Global challenges require comprehensive solutions in which knowledge plays a strategic role. At Institut Català d’Investigació Química (ICIQ-CERCA), we contribute to the present with research-based solutions to guarantee a more sustainable, prosperous and inclusive future, aligned with European policies and industry priorities.

Our 250 researchers, distributed in 16 research groups, focus their studies on providing solutions to the major challenges such as climate change, environmental degradation and the energy crisis. Precisely, our research activity is organized, from a multidisciplinary approach, in two main lines around sustainability: renewable energies and catalysis.

In terms of sustainability, we direct our research towards the search for alternatives to fossil fuels with the aim of promoting energy efficiency, decarbonization and climate neutrality based on the use of hydrogen or artificial photosynthesis.

With regard to advanced catalysis, we promote solutions framed in circular ecosystems that allow us to move towards new energy sources with the aim of reducing environmental impact. We also develop and improve chemical processes to obtain molecules and materials that minimize waste generation and energy consumption.

ICIQ’s research combines different perspectives to tackle major challenges while making responsible use of available resources. Thus, our scientists work from both an experimental and a computational approach. The latter allowing us to minimise the number of experiments in the laboratories and, therefore, reduce the amount of waste generated.

At ICIQ we understand the future and chemistry as an inseparable binomial. That is why we encourage and promote holistic research that contributes to economic growth, social welfare and environmental protection, for a better, knowledge-based future.