FAGOR Ederlan and the AZTERLAN Metallurgy Research Centre have formalized a new Strategic Collaboration Framework Agreement aimed at consolidating and expanding the scientific and technological relationship that both organizations have continuously developed in recent years in key areas for the automotive and advanced mobility industries.
The agreement establishes a stable framework for cooperation focused on the joint development of research, technological development, and applied innovation activities in iron and aluminium casting processes, industrial sustainability, process digitalization, and intelligent manufacturing technologies.
The collaboration includes both collaborative R&D&I projects and initiatives under technological contracting and subcontracting schemes, as well as strategic actions linked to regional, national, and European funding programs. Within this framework, projects may include industrial research, experimental development, technology watch activities, knowledge generation, and the promotion of new scientific and technological initiatives. The agreement also incorporates strategic alignment mechanisms between both organizations, fostering joint planning of scientific and technological capabilities and the coordinated identification of new innovation opportunities.
The priority areas defined include the development of new advanced and optimized materials, metallurgical quality control, advanced simulation and optimization of casting processes, the application of artificial intelligence and digital twins, the industrialization of complex components, as well as initiatives related to emission and energy consumption reduction, circular economy, and industrial decarbonization.
The agreement also strengthens cooperation in knowledge transfer and the development of specialized talent through joint advanced training programs, industrial PhDs, master’s degree final projects, and activities aimed at bringing scientific knowledge closer to industrial reality.
Another key pillar of the agreement will be the coordination of initiatives to attract competitive funding and collaboration in European R&D&I programs, especially those related to advanced manufacturing technologies, sustainability, and industrial transformation.
With an initial duration of four years and a long-term continuity perspective, the agreement will also enable the structuring of an annual portfolio of projects and activities, strengthening the strategic relationship between both entities and fostering collaboration more closely aligned with the technological and industrial challenges of the sector.
The signing of this agreement reflects the shared commitment of Fagor Ederlan and AZTERLAN to advancing toward a more competitive, sustainable, and technologically advanced industry, reinforcing the industrial and scientific positioning of the Basque Country in the field of metal-mechanical transformation.
Judith Muruamendiaraz, Technology and Innovation Director at Fagor Ederlan
“For Fagor Ederlan, it is strategic to have a leading scientific and technological partner such as AZTERLAN, capable of supporting us in the development of innovative solutions aligned with our industrial and technological challenges.”
“This collaboration framework will allow us to guide and accelerate our vision in initiatives related to sustainability, digitalization, new materials, and process efficiency, in priority areas for our industrial activity and for the evolution of the automotive and mobility sector.”
“The stability and long-term vision provided by this agreement will facilitate better technological planning and a greater capacity to promote flagship projects with real industrial impact.”
Garikoitz Artola, Managing Director of AZTERLAN BRTA
“This agreement represents a natural evolution of the collaboration that Fagor Ederlan and AZTERLAN have developed over recent years and allows us to build a more strategic and long-term relationship, aligning scientific and technological capabilities with real industrial needs to address challenges linked to new mobility, sustainability, and European industrial transformation.”
“At AZTERLAN, we have been promoting strategic agreements with leading companies from different industrial sectors that are key to the Basque Country, because we understand that strengthening collaboration with flagship companies is essential to reinforce the competitiveness and technological positioning of our industrial ecosystem.”
“The agreement with Fagor Ederlan also reinforces our vision of effective knowledge transfer to industry, fostering the generation of tangible impact, the training of specialized talent, and the development of new technological capabilities in the Basque Country.”
Judith Muruamendiaraz, Director of Technology and Innovation at Fagor Ederlan, and Garikoitz Artola, Managing Director at AZTERLAN BRTA, subscribed the strategic alliance between both organization.
