As part of the European SHOEPRO project, the Footwear Technology Center of Portugal (CTCP) recently welcomed Croatian stakeholders for a series of workshops aimed at driving innovation and collaboration in the footwear sector. This initiative, co-funded by the European Union, brought together key players from both Portugal and Croatia, including companies, associations, and academic institutions, to support the digital and green transformation of the industry.The Croatian delegation included representatives from Ivan?ica d.d., Borovo d.d., Kostelar d.o.o., HUP – Croatian Employers' Association, and UNIZG – Sveu?ilište u Zagrebu (University of Zagreb).

The Croatian delegation included representatives from Ivan?ica d.d., Borovo d.d., Kostelar d.o.o., HUP – Croatian Employers' Association, and UNIZG – Sveu?ilište u Zagrebu (University of Zagreb).

The workshops addressed critical topics such as sustainable materials, rapid prototyping, process automation, digital technologies, green and sustainable production processes, 3D printing, customized approaches, sustainability, ESG practices, and digital design. These sessions provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and practical engagement, strengthening connections between stakeholders and advancing the project’s objectives.

As part of the program, the Croatian stakeholders visited several prominent companies in the Portuguese Footwear cluster, including Armipex, TECO, Sifac, Dias Ruivo, and Mind S.A. These technical visits offered participants firsthand insights into cutting-edge technologies and innovative practices already shaping the future of the sector.