The "Institut Univ. de Ciència i Tecnologia" (IUCT), is a Centre for Technological Innovation and Development, dedicated to scientific research, technological development, scientific services and education. The objective of IUCT is the development, implementation and promotion of new technologies and products for the Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Fine Chemicals, Environmental, Biotechnological and related sectors. Throughout its history, IUCT has accumulated a great deal of experience in working with companies from these sectors, developing all types of specific projects. IUCT was officially established in November 1997, although the idea for the Centre was conceived back in 1987, at which time a set of interests and future objectives were coming together. In April 1998 IUCT opened new facilities, which would later become its head office. These facilities include laboratories, a pilot pharmaceutical plant, a pilot chemical plant, offices and other services. The total area of these facilities is 3.000 m2, which has enabled the Centre to absorb the significant growth in its activities. In order to promote research activities, in March 1999 the Scientific Council was created, which meets twice a year. The objective of this Council is to establish a close relationship between IUCT and companies. They indicate their preferences and, based on these, IUCT obtains a guide so as to be able to target its future projects in the field of research and development. In April 1999, a research co-operation agreement was signed between the Association of Spanish Fine Chemicals Manufacturers (AFAQUIM) and IUCT. As a result of this agreement, AFAQUIM has given its support to the research projects developed at IUCT, especially those that come under the title of "Green Chemistry". Since February 2000, IUCT has been the state headquarters of the Green Chemistry Institute of Spain, affiliated to the Green Chemistry Institute of the United States. The GCI's mission is to promote Green Chemistry research and education by means of collaboration between the government, industry and national laboratories. In October 2000, IUCT was invited by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) to take part in the "Workshop on Research and Development in the Context of Green Sustainable Chemistry", which took place in Tokyo. The objective of the working conferences was to set out the lines of ACTION of the OECD in the area of Green Chemistry. IUCT is a founder member of the Spanish division of the European Society of Combinatorial Sciences, a society founded in 1999, to which the major European laboratories working in Combinatorial Chemistry belong. In summer 2000, an agreement WAS signed with the LGAI (Laboratori General d'Assajos i Investigacions – General Testing and Research Laboratory) of the Generalitat de Catalunya, to mutually strengthen the activities of the two centres. In January 2001, a pilot pharmaceutical plant was opened, offering a new service, the Pharmaceutical Development and Innovation Service, created with the aim of developing the Institute's own projects and to provide support to the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. The service enables medical development, new drugs development and the production of batches for research and clinical trials to be performed. In May 2001, IUCT was invited to take part in the "Expert Group Meeting on Clean Technologies for Sustainable Chemistry and Pollution Deduction and Prevention", which took place in Italy and was organised by the International Centre for Science and High Technology and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, UNIDO. In June 2001, IUCT was invited by the IUPAC and the University of Colorado to take part as members of the future actions committee of the "IUPAC CHEMRAWN XIV. Green Chemistry: Toward Environmentally Benign Processes and Products", the first world-wide congress on Green Chemistry. In September 2001, IUCT was invited to take part in the IUPAC-OECD Workshop on Green Chemistry Education. IUCT is a foundational member of the “Red Europea de Líquidos Iónicos” net founded in may 2002. Including more than 20 European prestige groups. In December 2002, IUCT entered to be part of the “Xarxa IT del Departament de Industria de la Generalitat de Catalunya” IUCT is a organiser and member of “Red Española de Química Verde” IUCT organised the “ 1ª Reunión Ibérica de Química Combinatoria” Since its establishment in 1997, IUCT has participated in over 20 international and national congresses with its corresponding scientific contributions. Always attentive to the requirements of the sector and within the area of specialised training, IUCT signed a binding agreement with the University of Vigo to teach the degree course in "Graduate in Technology and Industrial Safety and Quality", a second stage university course, at its facilities. The centre has also signed an agreement with the University of Barcelona (UB), recognising activities developed at IUCT as free choice credits.