About Leitat

Leitat is a private research center with more than 110 years of experience in industrial innovation processes. We transform technological and scientific results into economic and competitive value for our clients and collaborating entities. Over 2100 customers benefit from our talent, creativity and strong commitment. We bring knowledge and innovation to our customers through applied research and technical testing in the fields of chemistry, energy, environment, materials, engineering and life sciences. We rely upon our 550 highly skilled team members who deliver flexible solutions to face any industrial challenge.

Research and Development Projects

Leitat is very well established in the Spanish national and international R&D ecosystem thanks to a continuous and committed participation in various funding schemes. Leitat has participated in more than 300 large European research and innovation projects out of which around 30% are coordinated. Furthermore, Leitat takes part and works as a technology partner in several initiatives and knowledge platforms that demonstrate its reliability as a dynamic agent in technological transfer and innovation planning for businesses.

Our Departments

Applied Chemistry & Materials (ACM)

The Applied Chemistry and Materials department develops innovative solutions for products and technological processes in the transport, energy, environment, cosmetics and detergency sectors, among others. The department offers integral solutions and can work from the synthesis of new molecules or ingredients to the formulation, transformation of materials and validation of finished products in their final application. In addition, with a focus on circular chemistry, the department dedicates resources to recycling and waste recovery processes.

Digital Industry (DI)

The Digital Industry department focuses on the development, tech transfer and adoption of technologies and innovative solutions enabling the transition to a digital, sustainable and competitive industry. The expertise comprises different points of the value chain and the technology lifetime/TRL for key enabling technologies of the digital transition: Digital Manufacturing (Additive Manufacturing, Robotics), Data & Advanced Sensors (Diagnostic Devices&On Chip Technologies, Advanced Sensors, Photonics&Vision), Connectivity & Information (Industrial IoT, Artificial Intelligence and Software engineering) as well as Smart Product Development. The activity is transversal to multiple sectors, although major part of the activity is mainly directed to the health and industrial sectors (manufacturing, transport, MedTech, energy).

Circular Economy & Decarbonization (CED)

The Circular Economy and Decarbonisation department performs applied research and development on innovative technologies and strategies for sustainable and safe production, the efficient management of natural resources and energy, the incorporation of biotechnologies and the bioeconomy in the industrial environment, as well as the valorisation of waste flows and the decarbonisation of production processes. The department offers comprehensive solutions along the entire value chain in sectors such as agri-food, chemistry and materials, energy, environment, and urban environment, among others.

Health & Biomedicine (H&B)

The Health & Biomedicine department is focused on two key aspects of the field: therapy and diagnosis. H&B works on the identification, characterization, and validation of therapeutic targets in different diseases (Oncology, Dermatology, Regenerative Medicine, Neurodegeneration and others) and, on the generation and characterization of new therapeutic entities by multiple technologies and validated assays (in vitro, ex-vivo & in vivo). It’s worth noting the Biologics Unit that covers the full value chain of monoclonal antibodies development including nanobodies, scFv, humanization and phage display libraries. Complementary to research in therapy; biomarkers are investigated in different biofluids (blood, plasma, urine, saliva) for the diagnosis, prognosis, response to therapy and monitoring of the progression of pathologies.

Advanced Technology Services (STA)

The Advanced Technological Services department is made up of of nine in-house testing laboratories and a team of technicians with extensive experience in the testing of all types of materials (plastics, metals, wood, composites, etc.), as well as in the measurement of parts and components. It is backed by more than thirty years of experience working under ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 quality standards. STA focuses its activity on the characterisation and determination of the behaviour of materials, parts and components aimed at a wide variety of sectors, such as the automotive, fashion, packaging, aeronautics, the medical sector, etc., providing reliability in its results, offering solutions, and assessing the customer to meet their expectations. It also develops and fine-tunes its own methods necessary to obtain results when there is no reference standard.

Leitat is the Notified Inspection Body no. 0162, authorized by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism for the performance of the Conformity Assessment (Marking EC) of Personal Protective Equipment according to the regulation 89/686/EEC, as well as quality control assessment of finished products (Article 11A) for personal protective equipment of category III, which offer protection against serious risk or danger.

 

Initiatives

International Advanced Manufacturing 3D Hub

The IAM 3D Hub is a meeting point and a shared work center for private companies, public agents and research centres at local and international level. It aims to accelerate the adoption and development of additive manufacturing and 3D printing technologies as an alternative way to design, develop and manufacture new competitive products and services that strengthens their competitiveness. Defined as a Digital Innovation Hub in Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing, the Hub provides SMEs a “One-Stop” Shop to assess, guide and address all their needs in AM.

3D INCUBATOR

The 3D Incubator is the first European high-tech incubator in 3D printing. Its objective is to promote the growth of initiatives related to additive manufacturing by creating a space for the incubation of start-ups, SMEs and micro companies that use this technology. The 3D Incubator has incubated more than 100 companies in five years and will help launch incubator initiatives run by businesses by providing general incubation services, 3D production technology services, business consulting, part testing and consultation services regarding marketing and internationalisation.

DFACTORY BARCELONA

DFactory was born to become a hub for the creation of an ecosystem to encourage the promotion and development of 4.0 industry. To achieve its objectives, DFactory Barcelona has laboratories managed by Leitat and equipped with the latest technology. Leitat improves the competitiveness of companies in the DFactory ecosystem by providing knowledge and technology for the transition to a digital and sustainable industry. Leitat operates under open innovation models as the technology manager of laboratories carrying out research and innovation projects. In so doing, it is guided by a vision of technology transfer and adoption by industry with the aim of producing a positive impact on society.

Healthcare Living Lab Catalonia

The Healthcare Living Lab Catalonia (HCLLC) is a Living Lab specialised in the health and social sector. It’s mission is to bring together health centres, technology centres and Living Labs from all over Catalonia connecting them with innovative people and entities. In so doing, it facilitates prototyping, testing and validation of solutions based on a proprietary methodology in a quick and efficient manner, maximising the results obtained. The HCLLC offers its services to methodologically advise and guide start-ups, SMEs and companies that aim to prototype, test and/or validate innovative solutions in real environments and with end users in the fields of medical devices, in vitro diagnostics and digital health.