Business innovation and design as a driving force for change, have been the two key principles which the Innovation and Design Awards 2019 have focused on. These awards given by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities every year, recognise the work of all those people and companies (institutions and organisations) that have focused their business strategy and model on innovation.

Out of the 79 applications submitted from some 46 companies and 33 professionals, only eight of them picked up an award. The businessman, Ignacio Sánchez Galán, was given the National Innovation Award in the category of Innovative Track Record. The jury highlighted his “leadership ability in the innovative transformation of companies from different technological sectors” and also valued “his ability to lead the energy transition in Spain, being a pioneer in the implementation of renewable energies”.

46 years of innovation

Because of its 46 years of experience and its innovative activity, the expert jury associated with the Ministry of Science decided to award Porcelanosa Grupo with the National Innovation Award in the category of Large Companies. The jury has especially appreciated its business model, which is strongly committed to innovation in technology, sustainability and the environment; as well as to the strong innovative growth of its own companies with the ability to create disruptive changes.

With 1.000 showrooms in some 150 countries, the Spanish multinational with its headquarters in Vila-real (Castellón) has become a world leader in both design and innovation. The research carried out by the company in recent years regarding sustainability and energy efficiency has enhanced its brand image, as well as the leading position in the national and international market. It is an honour to pick up this award, because it means our team’s worth is recognised, as well as the evolution and the importance that Porcelanosa Grupo has in Spain.

For us, innovating is a synonym of advancing, and of existing as well. This is the key principle that we have applied to each one of our eight companies, which have allowed us to make what seems impossible become possible”.

Among these advances, one can find green programmes such as EcoProject, which includes initiatives such as industrial water purification, energy saving lighting, geothermal energy and energy production which have their own cogeneration systems.

These measures also include the zero Industrial Discharge project, with which materials and waste from other manufacturing processes are reused. That is the methodology which Forest by Par-Ker^TM has followed, the ceramic parquet from Porcelanosa whose composition is made up of 95% recycled material.

Another of the eco-sustainable products is Krion^TM, the mineral compact which has two thirds of natural minerals and is 100% recyclable. Among its features, we have: its antibacterial character, its easy cleaning, its low maintenance, its zero porosity and its thermocurving ability; all of which really stand out.

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In this environmentally responsible design, there is also the WaterForest line. It brings all those bathroom collections together, created by Noken which save up to 89% of water.

National and international recognition

For finishing the innovation section, the Ministry of Science and Innovation gave an award to Inmunotek S.L in the Small and Medium-Sized Business category. The jury highlighted the economic commitment in R&D that this company has made, and furthermore, its rapid growth, “which has allowed its national and international competitiveness to be strengthened”.

In this section, a special mention was given in the Small and Medium-Sized Business category to the University School of Innovation and New Technologies (ESNE). “ESNE’s track record shows its commitment to training in innovation of new professional profiles with the capacity to adapt to the constant process of transformation of the Spanish productive fabric”, the jury said in a statement.

In terms of Design, Marisa Gallén Jaime (National Professional Design Award), POINT SL (National Design Business Award), Silvia Fernández Palomar (National Design Young Designers Award) and Fhecor Ingenieros Consultores S.A. (Special Mention in Design in Company mode).

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