykid FIMI fair at Feria Valencia from January 26 to 28, presenting tests and certifications for children’s products.
AITEX has attended the Cosmetorium fair in Barcelona once again on October to present its new products for the cosmetic sector.
AITEX has hosted the LIFE POLITEX workshop entitled “Closing the textile polyester cycle: challenges and opportunities”, based on promoting sustainable solutions for the management and recycling of textile materials.