We are proud to announce the publication of POLYMAT’s first Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report. This document marks a significant milestone in our trajectory, formalizing our conviction that scientific excellence must always be accompanied by a deep responsibility toward our planet and society .

In this report, we detail how we translate the ESG criteria into tangible actions within our research center. regarding the Environmental pillar, our work is dedicated to fighting climate change and promoting a true circular economy. We are actively developing biodegradable polymers, advanced materials for safer batteries, and technologies for water purification, ensuring that the materials of the future are sustainable by design .

The Social dimension highlights our commitment to the people who make innovation possible. We understand that excellence requires diversity; therefore, we foster a multicultural ecosystem that welcomes researchers from 36 different nationalities . Furthermore, we are committed to closing the gender gap in STEM, with a workforce composed of 52% women and specific initiatives designed to support and promote female leadership in science .

Finally, in terms of Governance, we demonstrate how we turn ethics into impact. We translate our research into real-world solutions, a commitment reflected in the generation of over 40 patents and the creation of four startups to transfer our innovations to society .

Through these activities, we directly contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to energy, health and sustainability (SDGs 3, 6, 7, 9, 12, and 13), while cementing our organizational culture on quality education and gender equality (SDGs 4 and 5) .

We invite you to download and read the full report, available in both English and Spanish, via the link below:

https://labur.eus/ESGreport

https://labur.eus/dossierESG

Last week, POLYMAT researchers (Aitor Barquero, Edurne González Gándara, Jose Ramon Leiza, Mario Martinez Yubero and Sara Rubio Murillo) were in Mutriku coating the floaters of the floating photovoltaic prototype developed within the NaturSea-PV project. The floaters were protected with bio-based, waterborne polymer coatings developed by the Polymerization Processes Group, specifically designed to withstand harsh marine conditions.

These coatings combine high biobased content, hydrophobicity and antifouling performance, contributing to improved durability and reduced maintenance requirements of offshore PV substructures. Their formulation is supported by recent scientific advances showing how tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate enables the production of biobased, hydrophobic waterborne coatings with superior water resistance compared to conventional oil-based systems.

This on-site application represents a key step in the transition from laboratory research to real marine deployment, in line with NaturSea-PV’s objective to develop durable, low-carbon and environmentally friendly solutions for offshore floating photovoltaics. Further information about the project is available at https://www.natursea-pv.eu/, and the related scientific article can be consulted at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0300944025001080.