CTICH

About CTICH

CTICH is the Mushroom Research and Technology Center of La Rioja, founded in 2003 and managed for the sector by the professional association of substrate and mushroom producers in La Rioja, Navarra, and Aragón. It was created to give the cultivated mushroom sector a dedicated hub for research, technical development, training, and modernization.

The center serves mushroom and substrate producers with practical R&D, analytical services, and training. Its work is focused on improving production quality, competitiveness, and process efficiency across the mushroom value chain, from substrate preparation and cultivation to post-harvest quality and the study of health-related properties of mushrooms.

Core Values

• Innovation: CTICH emphasizes applied research and the adoption of advanced technologies to keep mushroom cultivation competitive. Its work includes NIR methods, DNA analysis, metagenomics, and pilot-scale cultivation systems.
• Quality and standardization: A central goal is to improve production quality through homogeneous, standardized analytical follow-up of raw materials and substrates. The center positions its services as a way to shorten analysis times and improve control.
• Sector development: CTICH is oriented toward strengthening the cultivated mushroom sector through training, knowledge transfer, and modernization. It aims to support both technical staff and growers with practical, usable solutions.
• Sustainability: The center gives strong attention to circular economy, residue management, and reduced environmental impact. Several projects focus on valorizing spent mushroom substrate and reducing emissions and waste.

Unique Aspects

• Dedicated mushroom-sector center: CTICH is a specialized technology center focused specifically on cultivated mushrooms and mushroom substrates, rather than a general food or agricultural institute.
• Broad pilot infrastructure: It has facilities covering the full process chain, including seed/mycelium labs, pilot composting, controlled cultivation rooms, and a mushroom-exotics pilot plant.
• Recognized efficacy testing: CTICH holds official recognition for phytosanitary efficacy trials, allowing it to evaluate crop-protection products under real conditions.
• Strong project portfolio: The center has participated in major collaborative projects such as BIOSCHAMP, CHAMPIHEALTH, SMARTMUSHROOM, MUSHWOOD, and QUITIMUSH, showing a strong role in sector innovation and circular-economy solutions.
• Regional sector backing: The center was built by the Government of La Rioja and its management was ceded to the sector association, linking public support with industry governance.