“We hope that the Green Innovation Forum will create business opportunities, foster international collaborations, increase Navarra's visibility, and strengthen and boost the positioning that the Comunidad Foral already holds”

On November 19, the Green Innovation Forum will return to Pamplona for its fifth edition. Organized by AseBio and the Government of Navarra through the public entity Sodena, this landmark event for the biotech sector will focus on the opportunities biotechnology offers as a key tool in the transition toward a more sustainable, carbon-neutral, and green economic model.

A unique meeting point for leading Spanish and international companies and research institutions in the field of green biotechnology, set in an ideal location like Pamplona. “Navarra is an exemplary region for its transition toward a sustainable production system that efficiently utilizes resources, reduces environmental impact, and fosters new business models based on bioeconomy and circularity,” says Iñaki Larraya, Managing Director of Sodena. He shares, in the following lines, the role of Sodena in the new edition of the Green Innovation Forum and the region's commitment to sustainability.

AseBio: What role does Sodena play in this fifth edition of the AseBio Green Innovation Forum?

Iñaki Larraya: As the financial instrument of the Government of Navarra, Sodena plays an essential role in organizing the AseBio Green Innovation Forum. This event serves as a meeting point for companies, research centers, and investment agents. It’s a forum that facilitates connections and synergy generation, which can lead to shared pathways for collaboration and investment in biotechnology and sustainability—both strategic areas for Navarra. In this sense, holding this event aligns perfectly with one of our missions: to drive the transition toward a more sustainable economic model, promoting responsible food production, clean energy, and a circular economy. All of this is reflected in the Smart Specialization Strategy for Sustainability (S4), which outlines the Comunidad Foral’s roadmap to becoming a leader in sustainable development by 2030.

AseBio: How is sustainability integrated into Navarra’s Smart Specialization Strategy for Sustainability (S4)?

Iñaki Larraya: Sustainability is the core of the S4, impacting all strategic areas, especially green energy, sustainable food, and the circular economy. Navarra has research and technology centers like CENER, CNTA, CIMA, NavarraBiomed, and the Institute of Agrobiotechnology, among others, that generate the knowledge necessary to advance in these fields. These organizations, along with the sectoral clusters in the region—ENERCLUSTER and NAGRIFOOD—contribute to positioning Navarra as a leader in R&D+i thanks to projects such as the European Circular Innovation Valley. This initiative is aligned with the 2030 Agenda and the European Green Deal. At the same time, Navarra is working on similar initiatives that aim to find new circular economy solutions or products through innovation, which, in addition to reaching the market and being competitive, strengthen the region's economy, improve its citizens’ well-being, and bolster its business network.

AseBio: In the field of green energy, what are the main challenges and opportunities being discussed at the forum?

Iñaki Larraya: Navarra is an exemplary region in its transition toward a sustainable production system with efficient resource utilization, reducing environmental impact, and fostering new business models based on bioeconomy and circularity. Among these initiatives are developments in clean energy, efficient storage technologies, green hydrogen production, and the valorization of by-products and biofuels. These projects are fundamental to positioning Navarra as a sustainability leader. They also help solidify its energy independence while reducing its carbon footprint and emissions.
In this context, we want the forum to focus primarily on analyzing, reflecting, and debating innovative solutions that strengthen the commitment to renewables by companies, the public administration, and the citizens of Navarra.

AseBio: How important are sustainable food production and the development of alternative proteins for the future of Navarra?

Iñaki Larraya: Sustainable food production is a priority for Navarra for two main reasons. First, it ensures a competitive agri-food production, and second, it respects the environment. Examples include projects in alternative proteins, advances in plant production, and efforts in regenerative agriculture—all aimed at offering healthier, more sustainable products that align with new consumer demands.
These advancements help secure food availability by using natural resources more efficiently and strengthen an industry that prioritizes health and the environment. We have laid the foundation and are working to create economic value by producing new products from what were previously considered waste or byproducts in the agri-food industry.

AseBio: Synthetic biology will be a key topic in this edition. What role does it play in industrial transformation and the circular economy?

Iñaki Larraya: Synthetic biology has disruptive potential for both industry and the circular economy. This emerging field enables the design of biological components with applications in sectors like energy, food, and health, creating more sustainable processes. Although it faces technological and regulatory challenges, synthetic biology promises to transform key industries and be a major driver of economic growth and sustainability in Navarra.
The interest shown by the production sector, investors, and consumers highlights the significant role it could play in the future. Therefore, we see it as a strategic opportunity for Navarra, one we are already addressing through a business plan that includes infrastructure investment. This technology could provide more sustainable, eco-friendly solutions while promoting innovation across diverse sectors.

AseBio: In Navarra, programs like Navarra ZIRKULAR and the European Circular Innovation Valley (ECIV) are being launched. How are they contributing to the green transition?

Iñaki Larraya: Navarra ZIRKULAR is a public-private initiative with over 200 companies and nearly 50 collaborating entities already involved. This project promotes strategic thinking and action by companies to identify new opportunities that arise from the challenge of redesigning, restructuring, and improving current products and services. It aims to ensure that resources are utilized efficiently and economically, extending product lifecycles. Training, advising, and support are provided from the design stage, and the project facilitates reuse, remanufacturing, and optimal waste valorization, encouraging recycling and a more efficient production system. In short, this initiative seeks to reduce environmental impact while generating new business and employment opportunities across all productive sectors.
In this landscape of opportunity, the ECIV project has recently launched, led by the regional government with Sodena’s support. It includes €16.3 million in cascade funding calls for collaborative innovation projects focused on circularity. ECIV thus enhances the positioning and activities of Navarra Zirkular on a European level.

AseBio: What impact does Sodena hope the AseBio Green Innovation Forum will have on biotechnology and sustainability in Navarra?

Iñaki Larraya: AseBio has already chosen Pamplona to host two editions of BioSpain as well as multiple Green Innovation Forums. This choice underscores Navarra's significance in biotechnology and sustainability at both national and international levels. Now, with this new edition, we hope that the AseBio Green Innovation Forum will create business opportunities, foster international collaborations, increase Navarra’s visibility, and solidify and elevate the position that the Comunidad Foral already enjoys.
Navarra is also recognized as the national territory with the highest quality of life, making it an ideal environment to attract talent, investment, and business growth. We are confident that holding this forum will secure our region’s future as a leader in innovation in the bioeconomy field.