Visit to the tanners' treatment plant and presentation of the new pilot plant for regenerating water

Within the framework of Science Week, organised by the Catalan Foundation for Research and Innovation (FCRI) and the Generalitat de Catalunya, a great many science dissemination activities have been organised across our territory. Open days, virtual activities, exhibitions, science workshops… a wide scientific offering in different formats available to everyone.

Science Week is aimed at all audiences and its fundamental objectives are to bring science and technology closer to the public and to encourage scientific vocations among young people. The common thread of this year's edition is innovation and local knowledge as a driver of growth, showcasing the assets in innovation and science that exist throughout the country.

To mark the 27th Science Week, the Igualada Leather Museum, Igualadina de Depuració i Recuperació SL and Leather Cluster Barcelona organised a free guided visit to the tanners' water treatment plant.

The treatment plant of Igualadina de Depuració i Recuperació S.L. (IDR) is one of the leading plants in Europe for the treatment of industrial wastewater, and every day it treats the water generated in the leather transformation process by the 28 tanning companies in Igualada that are members of Leather Cluster Barcelona, together with part of the urban water and water from other industries. IDR also contributes knowledge on good water management and water saving to the whole cluster.

The tanners' treatment plant, as well as being an exemplary instance of competitive cooperation and of the advantage of belonging to a cluster, is a pioneer in the integration of shared value: a business project that has a positive impact on society and promotes a balance between business competitiveness and social and environmental awareness, helping to build a fairer, greener and more equitable economy.

Within the horizon of Zero Waste in the tanning industry, and in a context in which the growing problem of water supply in Catalonia is a serious concern, the Igualada tanners' treatment plant is working on the introduction of a Water Regeneration Station (ERA). During the guided visit it was possible to explain how the pilot plant works to regenerate and reuse the treated water, thereby also contributing, among other things, to chapter 6 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which concerns Clean Water and Sanitation.

Leather Cluster Barcelona is an environment of competitive cooperation for promoting cross-cutting, transformative strategic projects with the aim of driving forward the ecosystem of the Catalan leather sector. The cluster is an accredited entity within the Catalonia Clusters programme and has the support of Acció.