Currently, the ICIQ is leading a key national project in the field of decarbonization, financed with ERDF and government funds, based on CO2 capture and recycling. This project cannot be achieved without public-private collaboration. Other stakeholders, such as Eurecat and the URV, are also collaborating. "Right now," notes Dr. Imma Escofet, the institute's manager, "we are leading the implementation of four mobile testing units, planned for 2026, which will allow CO2 capture through different technologies, some of them developed by the ICIQ." This, Escofet emphasizes, is "an opportunity for Catalonia to lead the green revolution, which cannot be achieved without chemistry." She concludes, "the transition begins in the laboratory, which is why chemistry is at the heart of the change."
Dra. Imma Escofet: We are committed to ensuring that everyone can unleash their full scientific potential.
Manager and administrative director of the Catalan Institute of Chemical Research (ICIQ)
Based in Tarragona and with 18 experimental and computational research groups, the Catalan Institute of Chemical Research (ICIQ) stands out for its highly internationalized environment. Forty-two percent of its research staff come from outside Spain, especially from Italy, France, and the United Kingdom.
What role does chemistry play in a time of climate emergency, transition, and revolution like the present?
— Chemistry helps us understand and transform the world, such as in the fight against the climate emergency. Capturing and reusing CO2 is one of our lines of work, it involves designing cleaner processes and reducing the environmental impact of the industry. Currently, CO2 It has a very high added value, and everyone tries to capture it and use it to produce new molecules or materials of interest, leaving aside petroleum derivatives. Recycling CO2 It implies a spectacular paradigm shift.
And what about the energy transition and health?
— Chemistry is essential for developing new materials, such as more efficient batteries, energy storage systems, or catalysts for generating green hydrogen. Furthermore, thanks to the research conducted at ICIQ in medicinal chemistry, new drugs, therapies, and faster diagnostic tools can be developed.
They emphasize that they not only offer cutting-edge research, but also an environment in which young talent can grow with scientific, personal, and international support.
— We are a center of excellence where young people don't just learn chemistry. Our production is that talent. We have a network. alumni spread throughout the world, which is an important added value. We have a seminar program sponsored by BASF, which brings together world-renowned scientists, and programs that support research staff during their stay, such as those funded by the Severo Ochoa accreditation or summer programs for undergraduate or master's students.
They place special emphasis on equal opportunities, as well as the visibility of female role models. Why such a clear emphasis?
— We are committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of gender, background, or personal situation, can unleash their full scientific potential. We have an equality plan, mentoring programs for young female researchers, and initiatives carried out within the framework of Women in Science Day. Knowledge transfer is important, but so is sharing our work with society and highlighting female scientific leaders. In this sense, the Marfil master's program stands out for attracting female talent from Latin America to pursue master's or doctoral degrees at the ICIQ.
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