WestBIC Joins LOTTI Partners in Cantabria to Explore Innovation, Heritage and Regional Development
WestBIC is an Enterprise Ireland partner providing hands-on startup support, funding readiness and investment preparation for early-stage founders in the west of Ireland.
WestBIC was delighted to take part in the seventh Interregional Learning Meeting (LIM7) of the LOTTI project, hosted by the Gobierno de Cantabria and OPE Cantabria in northern Spain.
Bringing together project partners from across Europe, the two-day meeting provided an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences, review progress, and explore how investment, innovation, and local heritage can work together to strengthen regional economies.
Day One — Learning from Innovation and Industrial Heritage
The programme began with visits to two innovative businesses in Reocín that have benefited from investment through the ITI Besaya strategy.
The first visit was to OMT Recycling, Spain’s leading producer of 100% recycled PET granules certified for food contact. Established in 2020, the company demonstrates how investment in sustainable manufacturing and the circular economy can create new opportunities while reducing environmental impact.
Partners also visited West Packaging, a company with more than 75 years of experience in the packaging sector. Their continued success illustrates how traditional industries can remain competitive by embracing innovation while building on decades of expertise.
Following the morning site visits, partners gathered at the historic Solvay Casino, once the social centre of one of Cantabria’s largest industrial communities. The venue provided a fitting setting for the afternoon project workshop, where partners shared updates on regional action plans, discussed implementation challenges, and exchanged practical experiences that will support policy development across the partnership.
The day concluded with a visit to La Lechera Cultural, Artistic and Exhibition Centre in Torrelavega. Originally constructed in 1899 as a sugar and condensed milk factory, the building is now undergoing an impressive transformation into a major cultural and creative hub. The project highlights how historic industrial buildings can be successfully repurposed to support culture, education, tourism, and community development while preserving their unique heritage.
Day Two — Connecting Heritage with Regional Growth
The second day opened with the project’s Steering Committee meeting, where partners reviewed progress and discussed the next stages of implementation across the LOTTI partnership.
Partners then travelled to El Soplao Cave, one of Spain’s most remarkable natural heritage sites. Discovered during mining operations in the early twentieth century, the cave offers a fascinating example of how geological heritage, industrial history, and tourism can be combined to create a unique visitor experience and contribute to sustainable regional development.
The visit provided valuable inspiration on the role that heritage and place identity can play in supporting economic growth, reinforcing many of the themes at the heart of the LOTTI project.
Strengthening Collaboration Across Europe
For WestBIC, meetings such as LIM7 are an important part of the LOTTI journey. They provide opportunities to learn from innovative projects across Europe, share experiences from Ireland, and bring practical ideas back to support regional policy development and sustainable economic growth.
We would like to sincerely thank the Gobierno de Cantabria and OPE Cantabria for their excellent organisation, generous hospitality, and for showcasing the inspiring work taking place across the region.