Domingos da Silva Teixeira, S.A (DST), whose activity focuses on civil construction and public works, is a subsidiary of the dstgroup, a reference group with operations in the sectors of environment, renewable energy, telecommunications, real estate and ventures, however, the area of engineering and construction is vital. From the market's recognition, its rigor and quality stand out, essential to the increase of its portfolio of contracts of recognized impact and technical complexity, evidencing its commitment to the progress of its technical and laboratory skills.

CTAC is a R&D unit of the School of Engineering of the University of Minho, recognized by FCT -Foundation for Science and Technology, dedicated to research in the area of Civil Engineering, with 32 faculty members of the Department of Civil Engineering, as well as post-doctoral members, externally funded researchers and graduate students.
The scientific organization of the CTAC includes five Research Competence Areas:
(a) Ecomaterials;
b) Sustainable Construction
c) Water Resources and Environment;
d) Transportation Systems and Infrastructures
e) Spatial Planning and Governance, each supported by specific laboratories, thus contributing to the vision of the Strategic Program for 2015-2020: "S4cities" - sustainable, smart, safe and welcoming cities.
The link between research and society is the driving force of an intervention in which citizenship plays the central role, in order to contribute to the quality of life of the whole society. Regarding the implementation of the Strategic Program for 2015-2020, CTAC adopts a strategy based on a collaborative approach for the development of multidisciplinary projects that support the Center's vision, reinforcing its activities in the development of new knowledge and innovative solutions for the built environment, infrastructures and governance for the cities of tomorrow. In this sense, the different profiles assigned to the project, considered critical to the success of the different activities, taking into account the tasks and development objectives outlined, are presented:

UTAD was born with such a statute in 1986, although the heritage gathered from the previous Polytechnic Institute of Vila Real (created in 1973) is also part of its history. Based in Vila Real, it is a high-level institution, oriented towards the creation, transmission and diffusion of culture, knowledge and science through the articulation of teaching, research and experimental development. The scientific activity is developed in its Schools and Research Centers and seeks to deepen knowledge and develop technology capable of responding to global, national or regional problems within a framework of modernity. It has assumed a relevant role in regional development, hence, in September 1979 the University Institute of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro was created and less than ten years later, in view of the universal recognition of its intense activity in the fields of teaching and scientific and technological research, the Government transformed the University Institute into a University.
Currently, UTAD is recognized as an important point of reference in the Portuguese university system.
Portuguese university system.

The CVR - Centro para Valorização de resíduos (Center for Waste Valorization) is a non-profit institution, founded in 2002, which provides research services, scientific analysis and application of real solutions in the area of waste valorization. It is located in Guimarães, integrated in the Campus of the University of Minho and has its own laboratory facilities where it develops its activities. The CVR currently has 14 permanent employees, including technicians and researchers, with training in biology, biotechnology, environmental technology, materials engineering, chemistry, biology and mechanics, in addition to external collaborations with about two dozen researchers from Portuguese Universities.