CeNTI celebrates this year two decades of activity dedicated to applied research, technological development, and knowledge transfer to industry, establishing itself as a Portuguese and European reference in Nanotechnology, Advanced Materials, and Smart Systems.

Founded in 2006 in Vila Nova de Famalicão (Portugal), the Centre was created as an unprecedented initiative in Portugal: the country's first research centre dedicated to Nanotechnology. Its pioneering spirit quickly transcended borders, distinguishing itself in Europe as one of the first centres to systematically direct research results towards industrial applications in sectors such as textiles, footwear, cork, plastics, construction, aeronautics, and automotive, contributing to the innovation and modernisation of these sectors.

Since its founding, CeNTI has adopted a pioneering approach in linking applied research and industry, guiding scientific and technological development towards the creation of economic value and responding to concrete market challenges.

Over two decades, the Centre has strengthened and expanded its scientific and technological capacity, increasing the number of Projects and specialised services, as well as its network of clients and partners that extends beyond national borders. Today, it stands as a benchmark partner for the scientific and technological system and for the business and industrial sectors, promoting the transfer, valorisation, and application of knowledge across different areas of activity.

Remarkable track record in intellectual property

CeNTI is one of the most active Portuguese entities in patent registration. Over the last twenty years, the Centre has built a remarkable track record in intellectual property, with an active portfolio currently exceeding 100 registrations, of which more than 75 are granted patents.

This number also includes numerous patents registered by CeNTI clients, directly based on technological developments transferred by the Centre – a concrete indicator of the impact of its activity on the business ecosystem and the competitiveness of the companies with which it collaborates. These indicators demonstrate the Centre's continued capacity to generate knowledge with technological and commercial value.

A path of continuous growth and consolidation

Over time, CeNTI has expanded the scope of its activities and the technologies it develops, reinforcing its participation in multidisciplinary Projects of high technological complexity. Currently, it integrates Portuguese and European initiatives related to sustainability and bioeconomy, the digitalisation of materials and processes, energy storage and generation, smart buildings and spaces, health and well-being, packaging and mobility, with a particular focus on the automotive sector.

Cutting-edge infrastructure at the service of innovation

With 19 high-tech laboratories and a multidisciplinary team, CeNTI has seen growing demand for its specialised services. In addition to R&D and contracted innovation activities, it stands out for its advanced technical support services for material characterisation and validation, prototyping, product development, and pre-series production.

Since 2024, in its new facilities, CeNTI has continuously strengthened its capabilities to respond to emerging challenges, with a particular focus on sustainability and bioeconomy, energy and decarbonisation, as well as the digitalisation of materials and processes.

An example of this positioning is CeNTI's growing role in the battery value chain – a strategic area experiencing strong global expansion – which has motivated significant investments in dedicated technological infrastructure, reinforcing its capacity to support companies and partners in this strategic domain for the energy transition and the mobility of the future.

CeNTI in the Portuguese Press

The CeNTI's 20th anniversary, celebrated on May 19th, was mentioned by several Portuguese media outlets, notably in articles published by Jornal T, RUM – Rádio Universitária do Minho, Braga TV, Cidade Hoje, the newspaper Terras do Homem, and Famalicão Made In.