Spanish technology SME delivering industrial sensing, data analytics, and materials integration for food packaging, recycling, and manufacturing processes.
IRIS is a Barcelona-area technology SME specializing in process monitoring, sensor integration, and data analytics for industrial applications — particularly in food packaging, materials recycling, and manufacturing quality control. They develop and deploy hyperspectral imaging, nanomaterial-based sensors, and data mining solutions that help production lines detect contaminants, optimize processes, and ensure product quality. Their work bridges the gap between advanced materials (biopolymers, nanocomposites, coatings) and real factory-floor implementation, frequently acting as the technology integrator who brings lab-scale innovations into pilot and industrial environments.
Coordinated AgriMax and POLYBIOSKIN, participated in REFUCOAT, PULPACKTION, MyToolBox, and multiple bio-based packaging projects spanning barrier coatings, active packaging, and mycotoxin detection.
Coordinated ProPAT (process control), DATAMINE4.0 (Industry 4.0 data modeling), HYPERA (hyperspectral imaging), and SHAREBOX (shared process resources), combining sensing hardware with analytics software.
Participated in ECOBULK (automotive/furniture recycling), AgroCycle (agricultural waste), URBIOFIN (municipal waste biorefinery), PERCAL, and DAFIA, with recycling as the most frequent recent keyword.
Coordinated OptiNanoPro (nanomaterials in packaging/automotive/solar), contributed to NEMOSINE (MOF-based gas detection for cultural heritage), and multiple nanocomposite barrier coating projects.
Participated in LASER4SURF (as both partner and third party) on femtosecond laser functionalization, with recent keywords including USP lasers, direct laser interference patterning, and surface functionalization.
Coordinated POLYBIOSKIN (biopolymers for personal care), participated in DAFIA and URBIOFIN on bioplastic precursors, with bioplastics and biopolymers appearing strongly in recent keywords.
In their earlier H2020 period (2015–2018), IRIS worked across a broad range of topics including data mining, cultural heritage preservation (film and photograph conservation via MOF sensors in NEMOSINE), agricultural waste management, and general process control. From 2018 onward, their portfolio sharpened considerably toward recycling, automotive composites, advanced packaging (multilayer barriers, bioplastics), and laser-based surface functionalization — reflecting a pivot from general industrial sensing toward circular economy and sustainable materials. The thread connecting both periods is their consistent role as a technology integrator applying sensors and data analytics to industrial material challenges.
IRIS is moving decisively toward circular economy applications — recycling, bioplastics, and sustainable packaging — while maintaining their core strength in industrial sensing and laser processing, making them a strong future partner for any green manufacturing or packaging initiative.
IRIS operates as a versatile partner, coordinating 13 of their 59 projects (22%) while primarily contributing as a participant — a profile typical of a capable technology SME that can lead when the project aligns with their core IP but is equally comfortable providing specialized services within larger consortia. With 756 unique partners across 36 countries, they are a genuine network hub rather than a company locked into repeat partnerships. Their participation in both RIA (research) and IA (innovation/demonstration) projects signals comfort across the full TRL spectrum from applied research through industrial validation.
IRIS has built one of the larger SME collaboration networks in H2020, working with 756 distinct partners across 36 countries. Their geographic reach spans all of Western and Southern Europe with strong connections into Central and Northern European research institutions and industrial clusters.
What sets IRIS apart is their rare combination of sensing/monitoring technology expertise with deep materials knowledge across food, packaging, and manufacturing — they don't just develop sensors, they understand the materials and processes being monitored. As a Spanish SME with 59 H2020 projects and coordinator experience, they bring an unusually large network and track record for their size, making them a low-risk, high-capability partner. For consortium builders, IRIS fills the critical "technology integrator" gap — the partner who translates lab results into pilot-line instrumentation and data-driven process optimization.
