Sogama and Cátedra Cogersa Highlight Circular Economy Innovations in Galicia and Asturias
Sogama wins a key circular economy award in Galicia while university projects in Asturias gain recognition for sustainable innovations.
- • Sogama received the Ardán Circular Company Award 2025 for its contributions to circular economy development in Galicia.
- • Sogama is developing Spain’s first public textile waste sorting facility, opening mid-2026, integrating AI and robotics.
- • Cátedra Cogersa awarded three sustainable projects focused on bioplastics, textile industry sustainability, and wastewater sludge management.
- • These recognitions underscore growing collaboration between public organizations and universities to advance circular economy initiatives in Spain.
Key details
Sogama has been honored with the Ardán Circular Company Award 2025 for its outstanding contributions to the circular economy in Galicia. This recognition is part of an annual evaluation by the Economic Studies area of the Vigo Free Zone Consortium, analyzing over 45,000 Galician companies in partnership with the University of Vigo's Ardán Chair. Notably, Sogama is advancing Spain's first public textile waste sorting plant, slated for a mid-2026 launch, and is embracing digital transformation by integrating robotics and artificial intelligence into its operations.\n\nConcurrently, the Cátedra Cogersa at the University of Oviedo in Asturias awarded three innovative projects during the IV Week of Circularity. These projects promote sustainable alternatives to plastics, assess sustainability in the fashion industry, and explore wastewater sludge management. Doctoral candidate Paula Rapado proposed a biorefinery utilizing forest biomass to produce bioplastics such as water bottles and shopping bags. Undergraduate Lucía Sancha Calvo developed a sustainability index ranking EU countries on textile industry environmental impacts, with Spain positioned mid-table. Master's student Lucía Abello Villanueva examined biochar production from wastewater sludge to treat contamination.\n\nThe awards emphasize regional efforts in Spain to drive circular economy initiatives through corporate innovation and academic research. Public officials and university leaders highlighted the importance of collaboration, citizen awareness, and commitment to sustainability in fostering these advancements.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.