- TECNALIA drives innovation in foundry processes seeking to generate economic and social impact through increased competitiveness with a sustainable approach. We are involved in the conceptualisation of new materials and processes to their industrialisation:
- New alloys and improvements to existing alloys, adapted to today’s need for versatility and flexibility in the incorporation of raw materials, while maintaining advanced properties for demanding service conditions. Foundry steered towards new materials, including light metals, special steels and high value-added alloys.
- More efficient and sustainable processes, with reduced manufacturing times and lower energy consumption and costs. Hybridisation and development of more sustainable and efficient heating systems (renewable fuels, electric plasma, microwaves). Reduction of emissions.
- Digitalisation: advanced simulation and modelling of solidification processes and defectology, digital twins, and real-time control applying artificial intelligence techniques to foundry processes in order to optimise costs, the micro-structure and the performance of materials and equipment.
- Recovery, valorisation and circular economy technologies: use of residual heat, incorporation of scrap into high value-added alloys and valorisation of foundry by-products. Recovery of foundry sand. Recovery of high-value metals from waste.
- Automation of resource and labour-intensive processes. Methodologies and solutions for the transfer and preservation of technical know-how in foundry to avoid decapitalisation and the challenge of talent attraction.
- Application of cybersecurity solutions adapted to the sector and the different links of the supply chain. Digital Product Passport.
- Entire innovation chain: from laboratory research, pilot testing on a semi-industrial scale to industrial prototyping and in-plant validation, including process monitoring and characterisation of cast components.
- TECNALIA is the largest centre of applied research and technological development in Spain, a benchmark in Europe and a member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance. We collaborate with companies and institutions to improve their competitiveness, people's quality of life and achieve sustainable growth. We do it thanks to people who are passionate about technology and committed to building a better society.
- Its main scopes of action are: Smart Manufacturing, Digital Transformation, Energy Transition, Sustainable Mobility, Personalized Health and Urban Ecosystem.