CIRCE Grows Over 21% in 2021, Reaching €13.1 Million and Strengthening Its Impact on the Industry

The CIRCE technology center continues on a growth trajectory, closing the 2021 fiscal year with revenues of €13.1 million, of which €4.9 million (+21%) came from projects with companies, and €8.2 million (+22%) resulted from returns from competitive funds. As a result, CIRCE grew by more than 21% in 2021 compared to the previous year, due to the greater impact achieved through its work in technology transfer to the business sector.

The European projects initiated by CIRCE over the past year have mobilized significant investments aimed at improving the competitiveness of the companies collaborating with the technology center. In total, this has generated a return of €13.4 million for Spanish entities and €9.3 million for Aragonese organizations that have participated with CIRCE in these R&D&I projects.

The return secured to carry out these projects amounted to €7.2 million, of which €5.9 million came from funding from the European Union’s most prestigious program, the new Horizon Europe, through 11 research projects, 3 of which were coordinated; €1.2 million came from projects with national funding, and €71,000 from projects under other European programs.

Innovation aligned with industry needs

All this research focused on energy and sustainability has been aligned with the needs of productive sectors, allowing CIRCE to continue growing and ensuring its mission to transfer technological solutions based on industry needs, thereby making a more significant impact through the R&D funds obtained from Europe. In this context, CIRCE increased its client portfolio, reaching 270 in 2021, with a special focus on cutting-edge sectors such as energy communities or hybridization of storage combined with renewable energies.

Among the technology transfer initiatives developed over the past year, notable projects include H24NEWAGE, funded by the Cervera Technological Centers call, dedicated to research in the hydrogen technology value chain; the development of microwave-assisted pyrolysis and gasification technologies applied to plastic recycling; the design and implementation of technologies to develop solid-state transformers; the demonstration of innovative rehabilitation and monitoring methodologies in sustainable building; and the analysis of the implementation of bio-based value chains.

CIRCE's goal for 2022 is to ensure the acceleration of energy transition and decarbonization of the industry through technology. Additionally, the aim is to surpass €7 million in returns under the Horizon Europe program to carry out innovative developments in areas such as the operation and maintenance of photovoltaic parks, the design and optimization of energy communities, the circularity of urban solid waste, and the limitation of nitrogen and phosphorus emissions.

Staff growth and commitment to professional development

The workforce has grown by 21% to 264 professionals to ensure its mission of transferring technological solutions based on the needs of the business sector.

This positive outcome has been largely possible due to the growth of CIRCE’s workforce, which reached 264 professionals by the end of last year, including both hired employees and trainees, representing a 21% increase compared to 2020. Demonstrating its commitment to the professional development of its staff, the technology center promoted 210 training sessions throughout 2021 as part of its training offerings, amounting to 9,400 hours of instruction provided.

Additionally, the entity launched the first edition of CIRCE Academy with 25 participants, a two-year young talent program that allows them to train at a continuously growing technology center, guided by professionals with extensive experience in the sector.

With the aim of strengthening Corporate Social Responsibility, CIRCE took a further step by obtaining the RSA+ seal promoted by the Government of Aragón and renewing the Great Place To Work Spain certification, ranking 23rd among the best companies with 250 to 500 employees to work for in Spain.