Clara Bilbao

The ATALAYA project forms part of the CERVERA network of excellence and promotes research into technological solutions to detect and protect against nuclear, radiological, chemical and biological (NRCB) threats.

The GAIKER Technology Centre, a member of the Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA), is participating in the Cervera ATALAYA Network of Excellence, a strategic project aimed at developing advanced technologies to detect, identify, monitor and protect against CBRN threats.

The aim of the project is to establish a network of technology centres of scientific and technical excellence in the field of security against CBRN threats. In particular, it focuses on the development of technologies capable of preventing, detecting and responding to crisis situations arising from the deliberate or accidental use of these threats.

In the current European security environment, characterised by the growing complexity of threats and the use of indirect methods that are difficult to anticipate, the need for advanced technological solutions is becoming increasingly urgent. The detection, identification, monitoring, protection and decontamination of CBRN agents require a multidisciplinary approach that integrates advances in sensor engineering, biotechnology, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and communication systems.

In this context, the ATALAYA network promotes a programme of work aimed at generating knowledge and technological capabilities that can be transferred to industry, in order to address five key challenges: detect and identify threats, protect infrastructure and people, decontaminate affected environments and improve emergency response.

The network, which forms part of the Cervera grant scheme for Technology Centres of excellence in areas linked to the Industrial and Technological Plan for Security and Defence, is led by the ITENE Technology Centre, and involves the participation of the GAIKER, LUREDERRA, NAITEC and INESCOP technology centres, forming an ecosystem of scientific cooperation geared towards technology transfer to industry.

GAIKER’s work
The GAIKER Technology Centre, with extensive experience in the development of biodetection and water treatment technologies, is part of the ATALAYA network, leading and contributing to the development of new solutions to detect biological agents and the decontaminate environments affected by chemical compounds.

In the field of detection, GAIKER is leading the design, development and validation of a new generation of biosensors based on advanced genetic technologies, which are able to quickly and precisely detect biological agents directly in the affected environments. These devices combine advanced genetic analysis techniques (LAMP and CRISPR-Cas) to specifically identify pathogens, providing rapid and reliable results.

In the field of decontamination, GAIKER is developing advanced technologies for the treatment of contaminated water and environments, using efficient and sustainable solutions designed to neutralise biological and chemical agents. To do so, research is being carried out into the use of advanced oxidation processes for the degradation of pollutants present in water, including bacteria, pharmaceutical compounds, herbicides, pesticides and persistent organic pollutants, such as PFAs. The Technology Centre is also researching complementary technologies based on membranes, electro-oxidation and adsorption in order to design a compact, modular, transportable and rapid-response system for water decontamination in critical infrastructures.

Finally, these developments will be assessed against particularly significant chemical and biological agents, helping to strengthen the response capacity in CBRN scenarios.

GAIKER’s participation in the Cervera ATALAYA Network reinforces its commitment to the development of dual-use technologies to protect against emerging threats, and contributes to the development of solutions that have a direct impact on society’s security and resilience.

This project is funded by grants for “Cervera” Technology Centres of Excellence under the 2025 call for proposals, as part of the National Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation 2024–2027.

The project will develop a cross-border value chain to promote the reuse and recycling of textile waste using innovative circular economy solutions.

GAIKER Technology Centre, a member of the Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA), is taking part in the CircularTexEFA project, “Textile circularity in the border region: optimisation and cooperation for sorting, pre-treatment and recycling of textile waste”, which is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg VI-A Spain-France-Andorra programme (POCTEFA 2021–2027).

The project, which will run from 2026 to 2028, brings together eleven organisations from Spain and France with the aim of establishing a cross-border circular textile value chain, by organising collection, reuse and recycling schemes for textile waste and promoting more sustainable management of these materials.

CircularTexEFA was created to address the challenge of reducing the volume of textile waste sent to landfill or incineration, by promoting its recovery and reintegration into new production cycles. To this end, the project brings together the stakeholders in the textile value chain — industry, social economy organisations, waste management companies, public authorities and technology centres — with the aim of creating synergies and accelerating the transition towards more circular models.

The methodology is structured around an initial phase of territorial analysis and assessment of textile waste collection and treatment systems, together with an evaluation of the technologies available for their processing. Based on this, an action plan will be drawn up in order to roll out of an efficient cross-border value chain. A demonstration pilot project will be launched later on to cover all stages of the process, from collecting and sorting textile waste to turning it into secondary raw materials using mechanical, thermomechanical and chemical recycling technologies, as well as manufacturing new products using recycled materials.

As part of the project, GAIKER, as an expert in recycling and circular economy, is helping to draw up the study and the action plan for the development of the cross-border textile recycling value chain. It will also research and demonstrate chemical recycling technologies for post-consumer polyester textile waste, with a view to producing high value-added products that can be reintroduced into the industry.

The project consortium
The CircularTexEFA consortium is made up of eleven organisations from Spain and France representing all the stages of the value chain in the textile and waste management sectors. Coordinated by ESTIA, the project includes PLAXTIL, KOOPERA, CETIA, CLOSSA, PICVISA, JR SL, SOKOA, LORPEN, GARBIKER Bizkaia and GAIKER.

Este proyecto está cofinanciado en un 65 % por la Unión Europea en el marco del programa Interreg VI-A España–Francia–Andorra (POCTEFA 2021–2027), cuyo objetivo es reforzar la integración económica y social de la zona transfronteriza.

At GAIKER, we are developing advanced solvolysis solutions for the chemical recycling of plastics, bioplastics and composites, aimed at recovering waste and reclaiming high-value raw materials.

We are working on developing innovative chemical recycling processes using a range of different approaches, such as plastic-to-plastic, plastic-to-chemicals and plastic-to-oil & gas, thereby contributing to the transition towards more efficient, sustainable circular economy models.

We also have specialised equipment and pilot plants that allow us to scale up and validate processes under conditions similar to those found in an industrial setting, thereby facilitating the transfer of technology to industry.

Technological services

• Chemical recycling of PET, PU, PA, PLA, PHA, PBS, CFRP and GFRP using solvolysis processes.
  Glycolysis, hydrolysis, methanolysis and acidolysis.
• Characterisation and conditioning of materials to be treated by solvolysis process.
  Determination of composition and key parameters such as moisture content, density, particle size and composition. Removal of impurities, reduction in size and optimisation of the material for chemical treatment.
• Obtaining monomers and fibres through solvolysis tests and purification operations.
• Analysis and validation of monomers and fibres recovered using the solvolysis process. Pilot-scale assessment.
• Scale-up to a pilot plant for selected processes.
• Conceptual and basic engineering of plants for depolymerising waste using solvolysis.
• Design of depolymerisation plants using catalytic solvolysis and purification of the reaction mixture.
• Assessment of the economic, technical and environmental feasibility of solvolysis processes.
• Comprehensive analysis with the aim of implementing the processes developed in industry in the future.

Equipment:

• 0.5 – 1 – 2 l glass reactors
• 10 l stainless steel reactor
• High pressure Parr reactor (250 bar and 450°C)
• High temperature Parr reactor (up to 800°C)
• High pressure autoclave reactor
• Pilot plants with 140-300 l reactors for industrial scale-up

At GAIKER, we are helping to transform waste into new opportunities for value, by promoting sustainable technological solutions for industry.

Please contact us if you would like to learn more about how we can help you with your chemical recycling and waste recovery processes

GAIKER specialises in the assessment of the safety and efficacy of molecules, compounds or final products using different models. Our in vitro and ex vivo tests on human skin models provide quality solutions for the dermo-cosmetic, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical sectors. We have the capacity to perform customised studies on the mechanisms of action of active ingredients, as well as studies based on conventional protocols and GLP requirements in accordance with international guidelines, such as the FDA or the EMA.

Our work includes tube tests, cell cultures (keratinocytes, dermal fibroblasts, immune system cells…), 3D models and ex vivo human skin explants. Moreover, we have well-equipped laboratories for cell culture, molecular biology, proteomics-genomics (including Microbiome analysis) with state-of-the-art equipment, such as: scanning electron microscope (SEM), confocal microscope, our cell bank, biofilm reactor, flow cytometer, Franz cells, UPLC…

Techniques have been developed to generate a series of skin models with different aetiologies, such as sensitive skin, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, reddish skin etc., presenting the same determining characteristics of skin with a specific pathology. We also have the capacity to develop organotypic cultures with specific pathologies that enable us to simulate skin models that reproduce the characteristics of ulcerated or burnt skin.

GAIKER, a member of the Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA), will attend EQUIPLAST, the leading event for the plastics and rubber industry, between June 2 and 5.

The fair will be held at the Fira Barcelona Gran Via exhibition centre, and bring together more than 400 exhibitors and the sector’s most innovative and leading companies. This event will bring together companies from key sectors such as packaging, the automotive industry and construction, with the aim of showcasing innovative, sustainable solutions that will drive the circular economy and the transition towards a greener future.

At this year’s event, GAIKER will once again share a stand with CEP, where it will showcase a range of technological samples and demonstrators developed as part of projects related to its areas of expertise: compounding and recovery, functional polymers, plastic electronics, bio-based polymers, packaging materials and sustainable composites.

Come and visit our stand (Calle A, Stand 41) to learn more about our technological developments and areas of research for yourself!

GAIKER, a member of the Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA), will take part at IFAT, the leading international trade fair for the environmental sector, which is being held in Munich this year between May 4 and 7.

The technology centre will share a stand with Aclima-Basque Environment Cluster, bringing together 20 partners with the aim of strengthening the environmental ecosystem of the Basque Country. This space will become a hub to showcase the solutions and capabilities of the companies involved, host events and presentations, and provide opportunities for professional meetings and networking with potential customers, partners and key actors in the sector.

At this edition, GAIKER will present its technological offer in the field of recycling and the circular economy, showing its commitment to innovative, sustainable solutions.

IFAT is the largest international platform dedicated to environmental technologies, particularly in the fields of water, recycling and the circular economy. As well as showcasing solutions, the event acts as a knowledge-sharing and networking hub for leading representatives from the sector from around the world.

Come and visit us at stand B4.332 and find out about the latest innovations in recycling and the circular economy!