Green Manufacturing Stories brings together the voices of the organisations and people who have contributed to shaping greener and more innovative manufacturing ecosystems across the Mediterranean. Throughout this series, we explore regional experiences, success factors, and lessons learned from the implementation of this approach, highlighting the value of cooperation in accelerating the transition towards more sustainable production models.
In this interview, we explore the experience of our partners EURECAT and TEXFOR in Catalonia and the key lessons learned throughout the GREENSMARTMED project. We will do this through the perspective of Maria Zaragoza Llanes, Martina Griful-Dones, Innovation Consultants at EURECAT and Paula Cabeza, Junior Project Manager at TEXFOR.
In this article you will find insights into stakeholder engagement, industrial transition, and the role of transnational cooperation in supporting more sustainable manufacturing ecosystems.
About Eurecat, TEXFOR and their role in GREENSMARTMED
Could you briefly introduce your organisation and explain why participating in GREENSMARTMED was strategically important for you?
Eurecat is the leading technology centre of Catalonia, bringing together multidisciplinary expertise in advanced manufacturing, sustainability and materials innovation. As a key actor in the regional innovation ecosystem, it connects industry, research organisations and public institutions to accelerate technological development.
TEXFOR is Spain’s leading textile industry confederation, representing textile companies while promoting competitiveness, sustainability, innovation and skills development through advisory services, training and collaborative projects.For both organisations, participating in GREENSMARTMED represented a strategic opportunity to strengthen an emerging connection between two sectors that have traditionally evolved separately: textiles and forestry. While the textile industry is increasingly seeking sustainable and traceable cellulose-based raw materials, Catalonia’s forestry sector holds significant biomass resources that remain largely underutilised.
“GREENSMARTMED enabled us to connect two traditionally separate sectors and lay the foundations for a new forest–textile value chain based on sustainable cellulose resources”
What are the main characteristics and strengths of your local manufacturing ecosystem?
Catalonia combines a long industrial tradition with a dynamic innovation ecosystem built around SMEs, research centres, universities, clusters and public institutions.
Its textile industry is among the strongest in Spain, with more than 1,700 companies covering the entire value chain, while forests cover around 41% of the regional territory, representing an important natural resource with significant untapped potential. The main strength of the ecosystem lies in the possibility of connecting these two sectors. By combining forest biomass resources with advanced textile innovation, Catalonia can reduce its dependence on imported cellulose, support circular bio-based production and create new opportunities for sustainable manufacturing.
This transition is further supported by the regional RIS3CAT Strategy, which encourages collaboration between industry, research and public authorities.
Why did you consider the GREENSMARTMED methodology particularly relevant for your territory?
The GREENSMARTMED methodology proved particularly valuable because it addressed a shared regional challenge through a structured process of stakeholder engagement, co-creation and collaboration.
The methodology helped participants move from recognising common challenges—such as the growing demand for sustainable cellulose and the underutilisation of forest resources—to jointly defining priorities, identifying opportunities and developing a shared vision for a new industrial value chain. Beyond stakeholder engagement, the approach also supports long-term systemic change by encouraging innovation, cross-sectoral cooperation and stronger alignment with regional smart specialisation strategies.
Building a Cross-Sectoral Manufacturing Community
How was your local Core Group formed?
The Regional Core Group was coordinated by Eurecat and TEXFOR, with the active involvement of the Government of Catalonia (Generalitat de Catalunya) and the Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC). Each partner contributed complementary expertise, ranging from textile innovation and forestry knowledge to policy support and ecosystem facilitation.
The group also included research organisations, universities, innovation hubs, business support organisations and civil society representatives, creating a truly multi-actor environment for collaboration.
Key Figures
- Around 25 stakeholders involved
- 9 textile SMEs
- 3 forestry and 2 textiles Business Support Organisations
- Government of Catalonia
- Research centres and universities (CTFC, universities, hub and clusters)
- Innovation hubs and civil society organisations
These figures demonstrate the strong engagement of the regional manufacturing ecosystem throughout the project.
What main activities did you carry out with the Core Group?
The Core Group organised participatory workshops, co-creation sessions, thematic working meetings and roundtables aimed at strengthening collaboration between the forestry and textile sectors.
Participants worked together to analyse the so-called “cellulose gap”, identify barriers and opportunities, define strategic priorities and develop the first elements of a shared action plan and governance model for the emerging value chain. Pilot demonstrations and practical initiatives organised by associated partners also helped translate discussions into concrete examples of collaboration.
How was the methodology initially received by participants?
The methodology was positively received, particularly because it offered stakeholders a structured environment to exchange ideas and jointly explore future opportunities. The main challenge involved coordinating participants’ availability, especially companies operating in highly dynamic sectors with frequent commitments related to trade fairs, business events and industrial activities. Despite these constraints, engagement remained consistently high throughout the process thanks to the relevance of the shared challenge.
Video Interviews: Engaging SMEs and Building Collaboration
In this video, Xavier Solanes, Head of the ARESCAT, interviewed by Maria Zaragoza Llanes as part of the Core Group process, shares with us the challenges and perspectives of building a sustainable business that transforms aerospace carbon fiber waste into high-performance composite materials and innovative solutions for high-value industries.
Topics covered
- Challenges facing the forestry sector within the broader context of the primary sector
- Difficulties in fostering collaboration among different companies and strengthening synergies
- The importance of further promoting dialogue among different operational stakeholders (harvesters and suppliers)
The second interview includes the contribution of Ricard Artigas, Ceo of Textile Olius, interviewed by Montserrat Pérez. Many food-for-thought insights, ranging from financial aspects to the importance of creating spaces for discussion and fostering the conditions needed to implement sustainable solutions.
Topics covered
- The importance of financial support and industrial policy in the textile sector, including coherent and enforceable legislation.
- The need to promote diverse sustainability-related roles and allocate dedicated human resources.
- Funding for equipment and machinery that enable both sustainable and competitive production.
- Strengthening cooperation among actors across the entire value chain.
The added value of transnation cooperation
Was there a practice from another partner country that inspired you?
One of the most valuable aspects of the project was the opportunity to exchange experiences with regions characterised by different industrial ecosystems and levels of maturity. Learning from partners that had already developed stronger bio-based value chains and more integrated collaboration models offered useful insights into how similar approaches could be adapted and scaled within the Catalan context.
What is the main added value of participating in an Interreg Euro-MED project?
The greatest value lies in the transnational dimension of the programme. Working with partners across the Mediterranean makes it possible to compare different approaches, validate ideas in diverse contexts and accelerate learning processes. Rather than simply exchanging good practices, transnational cooperation strengthens innovation by helping regions challenge existing assumptions, develop more robust solutions and create new opportunities for future collaboration.
What concrete outcomes do you expect after the project?
The project has already created stronger relationships among companies, research organisations, public authorities and intermediary organisations. Looking ahead, the partners expect these connections to evolve into a structured action plan supporting the development of a new forest–textile value chain, reinforced by future regional and European funding opportunities. Perhaps the project’s most important legacy is the shared vision developed among stakeholders and the collective commitment to continue working together beyond the project’s lifetime.
What recommendation would you give to other territories interested in replicating the approach?
Building trust among stakeholders should be the first priority. Bringing together actors from different sectors requires time, openness and continuous dialogue. Following a structured methodology such as GREENSMARTMED provides a solid framework, but success ultimately depends on adapting the approach to local conditions while encouraging proactive participation and lasting relationships between ecosystem actors.
Key Takeaways
- GREENSMARTMED connected Catalonia’s textile and forestry sectors around a shared sustainability challenge.
- The Regional Core Group engaged around 25 stakeholders representing industry, research, public authorities and intermediary organisations.
- The project helped define a common vision for a new forest–textile value chain based on sustainable cellulose resources.
- Co-creation activities strengthened collaboration and laid the foundations for future regional initiatives.
- Transnational cooperation accelerated learning and reinforced Catalonia’s transition towards a more circular and bio-based manufacturing ecosystem.
