ITENE

What ITENE does

ITENE (Instituto Tecnológico del Embalaje, Transporte y Logística) is a Spanish non-profit technology center founded on May 30, 1994, and headquartered in the Parque Tecnológico de Paterna, Valencia. The organization is constituted as a private association declared of Public Utility (BOE 2004), registered as Innovation and Technology Center No. 63, and recognized as an Associated Unit of CSIC (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Spain's largest public research institution. ITENE delivers applied R&D, accredited laboratory testing, technological consulting, pilot scale-up, and specialized training to industrial clients across the packaging, transport, logistics, and environmental monitoring value chains, with more than 81% of activity devoted to R&D. Its 215+ professionals (including ~120 researchers and R&D technicians) operate across approximately 16,342 m² of owned facilities — the original 12,000 m² headquarters, the 3,210 m² ITENE ScaleUp building (2023) dedicated to industrial pre-scaling, and the 2025 main-building expansion plus ITENE Innolab collaborative space.

ITENE's proprietary technology stack spans materials science, biotechnology, digitalization, and environmental assessment, with notable capabilities including enzymatic depolymerization for non-recyclable plastics, reactive extrusion technology for compostable and recycled polymers, colorimetric smart freshness labels, non-thermal food preservation methods, microalgae-based biofuel processes, and soil/plant microbiome bioaugmentation. The organization holds ENAC accreditation (No. 316/LE678 under ISO 17025), ISO 27001, ISO 14001, and UNE 19601 certifications, and runs more than 500 types of tests across 3,000+ m² of laboratories. Through its PACKA accelerator (launched 2015) ITENE has spun out five ventures including SAFE LOAD Testing Technologies and ADBioplastics, the latter holding an exclusive worldwide license to ITENE's patented PLA-Premium biodegradable plastics technology.

The business model is a multi-stream professional services engine: contracted R&D projects funded by European (Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, BBI-JU, PRIMA), national, and regional (IVACE) programs; ENAC-accredited testing and laboratory services; project-based technological consulting; pilot scale-up services via the ScaleUp facility; and specialized training including a master's program with IATA-CSIC. Customer base exceeds 1,000 companies across at least nine verticals (packaging, food and beverage, transport/logistics, agriculture, chemical, waste management, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, e-commerce). Distribution is sales-led and direct, supplemented by participation in European R&D consortia (over 600 EU project partnerships) where ITENE acts as coordinator or partner, and by its PACKA startup channel. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed, and pricing is quote-based and project-specific rather than standardized.

Name

ITENE

Legal name

ITENE - Instituto Tecnológico del Embalaje, Transporte y Logística

Website

https://itene.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ITENE is a Spanish non-profit technology center founded in 1994, providing applied R&D, ENAC-accredited laboratory testing, consulting, pilot scale-up, and training to 1,000+ industrial clients across packaging, transport, logistics, food, agriculture, chemical, pharma, cosmetics, and e-commerce value chains.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Packaging Research and Testing Services

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Third-Party Certification, Code Compliance & Regulatory Inspection (ASME/API/ISO) (EUAEAHAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Certified Compliance & Reporting Services (R2/e-Stewards, Audit, ESG) (BPALAIAL)

Keywords

• Packaging research services
• Sustainable materials testing
• Circular economy consulting
• Transport simulation testing
• Laboratory testing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Valencia

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. R&D and Innovation Projects: European, national, and regional R&D project funding and contracted research services for companies in packaging, transport, logistics, and environmental sectors. R&D represents more than 81% of ITENE's activity.
2. Testing and Laboratory Services: More than 3,000 m2 of laboratories and pilot plants performing over 500 types of tests on packaging, transport simulation, and workplace safety. ENAC accredited laboratory (LE678).
3. Technological Consulting: Consulting projects for companies in areas related to the entire packaging lifecycle and safety in use and exposure to particles and other agents.
4. Specialized Training: Training courses, networking events, customized programs, and a specialized master's program together with IATA-CSIC.
5. Pilot Scale Services: Pilot-scale development services for companies looking to scale up new materials and processes developed in R&D projects.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

ITENE is a technology center providing R&D, consulting, laboratory testing, pilot-scale services, and specialized training focused on sustainable packaging, transport and logistics, food safety, environmental monitoring, and circular economy. It operates more than 3,000 m² of laboratories and pilot plants offering over 500 types of tests, and participates as coordinator or partner in European R&D projects (Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, PRIMA, BBI-JU).

Product overview

ITENE is a technology center offering knowledge and cutting-edge technology for safer and more sustainable packaging, transport, and logistics. The organization provides services across four main areas: sustainable materials and circular economy technologies; packaging design, safety and functionality; environmental monitoring and safety; and logistics and intelligent mobility. Core service offerings include testing (500+ types of assays across 3,000+ m2 of laboratories), R&D and innovation projects, technological consultancy, pilot scale-up, and specialized training. The organization also develops smart packaging solutions including active packaging and colorimetric freshness indicators, and offers recyclability assessments following international standards. Facilities include the main 12,000 m2 headquarters in Paterna Technology Park, the 2023-opened ITENE ScaleUp building (3,210 m2), and the 2025-opened ITENE Innolab collaborative space.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PACKA (Packaging Creativity & Knowledge Accelerator): Startup accelerator launched by ITENE in 2015 to bring innovations to market. Has launched five startups including SAFE LOAD Testing Technologies and ADBIoplastics.

Products and services

• Testing Services (Ensayos)

Quantifiable outcome

• 50% shelf-life extension for fruits and vegetables using non-thermal technologies
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CSIC (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerITENE is declared as an Associated Unit of CSIC, enabling scientific collaboration and access to broader research infrastructure.
• ENAC (Entidad Nacional de Acreditación)coreOthersENAC accreditation number 316/LE678 for laboratory testing services, providing third-party verification of testing capabilities.
• PACKNET (Plataforma Tecnológica Española de Envase y Embalaje)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerITENE holds the Technical Secretariat of PACKNET, the Spanish Technology Platform for Packaging, coordinating national packaging innovation efforts.
• REDIT (Red de Institutos Tecnológicos de la Comunitat Valenciana)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of technology institutes in the Valencian Community, providing collaborative framework for technology transfer and innovation.
• FEDIT (Federación Española de Centros Tecnológicos)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish Federation of Technology Centers, representing technology centers at national level and facilitating collaboration.
• EARTO (European Association of Research and Technology Organisations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean association representing R&D and technology organizations, enabling participation in European innovation policy and programs.
• ADBioplasticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStartup launched through PACKA accelerator with exclusive worldwide license for PLA-Premium technology developed by ITENE for biodegradable plastics.
• SAFE LOAD Testing TechnologiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStartup launched through PACKA accelerator focused on research and development of new testing methods and solutions for distribution packaging optimization and validation.
• ENZYCLE Project Consortium (13 partners from 6 European countries)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU Horizon 2020 BBI-JU funded project coordinated by ITENE for enzymatic recycling of non-recyclable plastics. Partners include universities (Leipzig, Wageningen, BOKU), research centers (ACIB, Darwin), SMEs (ASA Spezialenzyme, FeyeCon, DAM), and large companies (SOPREMA, Greiner, Aliplast, Indorama).
• FUELGAE Project Consortium (12 partners from 6 countries)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU Horizon Europe funded project coordinated by CSIC for microalgae-based biofuels. ITENE leads LCA tasks. Partners include CERTH, VTT, Oulu University, ArcelorMittal, Perseo Biotech, and Helleniq.
• TRIBIOME Project Consortium (13 partners)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU Horizon Europe project coordinated by ITENE for microbiome integration in food systems. Partners include universities (Bologna, Burgos, Pretoria), research centers (CSIC, Luke), and companies (Fertiberia, Valgenetics).
• ZeroW Project Consortium (46 partners from 16 countries)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU Horizon 2020 project coordinated by ICP for zero food waste supply chains. ITENE leads SILL 2 for fish packaging innovation. Includes universities, research centers, SMEs, and large companies across Europe.
• Waste4Soil Project Consortium (28 partners from 10 countries)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU Horizon Europe project coordinated by CERTH for converting food waste into soil improvers. ITENE leads logistics monitoring device development and thermochemical valorization tasks.
• NOVAFOODIES Project Consortium (27 members)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU Horizon Europe project for functional food from marine and freshwater resources. ITENE works on value chain optimization, traceability systems, and IoT/blockchain technologies.
• SEEDS Project Consortium (16 partners from 7 countries)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU PRIMA project for digitalization of cereal supply chains in MENA region. ITENE leads supply chain risk identification and digitalization tasks.
• SUREFISH Project Consortium (13 partners from 6 countries)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU PRIMA project for Mediterranean fish traceability and authenticity. ITENE leads traceability solutions work package using blockchain, QR codes, and time-temperature indicators.
• SHEALTHY Project Consortium (21 partners from 7 countries)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU Horizon 2020 project for non-thermal food processing technologies. ITENE led active packaging development, traceability, and sustainability assessment tasks.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research): Dutch applied research organization operating across circular economy, materials, food, and logistics. Overlaps with ITENE in circular packaging, food safety, and logistics innovation but on a much larger, multi-domain scale.
• Intertek: Global TIC provider offering packaging testing, sustainability verification, and supply chain assurance. Comparable to ITENE on the testing and certification side, with broader geographic reach and a commercial (for-profit) operating model.
• SGS: Global testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) company with significant packaging and materials testing capacity. Competes with ITENE's accredited testing services for industrial accounts but operates at vastly greater global scale.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finnish applied research center covering bioeconomy, sustainable materials, and food solutions. Comparable to ITENE in industrial biotech and circular materials work, but at substantially greater scale and broader sectoral coverage.

Regional players

• CETIM (Centre Technique des Industries Mécaniques): French technical center providing R&D and testing services to mechanical and process industries. Comparable to ITENE's R&D-and-testing technology-center model, but focused on mechanical industries rather than packaging specifically.

Others

• CSIC (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas): Spain's largest public research institution. ITENE is a registered Associated Unit of CSIC, making CSIC both a strategic partner and an ecosystem anchor rather than a direct competitor; relevant as an enabler/parent-like entity in the Spanish research landscape.

Direct peers

• Smithers: Global testing, consulting, and compliance services company with a strong packaging testing practice. Comparable to ITENE's accredited packaging testing lab and recyclability/compliance services, but operating as a commercial for-profit provider.
• Fraunhofer IVV (Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging): German Fraunhofer institute specializing in food packaging, polymer processing, and packaging-related testing. Comparable to ITENE in its focus on packaging materials, food safety, and process engineering R&D, though operating as part of a much larger applied-research network.
• Tecnalia: Spanish applied research and technology center covering materials, manufacturing, and sustainability. Overlaps with ITENE in materials science, sustainability, and B2B R&D services, and is a direct competitor for Spanish and EU consortium work.
• AIMPLAS: Spanish Plastics Technology Centre based in Valencia, providing R&D, testing, training, and technical assistance on plastic materials and packaging. Directly comparable to ITENE in mission, geography, and customer base, with a similar non-profit technology center structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/itene
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/itenetecnologia
• Facebookfacebook.com/itenetecnologia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/itene-instituto-tecnologico-del-embalaje-transporte-y-logistica
• Instagraminstagram.com/itene_centro_tecnologico

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ITENE