“Innovation and Sustainability: Connecting the Marble and Agri-Food Sectors” is the second seminar, co-organised by Dr. Mariana Oller, together with the Andalusian Marble Business Association, the University of Almeria and the Marble School of Fines, which has become a unique platform to merge these key concepts in two crucial sectors for the Almerian economy.
The meeting, which also served to highlight the importance of education and continuous training to improve competitiveness and sustainability in these sectors, took place at Cosentino’s headquarters and brought together leaders from both industries, experts, academics and professionals to promote sustainable practices and foster innovation, as well as collaboration between these two fields.
The day began with a panel dedicated to sustainable practices in the marble industry, moderated by Dr. Mariana Oller, PhD in Information and Communication Management in Organisations, in which distinguished speakers such as Dr. Anselmo Carretero Gómez, PhD in Information and Communication Management in Organisations, and Dr. Mariana Oller, PhD in Information and Communication Management in Organisations, took part. Anselmo Carretero Gómez from the University of Almería, Jesús Posadas Chinchilla, President of the Andalusian Association of Marble Entrepreneurs (AEMA), and Emilia Cruz Lorente, Sustainability Director of Cosentino, shared advanced techniques and technologies that are promoting sustainability in this sector. These experts were joined by Francisco Martínez Cruz from Cuellar Stone and Francisco Martos Muñoz from the Escuela del Mármol de Fines, who contributed their experience and knowledge in the field.
The second panel of the seminar, moderated by Dr. Antonio Martos Pedrero, PhD in Human and Social Sciences, focused on innovation in the agri-food sector. Leaders such as Dr. Emilio Galdeano Gómez, professor at the University of Almería, Juan Colomina Figueredo from COEXPHAL, Cecilio Peregrín from Primaflor and Francisco S. Belmonte Méndez, president of Biosabor, discussed the impact of technology on sustainable agriculture and food production, and Dr. Francisco Joaquín Cortés García completed the panel with his perspectives on sustainable development and finance.
One of the highlights of the seminar was the panel discussion on successful Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, moderated by Santiago Alfonso Rodríguez, Vice President of Communication and Corporate Reputation of the Cosentino Group. This forum allowed for an enriching dialogue on how policies and regulations can support and promote sustainability and innovation in the workplace. Representatives from both sectors shared success stories and mutual learning, underlining the importance of cross-sector collaboration.