INSTITUTO DE TECNOLOGIAS QUIMICAS EMERGENTES DE LA RIOJA ASOCIACION

Their core work

INTER-QUIMICA is a Spanish research SME specializing in emerging chemical technologies applied to graphene and 2D materials. Based in La Rioja, they contribute to the development of graphene-based composites, coatings, and functional materials with applications spanning energy storage, electronics, sensors, and biomedical devices. Their work sits at the intersection of chemical processing and advanced materials manufacturing, with a clear trajectory toward scaling laboratory results into pilot-line production of 2D materials.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2016-2019), INTER-QUIMICA worked on broad-spectrum graphene research covering composites, energy, electronics, photonics, sensors, and biomedical applications — essentially exploring which graphene applications held the most promise. From 2020 onward, their focus sharpened dramatically toward industrialization: FET Flagship scale-up and pilot-line production of 2D materials. This mirrors the Graphene Flagship's own transition from fundamental research to commercial readiness.

INTER-QUIMICA is moving from research into manufacturing scale-up of graphene and 2D materials, positioning itself as a bridge between lab-stage innovation and industrial production.

How they like to work

INTER-QUIMICA operates exclusively as a participant in very large consortia — all four projects are part of the Graphene Flagship, which explains their 250 unique partners across 24 countries. They have never coordinated a project, suggesting they function as a specialized contributor bringing chemical processing expertise to massive multi-partner initiatives. Their loyalty to a single flagship programme indicates deep integration within this ecosystem rather than broad-spectrum project hunting.

Through the Graphene Flagship, INTER-QUIMICA has worked alongside 250 unique partners across 24 countries, giving them an unusually large network for a small SME. However, this network is concentrated within the graphene research community rather than diversified across sectors.

What sets them apart

INTER-QUIMICA is one of the few SMEs embedded in the Graphene Flagship from its core phases through to pilot-line production — most SMEs lack the staying power for this. Their chemical technology background gives them a specific niche: they understand the chemistry of scaling graphene production, not just the physics of graphene properties. For consortium builders, they offer a rare combination of SME agility with deep flagship-programme experience and an established 250-partner network.

Highlights from their portfolio

• 2D-EPL
  Represents their shift to industrialization — a dedicated experimental pilot line for 2D materials, signaling commercial-readiness ambitions.
• GrapheneCore2
  Their highest-funded project (EUR 155,000) covering the broadest application range: composites, energy, electronics, photonics, sensors, and biomedical technologies.