Messer Ibérica rewards 14 years promoting chemical talent in Tarragona

A room full of energy and nerves, the Degree Hall of the ETSEQ at the Sescelades Campus, where second-year students have defended their projects before a demanding jury. Messer Ibérica and URV have celebrated the 14th edition of the Messer Awards, an event that not only rewards talent but also focuses on the future of the chemical industry in the province of Tarragona.

With nearly a hundred participating students divided into 11 teams, this year's edition has once again proven that the chemical sector in Tarragona has a lot to say thanks to the innovation and creativity of future generations.

The strength of the winning teams and their connection to the industry

The teams that made a difference

The award for Chemical Engineering (GEQ) went to a team of nine students who combined effort and knowledge: Héctor Diestre, Berta Baldomà, Javi Barón, Jordi Bosch, Alejandro Codoñer, Imane Choukri, Daia Navarro, Jaime San Miguel, and Enrique Joaquim Teixeira. Meanwhile, the winning group for Food Bioprocess Engineering (GEBA) is made up of Mireia Viera, Josep Coll, Arnau Mariné, and Joan Pol Barrera.

An experience that goes beyond the prize

In addition to recognition, these students will be able to visit the Messer facilities in Vila-seca, one of the pillars of the local chemical industry. They will also have the opportunity to participate in a networking session with industry professionals, a window that connects the academic world with the professional one, which is precisely what they need to start putting their feet on the ground.

The educational model that fuels Tarragona’s chemical industry

Real and practical learning at ETSEQ

The deputy director of ETSEQ, Manel Vallès, highlighted that the Messer Awards reflect the educational philosophy of the center, which bets on project-based learning and teamwork. Thus, students not only learn theory but work in environments that simulate the professional reality of the chemical industry.

URV as a cradle of local talent

Josep Pallarès, rector of URV, emphasized that this initiative facilitates the transition from study to real work. It is not easy to go from the classroom to the industry, but these awards give a boost that many await. Meanwhile, the Communication manager of the Tarragona Chemical Business Association, Roca Pujol, recalled that collaboration between university and business is essential to maintaining competitiveness and innovation in the chemical sector of the province.

The chemical industry of Tarragona, in search of new talent

Messer Ibérica and the commitment to the territory

Ernesto Rodríguez, technical director of Messer Ibérica, reiterated gratitude to URV and ETSEQ for the quality of the projects. He stated that the chemical industry in Tarragona is undergoing renewal and needs highly qualified professionals to face future challenges. Local talent is the key to achieving the most ambitious goals.

A bond that endures and grows

The Messer Awards are more than an annual prize: they are a platform that connects students with industry, an opportunity to demonstrate skills, and an open window for a sector that never stops evolving. If you are from Tarragona and passionate about chemistry, this is the moment to prove it.

The awarded projects are not only a recognition but a firm step toward consolidating a strong, innovative, and well-prepared chemical industry in the province of Tarragona.

Source of the article: Rovira i Virgili University