The chemical and process industry in Asturias reaffirms its commitment to innovation, sustainability and collaboration
This year marks two decades since the creation of the Association of Chemical and Process Industries of Asturias (AIQPA), which represents a key sector in the regional economy and is a flagship for the promotion of Asturias as an industrial region.
The association and the IQPA Cluster have been sponsoring the collaboration between professionals from companies in the sector for twenty years with a technical approach and a commitment to innovation, sustainability and cooperation.
The IQPA Cluster is made up of Bayer Hispania, DuPont Asturias, Ence, ArcelorMittal, Fertiberia, Química del Nalón, Nippon Gases España, Eumédica Pharmaceuticals Industries, Asturquimia, Asturiana de Fertilizantes, Corteva and Saint-Gobain.
Research and development of new products
One of the objectives of the IQPA Cluster is to promote and develop research projects for the creation of new products, as well as the adaptation to new markets and consumer habits of the products already made by the sector.
They also promote collaboration projects between the members in different areas.
Forecasting the evolution of the sector to attract industrial alternatives, improving the competitiveness of existing processes, safety in the industry, waste reduction or talent training are some of the areas in which they have moved during these years.
Mario Díaz, coordinator/director of the IQPA Association and Cluster, stated in a recent article in La Nueva España that “the economic weight of these companies in Asturias is obviously important, but so is the industrial knowledge involved in them, the degree of connection with other sectors in the value chain and with the auxiliary sectors or the degree of internationalisation”.
A key sector for employment in Asturias
The chemical and process industries sector is key in Asturias, both for the employment it generates and for the high value added and international vision it brings.
The chemical plants in the region are distinguished by their high level of knowledge and excellence due to the demanding EU, national and regional regulations they have to comply with.
In addition, the companies in the cluster, many of them multinationals, have a marked traction effect, a great capacity to attract new projects.
They also stand out for their horizontal nature: the benefits generated by these companies in Asturias reach various sectors, as the high quality standards they demand from their local suppliers result in an improvement in regional competitiveness.
Geographical diversification is also important: the members of the IQPA Cluster are of German, American or Japanese capital, among others.
Asturias Cluster Network
The IQPA Cluster is part of the Asturias Cluster Network, which groups together the ten existing clusters in our region, five of which have been rated as excellent by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism.
The Network defines a cluster as “a sectorial grouping that within a specific geographical area creates a very strong interrelationship between companies, technology and research centres, training centres and public bodies in order to carry out joint projects of an innovative nature. The aim is for all its components to be strengthened through cooperation between the various members of the cluster”.
