In a decisive step toward strengthening advanced research in the field of metallic materials and components for the aeronautical sector, AZTERLAN Metallurgy Research Centre and Eibar Precision Casting Group (EIPC) have signed a Collaboration Agreement that will enable the coordination of efforts in research, development, and technological innovation (R&D&I) activities.
The agreement is intended to establish natural synergies that generate added value for both organizations, fostering technological exchange, the development of new knowledge, the joint development of capabilities, and strategic coordination, covering both incremental innovation and disruptive diversification. This collaborative framework will make it possible to maximize the technical capacities of both entities and align strategic objectives that enhance competitiveness and technological positioning in both industrial and scientific domains.
EIPC, an industrial group specializing in the manufacture of aluminum, steel, and superalloy components mainly through investment casting for the aeronautical sector, and AZTERLAN, a leading research center in metallurgy and material transformation technologies, will jointly carry out activities including the alignment of strategic specialization lines, resource coordination, and the technical training of their teams.
Likewise, the parties have agreed to cooperate in the allocation and attraction of resources within regional, national, and European R&D support programs, with the aim of strengthening the execution of joint projects and fostering investment efficiency between own funds and external support. The agreement also promotes cross-training of personnel, temporary exchanges of research and technical staff, and the joint development of training programs, facilitating the consolidation of specialized talent and the transfer of best practices between industry and the technology center.
Another relevant aspect will be the promotion of specialized certified testing services, aimed at developing unique capabilities that reinforce technological positioning, especially in the field of NADCAP certification, where EIPC is expected to act as an industrial prescriber.
Finally, EIPC and AZTERLAN commit to working together to strengthen their presence in indexed publications, international conferences, and trade fairs, as well as to coordinate their presence on different platforms in order to consolidate their position as technological references in the metallurgical field, while contributing to the projection of the Basque Country’s image as a European benchmark hub for high-level metallurgy and advanced manufacturing.
Through this agreement, both organizations reinforce their commitment to innovation and to improving the competitiveness of the metal industry and the industrial fabric of Euskadi, consolidating a public–private collaboration framework aligned with the objectives of the Basque industrial ecosystem and aimed at generating sustainable growth and technological leadership in the coming years.
Garikoitz Artola, General Director of AZTERLAN BRTA:
“The philosophy of this agreement is fully aligned with the new industrial strategy of the Basque Government, based on promoting the Hazi sectors (emerging sectors with growth potential) and the Irabazi sectors (leading and consolidated sectors of the productive fabric). The aeronautical sector, which is a reference sector for EIPC, clearly has great growth potential and strong traction for the Basque metal-mechanical industry.”
“This collaboration will allow us to contribute to hte technological positioning of the Basque Country and to the strengthening the leadershipe of our industry. Among other key aspects, as part of the agreement we envisage maximizing the utilization of the high-capacity technological infrastructures of our organizations. We seek to optimize the use of our assets while avoiding duplication.”
“The consolidation of specialized talent and the transfer of best practices between industry and the technology center are also aligned with the human value-added strategy within the Hazi sectors.”
Gonzalo Orbea, General Director and President of EIPC:
“Collaboration in the development of capabilities linked to sectoral accreditations, such as NADCAP, will allow us not only to advance our own value proposition, but also to generate a competitive technological fabric and expand the presence of Basque companies and products in global industrial niches.”
“We believe that the complementarity between both organizations follows the principles promoted by Basque industrial policy aimed at a more competitive, resilient, and technologically advanced economy. These are key aspects if we want to move toward a leadership position in our respective reference sectors.”
Garikoitz Artola (AZTERLAN) & Gonzalo Orbea (Eibar Precision Casting) sign the agreement.
