With over 99% of companies in the sector being SMEs, many face challenges in keeping up with technological advancements and integrating sustainability practices. CorkBridge seeks to bridge this gap by facilitating access to specialized knowledge and cooperation opportunities.
José Coelho, Director-General of CTCOR, explains that the project was born from the need to "actively promote the meeting between scientific and technological knowledge and the current and future needs of companies in the cork sector." The focus is on knowledge transfer and the economic valorization of research and development (R&D) results.
The work is structured around three fundamental pillars for business competitiveness: digitalization and Industry 4.0, sustainability with a focus on ESG (environmental, social, and governance) principles, and the circular economy. These areas are crucial for responding to the challenges of dynamic and innovative markets.
To this end, CorkBridge implements various initiatives, including capacity-building, demonstration, and experience-sharing actions. The objective is to enhance the human capital skills of SMEs, enabling them to identify and adopt suitable technological solutions.
The project plan also includes the development of pilot projects and circular business models, the sharing of best practices, and the creation of a digital platform for accessing resources and case studies. Collaboration between companies and scientific and technological entities is seen as essential for applying knowledge to the sector's specific needs.
The support from COMPETE2030 is considered fundamental for the execution of the various initiatives, allowing CTCOR to intervene in the sector's modernization and the economic valorization of R&D results.
