Meet the partners – Tekniker: Engineering the Industrial Reality of CILANTRO

Turning laboratory chemistry into a functioning industrial process requires world-class engineering. As a premier Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) and a member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Tekniker brings the technical muscle needed to transition CILANTRO from a theoretical model to a high-precision mechanical prototype.

The Multidisciplinary Approach: From Lab to Prototype

Building the heart of the project—the triboreactor—requires a coordinated effort across four distinct engineering departments. This internal collaboration ensures that every mechanical, structural, and digital aspect of the reactor is optimized for the rigours of cement production.

• Tribology & Material Characterisation: With over 35 years of experience, this team manages the friction and wear within the reactor. They act as the vital link between our material scientists and the fabrication team, ensuring the mechanical environment facilitates the chemical reaction.

• Mechanical Engineering: Using advanced stress, modal, and contact mechanics analysis, these specialists design the reactor’s architecture to ensure structural durability and performance under industrial loads.

• Design & Fabrication of Machines: This department focuses on the physical creation of the hardware. They specialise in bespoke, custom-engineered equipment designed specifically for demanding industrial environments.

• Automation: To ensure the system is ready for the “smart factories” of the future, this team integrates AI, sensors, and digital technologies to automate the final prototype for maximum efficiency.

The Team Behind the Science

A project of this complexity is driven by a deep bench of specialists:

• Tribology: Francesco Pagano (Project Manager & Senior Researcher), Xanti Almandoz (Senior Researcher), and Juan Carlos Rodriguez (Specialised Technician).

• Mechanical Engineering: Aitor Fernandez (Head of Department) and Iñigo Muñoz (Researcher).

• Design & Fabrication: Jose Mari Seara (Head of Department) and Asier Arizaga (System Designer).

• Automation: Ismael Ruiz de Argandoña (Head of Department) and Kepa Garmendia (Automation Architect).

From Idea to Impact

Tekniker’s mission is to bridge the gap between an initial concept and a real-life, impacting solution. By providing the business fabric with cutting-edge facilities and specialised knowledge, they are ensuring that CILANTRO’s non-thermal route to cement production is grounded in mechanical reality.

“Our role is to bridge the gap between fundamental research and industrial application. By combining our expertise in tribology, mechanical design, and automation, we are building the physical foundation needed to validate this non-thermal route to sustainable cement.” — The Tekniker Team

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.