Industrial decarbonization, process electrification, and the adoption of alternative fuels like hydrogen are transforming energy-intensive ceramic manufacturing across Europe. By integrating real-time process modelling, additive manufacturing, critical raw material recovery, and severe environmental health monitoring, such as Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) and nanoparticle tracking, technology hubs are driving the shift toward Industry 5.0.
Through pilot-scale testing facilities and collaborative living labs, research organizations enable tile, glaze, and advanced material producers to validate clean technologies before full industrial deployment. The strategic initiatives behind green graphite production, aerospace ceramic coatings, and the newly launched European BRISA project are detailed in an executive interview with Irina Celades López, Technical Director and Secretary to the Governing Council at ITC (Institute of Ceramic Technology).
A brief description of the company and its activities.
Irina Celades López: The Institute of Ceramic Technology (ITC) is a Spanish technology centre with more than 50 years of experience in research, innovation and knowledge transfer. Its mission is to provide sustainable technological solutions that strengthen the competitiveness of the ceramic industry and related sectors.
ITC supports companies through applied R&D and innovation projects, specialised technological services, technical consultancy, training and technology transfer. Its multidisciplinary team works with advanced laboratories and pilot plants to develop and validate solutions under conditions close to industrial practice.
What are the main areas of activity of the company?
I.C.L: ITC’s main areas of activity are advanced and sustainable materials, industrial decarbonisation, digital transformation, circular economy, environmental health, process modelling, sustainable chemistry, and sustainable construction and cities.
Although ITC has extensive expertise in ceramic materials and manufacturing, its capabilities are also applied in fields such as construction, energy, aerospace, environmental technologies, water treatment and advanced manufacturing.
What’s the news about new products/services?
I.C.L: One of ITC’s most important recent developments is the approval of a new project in which the Institute will lead a Living Lab focused on advanced materials. It will provide a collaborative environment where companies and research organisations can develop, test and validate innovative materials and technologies under conditions close to industrial applications and will strengthen technology transfer.
ITC has also expanded its strategic research activities with new lines focused on process modelling and sustainable chemistry. Other recent developments include obtaining “green” graphite from plant waste, developing advanced ceramics for aerospace applications and strengthening its capabilities in industrial decarbonisation, process electrification, alternative fuels, carbon capture and critical-raw-material recovery. In addition, the ITC is leading an ambitious project: BRISA, a European initiative launched in June 2026 and focused on industry, with particular relevance to the ceramic sector in Castellón (Spain). Its aim is to implement clean technologies, reduce pollutant emissions, and improve occupational safety.
The project involves 16 additional partners and seeks to test industrial technologies that reduce risks to human health and biodiversity. The goal is to implement these solutions in 600 to 800 industrial facilities, protecting more than 45,000 workers by 2035 and reducing material and energy consumption.
What are the ranges of products/services?
I.C.L: ITC’s portfolio comprises R&D and innovation, specialised technological services, and training and knowledge transfer.
Its services include:
- Development, characterisation and validation of ceramic and other advanced materials.
- Product testing according to national and international standards.
- Functional coatings, membranes, filters and materials for energy and aerospace applications.
- Additive manufacturing, 3D prototyping and digital printing.
- Optimisation, automation, monitoring and modelling of industrial processes.
- Energy audits and assessment of electrification, hydrogen and alternative fuels.
- Emissions, air-quality and occupational-exposure monitoring.
- Waste recovery, industrial symbiosis and critical-raw-material recovery.
- Life Cycle Assesmment, circularity, SSbD and sustainability assessments.
- Sustainable construction and product-design trend analysis.
- Pilot-plant trials and specialised training for companies.
What is the state of the market where you are currently active?
I.C.L: Around 70% of our markets focus on ceramic tiles, frits, glazes, ceramic colours and ceramic machinery. We also operate in other sectors where we are establishing ourselves as leaders in Spain, such as industrialised construction. We also work with the sanitaryware and bathroom fittings sector, tableware and earthenware, glass, concrete, cement, as well as aggregates and mining. Currently, the Spanish ceramics cluster, following a relatively stable 2025 despite the geopolitical landscape and rises in energy costs, has remained fairly stable, although, the first months of 2026 have shown a slowdown. Turnover, production and exports have declined, while domestic sales and employment have proved more resilient. Internationally, the market continues to be affected by weak construction activity in some key European countries, energy costs, geopolitical instability, trade barriers and strong competition from non-European producers. Against this background, Spanish manufacturers continue to compete through quality, design, innovation, service and the value associated with products made in Spain and the European Union.
What can you tell us about market trends?
I.C.L: The main market trends are closely linked to sustainability, decarbonisation, digitalisation and the development of higher-value products. Manufacturers are seeking to reduce energy and raw-material consumption, incorporate recycled materials, recover industrial waste and lower the carbon footprint of products and processes and even in buildings.
There is also growing interest in electrification, alternative fuels, hydrogen, carbon capture and more efficient thermal processes. Digital technologies, including real-time monitoring, artificial intelligence, process modelling and predictive control, are becoming increasingly important for improving productivity, quality and flexibility.
At product level, the market is moving towards advanced and multifunctional surfaces, customised solutions and materials offering improved durability, safety and environmental performance. Building renovation and sustainable construction may generate new opportunities. At the same time, geopolitical uncertainty, tariffs and changing international trade rules are encouraging companies to diversify markets, strengthen supply chains and differentiate themselves through innovation.
What are the most innovative products/services marketed?
I.C.L: Among ITC’s most innovative capabilities are its pilot-scale industrial decarbonisation services, which enable companies to assess electric thermal processes, hydrogen, alternative fuels and energy-saving measures before industrial implementation.
Other examples include advanced and functional materials for energy and aerospace applications; additive manufacturing; real-time process monitoring, modelling and simulation; advanced digital printing; recovery of critical raw materials and the transformation of industrial and agricultural waste into new resources.
ITC also provides advanced environmental services for monitoring emerging pollutants, nanoparticles and RCS (respirable crystalline silica), together with environmental sustainability assessment and communication services.
What estimations do you have for the second half of 2026?
I.C.L: ITC will continue to work closely with the ceramic industry. Thanks to its long experience in ceramics, ITC now transfers this expertise to other industries, helping them become more innovative, efficient and sustainable.
Training remains a key priority. Numerous courses are scheduled between now and the end of the year, including tailor-made programmes for companies and general training initiatives aimed at the ceramic sector and other industries.
Advanced ceramics, the recovery of critical raw materials, and the application of Artificial Intelligence, together with modelling technologies and the transition towards Industry 5.0, are among the strategic areas we will continue to promote in the coming months.
We will continue to strengthen collaborative R&D projects with companies.
Our essence is to innovate with purpose and help companies achieve greater competitiveness in an increasingly complex global environment.
We embrace challenges as they drive the development of validated solutions that create lasting value for industry.
