Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different resultsAlbert Einstein (1879–1955). German physicist

01/02

The Instituto de Tecnología Cerámica (ITC) is a concerted

mixed Institute, established by agreement between the Ceramic

Industry Research Association (AICE) and Universitat Jaume I

of Castellón, which originated in response to the needs of com-

panies from the Spanish ceramic cluster. In the course of over

40 years, ITC has articulated a successful university–business

cooperation system that has contributed significantly to the de-

velopment of the Spanish ceramic tile manufacturing industry.

Behind each achievementthere’s another challengeMother Teresa of Calcutta (1910–1997). Nun, missionary and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

Mission //

ITC’s mission is to provide solid support for Spanish ceramic

companies in the defence and enhancement of their strategic

positioning in the current global context, principally through in-

novation-enabling research and development actions, but also

through whatever activities may serve to foster the competitive-

ness and growth of the sector, always based on sustainability

criteria and commitment to the well-being of society.

Vision //

ITC’s vision is focused on spearheading technology innovation

and design processes in the Spanish ceramic sector, anticipa-

ting market and consumer needs regarding the uses and appli-

cations of ceramic materials, through professionalised mana-

gement of a qualified human team committed to excellence in

the sector.

Grounded in the competence achieved through its long research

activity, ITC is able today to extend its scope of action to other

types of processes and materials. To be noted is the work done

in the field of energy efficiency and the minimisation of the en-

vironmental impact of industrial activity, as well as in surface

functionalisation and the development of new technical and

aesthetic product qualities related to the habitat hyper-sector

and to other industries, such as high-tech tools, advanced ce-

ramics, automotive, and petrochemical sectors.

03/04

The person that doubts and fails to investigate becomes not just unhappy, but also unjust Blaise Pascal (1623–1662). French mathematician, physicist, philosopher and theologian

05/06

Research lines //

In its daily work with business, ITC has made innovation the

principal driver of corporate development and growth. ITC’s

ongoing knowledge updating, continuous training for the busi-

ness community, increasing development of R&D&I activities,

facilities and scientific instruments enable ITC successfully to

address the problems that companies face, collaborating clo-

sely with them in generating new technologies that enhance

industrial competitiveness and help maintain industrial leader-

ship on a worldwide level.

• Raw materials and products

• Tribology

• Slip testing

• New coatings and surface treatments

• Advanced ceramics

• Environmental technologies

• Construction systems and energy-efficient architecture

• Energy saving and energy efficiency

• Nanotechnology

• Smart production

• Simulation of processes and materials

• Design

• Market

A person’s greatest good is an inquiring mindParaphrasing Isaac Asimov (1920–1992). Bielorussian writer and scientist

07/08

• Raw materials and products

• Study and solution of defects

• Ceramic design

• Ceramics applications in architecture

• R&D and control laboratories

• Optimisation of production processes

• Environmental Management

• Innovation management

• Energy saving and energy efficiency

• Occupational safety and health

• Minimisation of costs

• Financing through subsidies

• Consulting in strategy and marketing

• Increased added value and product differentiation

• Image and communication audits

• Diagnostics and product range audits

• Market orientation

• European Reach Directive

Technology, Design, and Market Consulting //

ITC offers companies solutions for improving the development

of different lines of products, from the study of the product

range, based on market needs, to the optimisation of each ma-

nufacturing stage and product technical and aesthetic qualities.

The above is performed without losing sight of the minimisation

of energy consumption and environmental impact, in addition to

advising on subsequent commercial exploitation.

Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of an intelligent effort John Ruskin (1819–1900). British writer, art critic and sociologist

09/10

• Chemical and mineralogical characterisation

X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction, ICP, UV-Vis

spectrophotometer, infrared spectrophotometer, ion chro-

matograph, AAS, C, N, S, and H analysers, etc.

• Physico-structural characterisation

Hot stage microscopes, dilatometers, profilometers,

hardness tester, tribometer, nanotest apparatus, etc.

• Characterisation of compositions and process behaviour

Plasticimeter, pyroplastic deformation tests, quenching,

electric fritting furnace, fleximeter, extruder, 10x10cm

press, etc.

• Finished product characterisation

Loading trials, slip, impact, wear, surface and deep

abrasion resistance, bending strength, etc.

• Semi-industrial scale tests: pilot plant

Roller kiln, glazing line, spray dryer, etc.

• Specialised instrumental techniques

Optical microscopy, XPS, SEM.

Advanced Technology Services //

ITC places at the disposal of companies a broad technological

infrastructure, backed up by technical competence and endor-

sed by a large number of outside accreditations, as well as by

qualified staff and top-level instruments, assuring absolutely

reliable results in raw materials and end-product characteri-

sation, and in the determination of their behaviour during the

production process.

Fortune favours the prepared mindLouis Pasteur (1822–1895). French chemist

11/12

Training

• Courses for companies

• Courses for working or unemployed professionals

• Symposia, seminars, and workshops

Documentation and Information service

• Management of scientific publications: articles, patents,

and books

• Technical, legislative, commercial documentation/ infor-

mation, etc

• Virtual technical library (VTL)

Dissemination of knowledge //

ITC has the capacity to transfer the knowledge acquired, gene-

rated through ongoing training of ITC’s qualified human team,

who are continually updating their knowledge by performing di-

fferent studies and R&D&I actions, in addition to participating in

numerous scientific and technological forums worldwide, and in

different international platforms and consortia. This knowledge,

together with that acquired or assimilated from other produc-

tion sectors, serves to generate innovation, which is trans-

mitted to companies in order to maintain or enhance their

competitiveness.

My interest is in the future, because I am going to spend the rest of my life there Charles F. Kettering (1876–1958). American engineer and inventor of the electric starter

13/14

Technology transfer

• Technical assistance in preparing proposals

• Monitoring and management of projects in the

demonstration phase

• Collaboration in partner searches in cooperative research

projects.

• Identification of transferable results

• Facilitating contact between the technology offer and demand

Competitive intelligence systems

• Habitat Trends Observatory

• Market Observatory

• Technology Observatory

• Environment and Energy Observatory

Knowledge valorisation //

ITC seeks to intensify its collaboration with companies in de-

fining future industrial scenarios. For this purpose, ITC has

created and is developing and implementing competitive intelli-

gence systems that allow new avenues of progress and innova-

tion to be determined, in addition to providing access to certain

types of privileged or highly relevant information that assists

strategic and operating decision-making in the different areas of

a company.

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962). Writer, diplomat, human rights activist and feminist. American First Lady

15/16

ITC is firmly committed to Corporate Social Responsibility

through the design and implementation of a series of socio-

economic and sustainability actions, internally and in relation

to external stakeholders.

In the field of sustainability, ITC has for years integrated, in its strate-

gy and management, protection and respect for the environment.

To be noted in the social context are the efforts made to har-

monise the working and family life of all ITC personnel, the

measures adopted to integrate handicapped groups, as well

as the BONUS Campaign, through which ITC devotes 0.7%

of the annual working hours of its personnel (more than 1600

hours/year) to voluntary actions. These actions focus on disse-

minating knowledge in the social environment about the cera-

mic sector and the sector’s impact on the growth and social,

economic, and cultural development of the region.

Corporate Social Responsibility //

The future is not a gift:it is an achievementRobert Kennedy (1925–1968). Politician and human rights defender

17/18

Finished Product Laboratory

Accreditation no. 2/LE004 for the performance of tests on Ceramic tiles (22/12/88). Renewed accreditation scope including the performance of tests on Ceramic Materials of Fired Clay used in construction and floor slip tests laid down in the Spanish Technical Building Code and the German standard (DIN 51130, ramp method).Accreditation no. 2/LE197 for the performance of tests on Ceramic Sanitary Appliances (03/02/95). Renewed accreditation scope including the new standards on ceramic sanitary appliances and tests on bathtubs.

Environmental Unit

Accreditation no. 2/LE565 for the performance of Air Emission Tests through fixed emission sources (15/03/96). Renewed accreditation scope including the determination of particle, total fluorine and fluorine particle, chlorine and sulphur emissions.

Chemical Analysis Laboratory

Accreditation no. 2/LE004 for the performance of Tests on Lead and Cadmium Release in ceramic tiles and ceramic, glass, and glass-ceramic containers.

CE Mark //

Notified organisation according to Official Provision DO-11, deriving from Directive 89/106/CEE for the performance of the required tests on Ceramic Tiles.

AENOR Certification //

Of the Technology Watch System according to standard UNE 166006:2006EX.

Certification pending of the Management Systems on Quality (UNE-EN ISO 9001:2008), Environment (UNE-EN ISO 14001:2004), Occupational Safety and Health (OHSAS 18001:2007), and R&D&I (UNE 166002:2006).

Participation in European Networks //

KMM VIN (European Virtual Institute on knowledge-based multifunctional materials AISBSL)RENAC (Network for the application of nanotechnologies in materials and products for construction and the habitat)ENIWEP (European network for industrial wear prevention)Eliare-sudoe: Territorial Cooperation Programme of the South-western European Space for the support of regional development with financing by the European Regional Development Fund, ERDF.

ENAC accreditations //

19/20

• Reference partner in national and international technology

networks and platforms.

• Over 9 million euros in technical and scientific equipment for

conducting R&D.

• 8,000 m2 surface area devoted to research and design, spread

over two headquarters.

• 357 associate companies.

• More than 8 million euros in volume of activity in 150 R&D&I

and Technology Consulting projects.

• Delivery of 23 training courses attended by more than 300

students in 826 hours of training.

• Dissemination of research results through 26 technical and

scientific articles published in leading international

scientific journals.

• Participation at 29 major, national and international, science

and technology conferences and forums.

• Participation of the ITC multidisciplinary team of professionals

in more than 200 training events.

• Performance of 24,235 Analyses and Tests, out of the more

than 475 different types offered by ITC.

• A staff made up of 151 professionals, of whom 20% teach in

the Chemical Engineering Degree course at Universidad

Jaume I of Castellón.

Indicators 2009 //

01 Environmental Technologies02 Occupational Safety and Health03 Tribology04 New Coatings and Surface Treatments05 Advanced Ceramics06 Construction Systems and Energy-efficient Architecture07 Process Simulation and Materials08 Design09 Energy Saving and Energy Efficiency 10 Nanotechnology 11 Smart Manufacturing

01 02 03

07 08 09

04 05 06

10 11

Catalogue indexResearch lines

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