La Rioja’s CTCR is a hotbed of innovation
16/09/2015
These figures came to light during a visit to the centre in mid-September by the Rioja regional government minister for economic development and innovation, Leonor González Menorca.
CTCR president, Basilio García (who also runs the Hergar footwear group in Arnedo) and director general, Javier Oñate, said on showing Ms González Menorca the facilities that current projects include ideas looking at how footwear production can be enhanced by nanotechnology, electronics, automation and fast prototyping, as well as ways of improving the industry’s environmental footprint and its use of up-to-date communications and IT.
Six of the current projects focus on Spain, one on the global industry and 22 on the European shoe sector. Among the European projects are three for which CTCR aims to secure funding as part of the European Commission’s 2015 LIFE (Financial Instrument for the Environment and Climate Action) programme.
La Rioja has reported footwear exports with a value of €114 million for the first six months of 2015. This represents growth of 15% compared to the same period last year.
Image (courtesy of CTCR) shows, from left to right: Javier Oñate, Leonor González Menorca, Basilio García and Sara Jiménez (director of the CTCR electronics and automation department).
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