The Canary Islands Institute of Technology (ITC) is a Public Business Entity created by the Government of the Canary Islands and attached to the Ministry of Universities, Knowledge and Culture. Its activity is framed within the field of Research, Development and Innovation (R&D&I), mainly carried out in the Canary Islands Archipelago. Among its main objectives are driving technological progress to improve living conditions and quality of life, and supporting the integral development of the Canary Islands through the implementation of high-TRL (Technology Readiness Level 4–7) R&D&I practices and projects. The ITC has a staff of over 250 professionals and 9 departments operating in the following technological areas: renewable energy, water technologies, marine biotechnology, biomedical engineering, environmental analysis, and ICT/Computing. The Biotechnology Department has 30 years of experience in research and development in the field of marine plant aquaculture, supporting technology transfer to companies and their incubation in the Canary Islands. The department is a recognized center of excellence in various areas related to microalgae production, specifically the improvement of cultivation systems and technologies, biomass processing, and the extraction of valuable compounds for application in aquaculture, agriculture, medicine, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and other sectors.
ITC in NATUR-EXT: Within the Experimental Area for Blue Biotechnology and Aquaculture in Pozo Izquierdo, the ITC has several experimental plants and a fully equipped industrial facility for microalgae cultivation, processing, and post-processing at a pilot-to-semi-industrial scale in a relevant operational environment. The infrastructure and technological equipment, recently acquired and/or renovated, are state-of-the-art in this sector and enable testing, development, and optimization of new microalgae processes and technologies. These facilities and machines cover all stages of the value chain, from cultivation optimization to the formulation of final products, and are also available for shared use with companies. This platform will provide NATUR-EXT with a variety of equipment, characterized by duplicate systems ranging from laboratory to industrial scale. This will enable the processing of all types of biomass and the extraction of high-value compounds aimed at valorizing natural resources. ITC is committed to the development of sustainable processes, the valorization of water and energy resources, the implementation of circular economy practices, and the fight against climate change; offering not only equipment and processes, but also renewable energy sources, environmentally friendly methodologies, and traceability studies for the protection of local resources.
Go to the website of the Canary Islands Institute of Technology