On April 9, the Centre Cultural Casa Elizalde in Barcelona hosted the presentation of the III Libro Blanco de las Nanotecnologías (Third White Book on Nanotechnologies), a collective work promoted by the Spanish Network for Safe and Sustainable Nanotechnologies (SNSSN), bringing together contributions from more than 80 experts from academia and the scientific community, representing the 13 centres that are part of the network.

The event featured a series of presentations on the network and the book’s contents, including opening talks by CSIC Prof. Pablo Ordejón and Guillem Aromí, directors of ICN2 and IN2UB, respectively, who are also authors of the book’s forewords. This was followed by two roundtable discussions:

- The first, titled “Advances in Nanotechnology and Sustainability”, brought together several researchers and contributing authors, including Gemma Rius (IMB-CNM, CSIC), Víctor Puntes (ICN2 / VHIR), Xavier Obradors (ICMAB), and M. José Esplandiu (ICN2), to discuss the role of nanotechnology in the energy transition, as well as in health and environmental protection.

- The second roundtable, “Nanotechnology and Sustainability in Public Policy”, included participants from public institutions, featuring Núria Benítez (CERCA), Teresa Sanchis (Department of Research and Universities, Catalan Government), and Oriol Recasens (Barcelona City Council), focusing on how these technologies can be integrated into policymaking. The discussion also addressed strategies to bring science closer to society.

A roadmap towards a more sustainable future

Providing detailed insights into how nanoscience could contribute to a more sustainable future, the Libro Blanco de las Nanotecnologías (III) addresses key challenges in energy, the environment and health. The report also aims to bridge the gap between the scientific community and society by providing recommendations to support informed decision-making and evidence-based policy development.

Through its participation, ICN2 reaffirms its commitment to advancing safe, responsible nanotechnology aligned with global sustainability goals.

Download the book for free here.