Key reinforcement for research and energy in Aragon

The Aragonese Technology District (DAT Alierta) continues to grow and attract the brightest of minds. The Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) in Aragon has just acquired two new plots that total 25,000 m² within this thriving technological hub. This agreement, which was signed on 10th June, marks a milestone in boosting research and technology transfer in the region.

An energy hub and more space for science

The first of the plots, covering 5,000 m², will be located next to the Institute of Carbochemistry (ICB) and will be dedicated to an innovative energy hub for the development of crucial projects related to carbon capture, renewable hydrogen, nanoscience and batteries, all strategic areas for a sustainable future.

The second, a much larger plot of 20,000 m², will aid the expansion of laboratories and research groups. This is vital to accommodate the growing scientific activity that the CSIC is promoting in Aragon.

Mar Vaquero, Vice President of Aragon, highlighted that DAT Alierta is consolidating its position as a “leading technological hub in Europe”, especially due to the unique synergies being created between the education, business, and innovation sectors. Claudia Pérez, Minister for Employment, Science and Universities, emphasised the fundamental role of the CSIC in strategic projects for the community, especially in energy, agriculture, and climate change.

The CSIC in Aragon: a research giant

The CSIC in Aragon is a driving force of knowledge, with a staff of 600 professionals, which includes 220 researchers, and manages 241 active projects with a budget exceeding 63 million euros. Its institutes include the Institute of Chemical Synthesis and Homogeneous Catalysis (ISQCH), the Institute of Nanoscience and Materials of Aragon (INMA), the Aula Dei Experimental Station (EEAD), and the headquarters of the Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (IPE).

This expansion in DAT Alierta not only strengthens the CSIC’s collaboration with universities and companies, but also aligns perfectly with Aragon’s strategies for decarbonisation and the attraction of major technological investments. It is another step toward positioning the region as a benchmark for research and innovation at both national and international level.