TECNALIA is the largest centre of applied research and technological development in Spain, a benchmark in Europe and a member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance. We collaborate with companies and institutions to improve their competitiveness, people’s quality of life and achieve sustainable growth. We do it thanks to a team of more than 1,512 people (43% women – 57% men) who are passionate about technology, who anticipate and are committed to building a better society.
Our main scopes of action are: smart manufacturing, digital transformation, energy transition, sustainable mobility, health and food, urban ecosystem and circular economy. Our mission is to transform technological research into prosperity, and our vision is to anticipate the future as the leading agent of transformation in companies and society, adapting them to the challenges of an ever faster evolving world. TECNALIA’s research has a real impact on society and provides specific solutions to the major
global challenges.
Its revenue in 2025 amounted to 156 million euros, 54% in revenue from activity with companies. In terms of impact, for every Euro invested by a company in R&D with TECNALIA, an average turnover increase of €17.08 is obtained. In 2025, the Sale of Industrial Property Rights section recorded 6.1 million euros in income, with a portfolio of 645 patents. It took part in 21 start-up deeptech with a capital attracted of 20.5 million euros. They generated a total of 149 jobs and a turnover of 8.75 million euros. TECNALIA is the fifth private Spanish organisation in European patent applications.
In Europe, TECNALIA has consolidated its position as the first private organisation in Spain in project contracting, participation and leadership under the European Commission’s HORIZON EUROPE programme,in partnership with over 100 Spanish companies.
Companies need multi-sector and multi-technology responses that are impossible to satisfy without the hybridization of technologies. TECNALIA has a multidisciplinary team and a network of strategic alliances at an international level to anticipate current and future needs.
From TECNALIA, the Membrane Technology and Process Intensification department will be involved in ELEKTRA. The team develops advanced membranes, membrane reactors and electrified reactors for Industrial Gas and liquid Separation demands. Aiming at increasing the efficiency, reducing the operating and capital costs as well as physical and environmental footprint in different applications. Some examples, H2 purification and production, CO2 Capture and conversion, natural gas processing, biogas upgrading and olefin/paraffin separation among others. We have extensive testing and membrane manufacturing capabilities, and we have experience on working from proof-of-concept to relevant industrial scale.
- Role in ELEKTRA project
TECNALIA will act as a key technology development partner in the ELEKTRA project, contributing advanced expertise in process intensification, electrified reactors and membrane-based separation technologies. TECNALIA will play a central role in the development of Prototype 2 (ammonia cracking), focusing on the selection, design, engineering and testing of an induction-heated electrified reactor at laboratory scale. Activities will include reactor design, electromagnetic and thermal management, materials integration, and operational strategy definition to enable efficient, flexible and industrially relevant electrification of the targeted process.
In addition, TEC will lead the development and scale-up of oxygen-selective (O₂) membranes for Prototype 3 (CO2 to CO conversion), addressing membrane material selection, fabrication and upscaling. These membranes will be designed to operate under demanding process conditions and to enable process intensification, improved energy efficiency and reduced environmental footprint.
TEC will carry out experimental validation at laboratory scale, leveraging its in-house membrane manufacturing and testing facilities. Furthermore, TEC will support process integration, performance assessment and scalability analysis, contributing to the advancement of both prototypes towards higher TRLs and ensuring their robustness and industrial applicability.