The Eco Innova Social Project was born at the end of 2019, driven by the altruism and social sensitivity of several entrepreneurs linked to the cork industry. This solidarity movement was aligned with the initiative and impetus of Feafes Mérida Salud Mental, the organisation for people and families with mental illness in Mérida and its region, with the aim of creating a Special Employment Centre that contributes to improving the quality of life of people suffering from mental health problems through training, integration and employment support.
Eco Innova Social is committed to eco-design and the circular economy as pillars of a transversal strategy for its business activity.
Thus, their manufacturing and production processes are based on the reuse and reuse of waste and by-products from Km0 or from the local area, using artisanal techniques. They mainly work with waste and by-products from the natural cork industry and, to a lesser extent, from other industries: polyurethane, polystyrene, rock wool, microplastics, wood, clothes, etc.
From the outset, they have been firmly committed to innovation and research into the applications of natural cork waste and its biomortier, as well as eco-design strategies and their environmental benefits. Eco Innova Social participated during 2021 in the pre-acceleration programme of the High Technology Incubator in Bioeconomy and Circular Economy, and during 2022 and 2023 in its incubation and acceleration programme.
On 13 March 2023, Eco Innova Social inaugurated its new Special Employment Centre in Mérida, with the participation of the President of the Regional Government of Extremadura, Guillermo Fernández Vara, and the Mayor of Mérida, Antonio Rodríguez Osuna, other representatives of the Regional Administration and companies and entities that support this unique project.
