Yecla hosts a European workshop on Industrial Symbiosis led by CETEM

Last week, the Murcia Region Furniture and Wood Technology Centre (CETEM) hosted an international exchange workshop that brought together European partners, local institutions and external stakeholders to advance collaboration in the fields of Industrial Symbiosis and the Circular Economy. The event was held on 30 September and 1 October at CETEM’s facilities in Yecla, combining face-to-face sessions with online participation.

By organising this international workshop, CETEM has reinforced its position as a key European player in innovation and sustainability. The event not only connected local and international agents, but also placed Yecla at the centre of discussions on the future of the Circular Economy and Industrial Symbiosis in Europe.
The workshop was part of the European INSET project and marked a decisive moment in its development.

The meeting had two main objectives. Firstly, to finalise the results of Work Package 3, which focused on developing and validating the training resources integrated into the INSET tools. This tool is designed to reinforce knowledge and practice in Industrial Symbiosis through practical resources aimed at companies, policy makers and innovation agents. Secondly, to launch Work Package 4, focused on the creation of the Online Observatory of Industrial Symbiosis. This new platform will act as a European reference point for mapping, categorising and sharing good practices, tools, regulatory frameworks and opportunities related to Industrial Symbiosis.

During the two days, partners from different regions and sectors presented results, exchanged methodologies and prepared the next steps for the design and validation of the Observatory. One of the highlights of the programme was the stakeholder workshop, in which the AMUEBLA cluster and the University of Valencia participated, invited to share their perspectives. Their contributions will help to ensure that the project’s resources are relevant, practical and aligned with real needs at both local and European level.

In addition to the technical sessions, the agenda included a visit to CETEM’s facilities, offering participants the opportunity to see first-hand the centre’s innovative projects in the furniture and wood industries. Time was also set aside for working sessions on communication, dissemination and planning of the project’s upcoming activities.

With this meeting, CETEM and the city of Yecla consolidate their role as leaders in promoting sustainable innovation, contributing decisively to the transition towards a more collaborative, efficient and competitive circular economy in Europe.