The mission offered a close look at one of Germany’s most innovative industrial and technological ecosystems and expanded the network of international contacts.

Leather Cluster Barcelona recently took part in an international Study Trip to Augsburg, promoted by the Catalonia Clusters programme of ACCIÓ, with the aim of strengthening learning, collaboration and internationalisation within the European cluster ecosystem.

This mission allowed the participating clusters to gain first-hand insight into one of Germany’s most dynamic industrial and technological environments, especially in areas such as innovation, industrial digitalisation, artificial intelligence applied to production and the connection between companies, startups, research centres and institutions.

During the stay, the delegation visited leading Bavarian venues such as the Augsburg Innovation Park, a hub focused on industrial and technological innovation; the AI Production Network Augsburg, centred on applying artificial intelligence to advanced production; XITASO, a company specialising in software and industrial digitalisation; and the Digitales Zentrum Schwaben, which supports the development of digital startups and knowledge transfer to the business fabric.

The Study Trip was also an opportunity to share experiences with other Catalan and European clusters, expand the network of international contacts and identify new collaboration opportunities in projects linked to innovation, competitiveness and the transformation of industry.

As part of the mission, ACCIÓ supported the organisation of strategic contact agendas and provided assistance at meetings, visits and professional activities, facilitating connections with potential collaborators and institutions of interest.

Participation in this action is part of Leather Cluster Barcelona’s internationalisation and cooperation strategy, and strengthens the exchange of knowledge with other innovative European ecosystems. For some time now, the cluster has been working to establish synergies with business organisations, institutions, knowledge centres and international associations, with the aim of bringing new trends, methodologies and opportunities to the leather sector in areas such as innovation, sustainability, digitalisation, the circular economy and industrial transformation.

With the support of ACCIÓ and the Catalonia Clusters programme, this experience has helped strengthen the cluster’s international projection and generate new learnings that can add value to the Catalan leather sector and its entire business ecosystem.

ACCIÓ, through its network of 40 Foreign Offices present in more than 100 markets, continues to drive the competitiveness and international projection of Catalan clusters through personalised services, international connection actions and support in identifying strategic collaborators.

Leather Cluster Barcelona is a competitive cooperation environment that promotes cross-cutting, transformative strategic projects aimed at driving the ecosystem of the Catalan leather sector within the framework of Shared Value policies. The cluster is an accredited entity within the Catalonia Clusters programme and is supported by Acció.