Centro Tecnologico Nacional Agroalimentario Extremadura

What Centro Tecnologico Nacional Agroalimentario Extremadura does

CTAEX (Centro Tecnol\u00f3gico Nacional Agroalimentario Extremadura) is a non-profit business association (Asociaci\u00f3n Empresarial sin \u00e1nimo de lucro) established in January 2001 in Badajoz, Spain, after regional agri-food cooperatives and business groups acquired the technology center that Nestl\u00e9 was divesting. Officially registered as Centro Tecnol\u00f3gico No. 80 and Oficina de Transferencia del Conocimiento (OTC) No. 189 by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, CTAEX provides applied R&D, innovation, analytical, training and technology-transfer services to agricultural cooperatives, agri-food companies, entrepreneurs, and research institutions across Extremadura and Spain. Its service portfolio includes contracted R&D project work, laboratory analysis (with UNE EN ISO 17025-accredited cannabinoid testing for industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis), agricultural field trials, sensory analysis, product development, process control, by-product valorization, training programs and an accredited knowledge-transfer office supporting IP registration and exploitation.

The center's underlying technology stack combines proprietary analytical and processing capabilities under its STEP Technologies framework with 18+ specialized Technological Observatories covering tomato, olive oil, industrial hemp, aromatic and medicinal plants, wine, dairy, meat, stone fruit, beekeeping, biotechnology, sustainability, digitization and organic production. It maintains 15 active research lines and coordinates 20 Regional Operating Groups (Grupos Operativos Regionales) co-financed by FEADER, Junta de Extremadura and the Ministry of Agriculture, while participating in 8 of 63 (12%+) National Operative Groups. CTAEX is an active partner in European consortia, most notably SUSTAINEXT (a 54-month CBE JU flagship biorefinery project with 21 partners across five countries), I-RESTART (ERASMUS+) and LIFE Alnus Taejo.

Commercially, CTAEX operates a project-based, non-transactional revenue model with no publicly disclosed pricing. Income is generated through member-association fees, bilateral R&D service contracts, fee-for-service analytical work, training programs, EU/national/regional grant co-financing, and consortium-based project funding. The organization employs multi-year contract engagements, runs 18+ specialized sector observatories as a continuous intelligence and marketing channel, distributes the RedTecnoCTAEX newsletter, and participates in events such as Transfiere and Agroexpo. Its customer base comprises 68 associated entities (as of July 2025, up from 63 in June 2024), alongside external agri-food firms, cooperatives, startups (including CANNUP hemp accelerator participants), and academic partners. CTAEX is governed by President Juan Jos\u00e9 Manzanero and Director Jos\u00e9 Luis Llerena, and is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026.

Name

Centro Tecnologico Nacional Agroalimentario Extremadura

Legal name

ASOCIACION EMPRESARIAL CENTRO TECNOLOGICO NACIONAL AGROALIMENTARIO EXTREMADURA

Website

https://ctaex.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Centro Tecnol\u00f3gico Nacional Agroalimentario Extremadura (CTAEX) is a non-profit Spanish technology center in Badajoz providing applied R&D, analytical, training, and technology-transfer services to agricultural cooperatives, agri-food companies, entrepreneurs, and research institutions across Extremadura and Spain.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Research Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Environmental Consulting Services (54162)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Precision/Variable-Rate Agronomy & Rx Development (AFACABAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Variable Rate Technology (VRT) & Prescription/Tasking Platforms (AFAAAFAE)

Keywords

• Agri-food research services
• Agricultural analytical testing
• Food technology transfer
• Agricultural R&D
• Sustainable food production

Headquarters

HQ city

Badajoz

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

Revenue model

1. R&D and Innovation Project Services: Contracted research and development services for agricultural and agri-food companies, including project development, technology transfer, and applied research. Revenue generated through bilateral service contracts, often co-funded by public grants (FEADER, regional and national funds, EU programs).
2. Analytical Services: Laboratory analysis services for agri-food products, including food safety testing, quality control, and specialized cannabis/hemp analysis. Fee-for-service model based on testing scope.
3. Agricultural Trials: Field trials and agricultural tests conducted for companies, cooperatives and research institutions to validate products, techniques and methodologies.
4. Training and Education Services: Workshops, courses, and technical training for professionals in the agri-food sector. Provided through RedTecnoCTAEX newsletter and event programs.
5. Knowledge Transfer Office Services: Services from the accredited Office of Knowledge Transfer (OTC No. 189): industrial and intellectual property registration, exploitation of R&D results, promotion of collaborative research, technology services contracting, and creation of knowledge-based entities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CTAEX is a non-profit business association that delivers R&D, innovation, analytical, training, and information services to agri-food sector companies. Its activities span 15 research lines across agriculture, livestock, horticulture, food industry, biomass, and emerging sectors such as industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis, supported by 17 specialised laboratories and pilot plant infrastructure. The organization operates as a registered Technology Center (No. 80) and Office of Knowledge Transfer (OTK No. 189), mobilising more than 90 public R&D projects and 20 supra-regional operating groups.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Agri-food Analytical Services Physicochemical, microbiological, nutritional, and multi-residue analytical testing services delivered through 17 specialised laboratories for agri-food companies, cooperatives, and public institutions requiring quality and regulatory compliance data.
• Industrial Hemp and Medicinal Cannabis Analytical Services Specialised analytical, characterisation, and product development services for industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis, including processing support, formulation, and regulatory testing for the emerging cannabis industry.
• Agricultural Trials (Ensayos Agrícolas) Execution of agricultural trials under field and controlled conditions to evaluate crop varieties, input efficiency, and agronomic practices for agri-food producers and input suppliers.
• Product Development (Desarrollo de Productos) Contracted development of new food, feed, and biomass-based products, including formulation, prototyping, and pilot-scale validation for agri-food companies and startups.
• Sensory Analysis (Análisis Sensoriales) Trained-panel sensory analysis services for food and beverage products, supporting product benchmarking, quality control, and consumer-oriented development for agri-food firms.
• Process Control (Control de Procesos) Process control and optimisation services for agri-food production processes, including monitoring technologies, IoT sensors, and digital twin-based simulation for industrial efficiency.
• By-product Valorisation (Valorización de Subproductos) Valorisation of agricultural and food-industry by-products into higher-value outputs, including biorefinery concepts such as SUSTAINEXT, supporting circular economy objectives for agri-food producers.
• Technology Transfer (Transferencia Tecnológica) Formal technology transfer brokerage between research institutions and agri-food companies, including identification, valuation, and adoption of new technologies across the sector.
• Project Development (Desarrollo de Proyectos) Coordination and execution of national and European R&D projects, including consortium building, project management, and reporting for collaborative research initiatives.
• Training and Workshops (Jornadas y Cursos) Specialised training, courses, and technical workshops for professionals in the agri-food sector covering topics such as sensory analysis, regulatory compliance, and emerging technologies.
• FOODLAB Innovation Programme Open innovation programme supporting agri-food startups through mentoring, pilot infrastructure access, and connection to the CTAEX network of 63 associated entities.
• CANNUP Industrial Cannabis Accelerator Specialised accelerator for industrial cannabis and industrial hemp ventures, providing pilot plant access, technical mentorship, and laboratory support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Extremadura produces 70% of Spain's processed tomato industry output
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and flagship.

• RedIRISstrategicTechnology or Integration · 17 July 2025CTAEX officially joined RedIRIS, the Spanish academic and research network managed by Red.es (public business entity under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation). This membership provides advanced connectivity with 100,000 Mbps links for scientific projects and massive data transfer, security services (IRIS-CERT, DDoS mitigation), eduroam mobility, cloud tools, and collaboration platforms. ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 27001 certified infrastructure.
• FEDIT (Federación de Entidades de Innovación y Tecnología)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of FEDIT, the Spanish Federation of Innovation and Technology Entities, providing access to national network of technology centers and collaborative opportunities.
• Food for Life SpaincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated with Food for Life Spain network, collaborating on food innovation and sustainability initiatives.
• Plataforma AKIS (Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChosen as Advisory Support Service within the European AKIS network for agricultural and agri-food technical advice, under the EAFRD.
• SUSTAINEXT Consortium (21 European Partners)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlagship project under CBE JU (Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking) developing a digital, carbon-neutral biorefinery for botanical extracts. Partners include: Natac, Innovaoleo, Agrosingularity, TABACOEX, BIOPLAT, Enel Green Power España, ARRAM Consultores, Industrias y Promociones Alimenticias, Biomasa Peninsular, DOP Torta del Casar, Nutraresearch, FUNDECYT-PCTEX, IRIS Technology Solutions (Spain); Enel Green Power, Star Industriale, ACEL Pharma, Università degli Studi di Torino (Italy); ECODESIGN Company (Austria); MIAVIT (Germany); Mibelle Biochemistry (Switzerland).
• Fertinagro BiotechstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew associated entity (2025) - fertilizer and biotech company, forming part of CTAEX's growing network of 68 associated companies.
• NATAC GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerBotanical extracts company based in Hervás, Extremadura. Lead partner in SUSTAINEXT project and collaborator on hemp research, aromatic plants, and circular economy initiatives. Hosts project meetings and drives biorrefinery innovation.
• BiostevaracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStevia cultivation company in Barquilla de Pinares, collaborating on STEVIBREED project for Stevia rebaudiana improvement and valorization in Extremadura.
• TABACOEXcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTobacco cooperative (former tobacco fields) collaborating on aromatic and medicinal plants research, hosting GLOBALPAM project activities in Rosalejo, Cáceres.
• Finca Las TiesascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExperimental farm hosting agricultural trials for DEHLIDIA project (fighting cattle meat valorization) and other R&D activities in dehesa ecosystem.
• Grupo Operativo STEVIBREEDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperative group focused on integral improvement of Stevia rebaudiana cultivation for regional valorization, funded by FEADER (85%), Junta de Extremadura (11.28%), and Ministry of Agriculture (3.72%).
• Grupo Operativo METHANWASTE ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional Operative Group for energy valorization of agri-food byproducts in Extremadura for biomethane production. Includes TROIL VEGAS ALTAS, IBERGENÉTICA, TOMALIA, COMPLUS. Funding: €271,740.60.
• Grupo Operativo riPLUM ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperative group developing intelligent systems for organic plum harvest optimization using ethylene monitoring and ozone application. Funding: €265,980.72.
• Grupo Operativo GLOBALPAMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperative group for development of aromatic and medicinal plants sector in Extremadura and market differentiation. Partners: NATAC, Ecohabitat Ibérico, TABACOEX, CTAEX.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CNTA (Centro Nacional de Tecnología y Seguridad Alimentaria): Spanish food technology center providing analytical testing, R&D, sensory analysis and regulatory support to agri-food companies; serves a similar member-driven business-association model with overlapping service lines.
• AINIA: Spanish food and agri-food technology center offering applied R&D, analytical services, sensory analysis and technology transfer — overlapping directly with CTAEX's analytical, R&D and innovation services portfolio.
• CICYTEX (Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas de Extremadura): Public agricultural research center also headquartered in Extremadura, conducting applied agronomic research, field trials and food/feed quality analysis across overlapping crop portfolios (tomato, olive, fruit, livestock). Most direct geographic and functional peer to CTAEX.
• CITA (Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón): Aragonese agri-food research center operating field trials, analytical services and food innovation programs — direct functional peer with similar cooperative/SME customer base.
• AZTI: Basque research center for food and marine resources providing applied R&D, analytical testing and innovation services to agri-food businesses — comparable mixed public/private technology-center structure.
• NEIKER (Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development): Public agricultural research institute providing applied R&D, crop trials and technology transfer to Basque-region agri-food companies — comparable regional technology-center positioning and service model.
• IRTA (Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries): Catalan agricultural and food R&D institute conducting applied research, technology transfer and analytical services across crop production, livestock and food processing — closely comparable in mission and service mix.
• ITACyL (Instituto Tecnológico Agrario de Castilla y León): Regional agri-food research institute in Castilla y León delivering R&D, agronomic trials and food technology services to cooperatives and SMEs — analogous public-sector technology-center model with overlapping value proposition.

Broad incumbents

• Wageningen University & Research: Dutch agricultural and food research giant and global benchmark for applied agri-food R&D, contract research and technology transfer — overlaps with CTAEX in agronomic research, food analytics and EU consortium leadership, but at materially larger scale.
• INRAE (Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement): French national agronomic and food research institute covering crop science, livestock, food processing and environmental science — broad incumbent peer with overlapping EU-funded project participation and applied-research delivery model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCxqrnN3kvb6fIC0tO6wKDYA
• Facebookfacebook.com/CTAEX
• Xx.com/CTAEX_CIT

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Centro Tecnologico Nacional Agroalimentario Extremadura