Established on June 9, 2023, National Sustainability Day puts Portugal on the map as the first country in the world to officially designate a date dedicated to this cause. The celebration coincides with the day that marks the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations (UN) – September 25.
In Europe, sustainability has been gaining ground in business strategies, driving investment in innovation and sustainable transformation.
The INOV.AM Agenda: integrating innovation and sustainability
In this context, the INOV.AM Agenda has emerged, a consortium of 73 Portuguese entities created to promote scientific and technological innovation in Additive Manufacturing. Its mission is to integrate traditional production methods, improve process efficiency, and enhance sustainability. To achieve this goal, the Agenda has defined a strategic sustainability management activity (Figure 1), based on monitoring socio-environmental indicators defined on the basis of reference metrics. These indicators allow the consortium’s performance to be monitored from the pre-project year (2022) to the post-project year (2027).
Figure 1. Goals of the INOV.AM Agenda
The methodology adopted is based on the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) international standard, with 20 socio-environmental indicators selected in line with 9 of the 17 SDGs – an approach that is also highly relevant for national reports. According to the European Sustainable Development Report 2025, Portugal currently ranks 22nd among 34 European countries in terms of SDG compliance, with significant gaps in SDG 12 (Sustainable Consumption and Production) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
Results to be achieved by 2027 with the INOV.AM Agenda:
- Greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction: 25% reduction in emissions associated with the production process, compared to the baseline year (2022).
- Renewable energy: Achieve 57% incorporation of renewable energy in production processes.
- Recycled/reused materials: Increase the incorporation of recycled/reused materials by 250%.
- Training: Conduct 15 training activities.
- Jobs created: Generate 218 new jobs.
- Highly Qualified Jobs (EAQ): 25% increase in the number of EAQs, reaching 168 jobs (including doctorates).
- Scientific and technological production: Publication of 55 technical and scientific papers co-authored by companies and non-business entities.
- Number of actions to disseminate the knowledge created: 35 dissemination actions carried out, such as webinars, workshops, among others.
The indicators defined by the INOV.AM Agenda are not limited to providing information —they guide strategic decisions and ensure that innovation continues to serve a more just, efficient, and sustainable future.
Authors: Ana Carolina Soares, Catarina Faria, Daniel Ribeiro, Samara Costa, and Vanessa Oliveira, Polymer Engineering Innovation Hub (PIEP)
