The Smart Factory concept is defined as a generic term for a wide network of methods and models that, making use of the latest technologies at the field, control and supervision, look for integrated production planning and continuous improvement in all material factory processes and resources associated with the product.

All these technologies, framed under the umbrella of the term Industry 4.0, represent a disruption in the manufacturing ways, in search of more competitive, efficient and sustainable digitised environments.

According to the conclusions of the Davos 2018 forum, the Fourth Industrial Revolution will bring with it high levels of automation in the world's production environments, which will inevitably, be linked to higher unemployment rates, especially in the least educated sectors of society.  In this way, and from a didactic point of view, this technological disruption cannot be limited only to technologies, but it will be the so-called "4.0 competences and skills" that will make the human factor a differential element in this new era.

Innovation, as a general concept, has as its fundamental objective the promotion of research, experimental development and personal development, as elements on which the sustainable economic development and social welfare of a country must be based. In order to promote it, the culture of innovation and risk-taking must reach all levels of the productive system and society, with special emphasis on education and training.

The link between education and innovation is inseparable within Vocational Training, especially when training based on quality and excellence is pursued in all VET institutions.

Didactic innovation is understood as the implementation of deepening and innovation processes in didactics of interest for training. As well as all those processes that involve an improvement in the organisation of the centre or in the relations with companies. This project presents a great opportunity regarding transfer of knowledge and access to 4.0 technologies that will allow highly qualified training for staff, the temporary provision of technical training equipment and stable and lasting collaboration with companies.

On the other hand, the technological innovation is understood as the innovation that involves processes of deepening and innovation in techniques and technologies. It includes the creation of new products or improvement of processes and the resolution of practical and specific problems from the reality of the company. This project is a good opportunity for the participating institution to test its products and applications.

Finally, the ecological innovation or eco-innovation allows the development of products and processes that contribute to sustainable development, applying different knowledge and strategies to generate ecological improvements directly and indirectly. This project pursues personal development towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals included in the 2030 Agenda.

In this way, the RECYCLING 2030 project is presented, where the use in the classroom of 4.0 manufacturing technologies oriented to remote maintenance will be the common thread. A work scenario based on Solid Waste Valorisation Platforms (SWRPs) will be established. SWRPs are places where maintenance activities can certainly be dangerous for humans due to the emission of gases or leachates, and remote detection and action technologies can be of great use. The scenario of a recycling plant will also allow us to gain a clear vision of the possible change of current processes towards more sustainable ones. This can stimulate students to develop more innovative and critical thinking, encouraging them to enter the labour market with new ideas that are not only innovative but also environmentally friendly.

Among the technologies that have been integrated in this project, the decentralised periphery for I/O is included by integrating the SMC EX260 valve head model. This valve head allows communicating via fieldbus, in this case with PROFINET protocol. IO-link technology is also integrated in different components in this training equipment such as sensors and indicator lights.

This project is within the framework of the development of applied innovation and knowledge transfer projects in vocational training promoted by the Spanish Ministry of Education. The centres involved in this project are the Ciudad de Béjar integrated VET centre, IES Camas-Antonio Brisquet in Camas, Institut Palau Ausit in Ripollet and IES Gonzalo de Berceo in Alfaro.