EIT Manufacturing and Advanced Factories strengthen commitment to innovation and sustainability in manufacturing industry

EIT Manufacturing, Europe’s largest manufacturing innovation community supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, will participate for the fifth consecutive year as a strategic partner in Advanced Factories, taking place from 8-10 April 2025 at Fira de Barcelona Gran Vía. EIT Manufacturing will showcase its pivotal role in fostering sustainable and innovative solutions to tackle the manufacturing sector’s most pressing challenges.

By fostering collaboration among startups, research centres and universities, the organisation accelerates the adoption of new technologies, promotes entrepreneurship and encourages sustainability across the sector.

Antoni Pijoan, Managing Director of EIT Manufacturing West, states: ‘Our ongoing partnership with Advanced Factories allows us to remain part of a key event in the industrial transformation of our country. Furthermore, thanks to our network of over 200 partners, we open the doors to Europe and become the gateway for companies, startups, technology centre and universities on a European Scale. Our commitment to competitiveness, innovation and sustainability in manufacturing is unwavering, and we are grateful to continue collaborating with industry leaders.’

Albert Planas, Director of Advanced Factories, highlights: ‘We are pleased to renew our collaboration with EIT Manufacturing year after year, driving innovation in the manufacturing sector through automation, robotics, artificial intelligence and the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies to enhance the productivity of production plants.’

Five years pioneering industrial innovation

In 2025, EIT Manufacturing West, covering Spain, France and Portugal, celebrates its fifth anniversary. Based in Donostia-San Sebastián, a strategic hub connecting the three countries, the region has built a network of nearly 60 partners and collaborators.

During Advanced Factories, EIT Manufacturing will unveil details about its new annual call for proposals in a session to be held on 9 April in the Workshop Arena. This call aims to drive more sustainable, resilient and competitive manufacturing in Europe. This initiative is aimed at companies, SMEs, startups, technology centres and universities seeking to bring innovative solutions to the manufacturing industry.  

In the last 2025 call, EIT Manufacturing allocated more than 15 million euros to collaborative projects, of which 3.7 million euros went to initiatives with the participation of various Spanish entities, a total of 6 of the 29 projects approved at European level, representing more than 20% of the selected initiatives.  

Industry 4.0 Congress

In addition, EIT Manufacturing will play a key role at the Industry 4.0 Congress, showcasing some of the most disruptive projects and solutions recently developed. A standout moment will be the roundtable on sustainability and Net Zero, taking place on 9 April, featuring key players like BeChained, Energiency, MC Sonae and Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech (UPC).