The Centre's constant technological scanning of all economic sectors (biotechnology, pharmacy, energy, construction, transport, etc.) means it is always abreast of innovation in the materials field, and can transfer this knowledge and technology to its assessment activities.

During 2009 Mater advised ninety-eight companies and organised dissemination and educational activities, with major input coming from its exhibition 'Mater in progress. New materials, new industry'. The exhibition showcases over 350 innovative projects of companies, professionals, technology centres and universities all over Spain. In 2009 it toured to Saragossa and Madrid where it was visited by over 24,000 people.

In 2010, apart from the centre's usual activities, it will be developing the Mater 2.0 portal, a collaborative website which users can consult and to which they can contribute content on new materials. It is also planned to turn the touring exhibition into a permanent display to lend greater visibility to the innovative projects of the companies which form part of Spain's business fabric.

MAIN ECONOMIC AND TECHNICAL FIGURES

• Mater consists of:
• 200 m² exhibition room at FAD headquarters.
• A thousand samples of new materials.
• On-line database with more than 3,500 entries.
• Mater in progress: educational activity that displays 347 projects, behind which are 225 agents for innovation, the result of ongoing research and observation initiatives pursued from the centre.