BETA Technological Center. University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia
The Technology Center for Biodiversity, Ecology, Environmental technology and Food Management (BETA) at the University of Vic – Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC) aims to improve competitiveness and technological development in companies through R&D projects at local, state or European level, based on the transfer of innovative and competitive technology with environmental sustainable criteria.
BETA Technological Center is part of TECNIO, a network for the promotion of differential technology, business innovation and excellence in Catalonia and for the identification of technology centers, university groups and experts in research and technology transfer.
BETA is organized in four strategic areas:
- Technology and Environment Management: Developing sustainable and efficient technologies for treatment, management and valorisation of wastes (solid, liquid and gaseous emissions) from farming and industrial activities. Environmental and economic impact studies and Life Cycle Analysis
- Aquatic and Land Ecology: Studying different areas of biodiversity and ecology (flora, fauna, both aquatic and terrestrial) to understand species and habitats. Developing techniques, tools, statistics and protocols to assess ecological status and generate the necessary information to take the appropriate decisions in environmental management.
- Food industry and technology: Designing and improving food processing and quality management systems in the food hygiene and safety area. Evaluating physicochemical and sensory properties of food, developing techniques and protocols and identifying contaminating waste (heavy metals, pesticides, antibiotics).
- Renewable energies: Energy production from biomass through biochemical and thermochemical conversion techniques. Application of advanced biological processes for energy production from organic waste.
Applied research and development
Our team has a deep expertise in the preparation and execution of competitive R&D projects, having experience in European calls: FP7, LIFE, Interreg, H2020, Marie Curie, etc., and national calls from the Catalan and Spanish governments (ACCIÓ, DARP, DIBA, MINECO, etc.).
We have participated in both, collaborative and individual research projects, having a wide contact network of public bodies, companies and research centers that allow us to create potentially competitive project consortiums. Also involved in R&D projects with public-private national and international funding.
Technology transfer and innovation
- Innovation and Technology Transfer in the industrial sector to reduce operating costs and environmental impacts, and improve business competitiveness and sustainability.
- Development of new products and services providing solutions to the industrial technological needs and future market requirements.
- Scale-up processes from the lab-scale to first industrial application.
- Evaluation of the environmental and economic impacts of the productive processes and optimization of industrial processes based on sustainable criteria.
- Assessment in company internationalization by participating in international R&D projects and in International Business Networks.
Development cooperation
- Development of waste and wastewater management plans.
- Assessment on new waste and wastewater policies and legislation.
- Technical support and training activities.