INESC TEC joins project to accelerate the digital and green transition of the footwear sector

INESC TEC aims to apply expertise to accelerate the digital and green transition of Portugal’s footwear sector. How? Thanks to the STEP2Digital project, which seeks to help companies adopt advanced digital technologies, build skills and improve the sustainability of production systems.

This is not the first time INESC TEC has worked closely with the footwear sector: the first research projects in this sector started in the 1990s, focusing on developing flexible logistics systems for the industry. More than 30 years later, the sector still has ground to cover, particularly in efficiency and sustainability. “The project, developed in partnership with CTCP and APICCAPS, aims to address the current challenges of the cluster by promoting a structured, data-driven transformation with real impact,” explained Rui Rebelo, a researcher at INESC TEC.

The project starts with an in-depth diagnosis of the footwear value chain, through a study of the sector’s digital and environmental maturity. This initial phase will identify gaps, opportunities and priority areas for action. It will also support the definition of the training and technology testing activities that follow. Although STEP2Digital does not aim to develop new technologies, it focuses on speeding up technology adoption by small and medium-sized enterprises in the sector.

The project includes a programme of roadshows, workshops, thematic sessions and technology demonstrations, focusing on practical and immersive at iiLab, INESC TEC’s industry and innovation laboratory dedicated to experimentation in near-real conditions. “At iiLab, companies will have direct contact with advanced digital technologies applied to industry. They will take part in hands-on sessions in areas like production system simulation and digital twins, IoT for real-time data collection, eco-efficient production planning, automation and mobile robotics, internal logistics, as well as human–machine interfaces and augmented reality focused on more efficient and sustainable processes,” said Rui Rebelo.

The main innovation of STEP2Digital lies in the integrated approach; the project combines digital and green maturity assessment, advanced technical training and real-world demonstration – using iiLab as a space to test, validate and transfer technology to companies. Moreover, the project promotes the use of emerging technologies like digital twins, IoT for energy efficiency, robotics, augmented reality and AI, all applied to concrete challenges in the footwear sector.

One of the project’s key outcomes will be the creation of a strategic roadmap and a toolkit with strong potential for replication across the sector. “STEP2Digital strengthens INESC TEC’s work in applied research and real-world demonstration. It also reinforces iiLab as a privileged space to test, validate and accelerate the adoption of technological solutions. The project also aims to leave a legacy by promoting the creation of an active community of companies and sector stakeholders, capable of sustaining the digital and green evolution of the Portuguese footwear industry,” concluded the researcher.

The researcher mentioned in this news piece is associated with INESC TEC