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We imagined for a long time what it would be like to be in a room full of young innovators, ready to revolutionise the way we tackle environmental challenges. Nothing, however, had prepared us for the spirit that animated the 1st edition of the Spoke 2 Green Challenge. Four multidisciplinary teams of students from the University of Turin tackled the challenge launched by Edison Next Environment: how to sustainably reuse a piece of land after heavy metal remediation.

On 21 May 2024, a delegation from Spoke 2 was a guest of the University of Sannio in Benevento, a partner from the South, in order to expand synergies and visit the research infrastructure. 

DataWaste is the innovative project realised by Dr. Silvia Fraterrigo Garofalo, researcher of the Research Module 5 of Spoke 2 - Green technologies and sustainable industry, on the occasion of Giovedì Scienza, an important science dissemination event in the Turin area. This project was created to be a concrete and integral solution to tackle the problem of food waste through the process of Industrial Symbiosis, the research theme of Spoke 2, enhancing synergies between companies and promoting a circular economy.

Spoke 2 had the pleasure of interviewing Duccio Travaglini, co-founder of Greencome, an innovative company in the field of communication and awareness-raising on climate change. Greencome has the declared aim of mobilising people and organisations to fight global warming, thus becoming an example of innovation. Through new media and dissemination content, it aims to reach a wide and transversal audience to raise awareness on environmental issues. During the talk, Travaglini emphasised that innovation is not limited to technology, but can involve multiple aspects. In this regard, he cited the example of Re4Circular, a project financed through the NODES cascade funds of the start-up Atelier Riforma, which has developed an artificial intelligence algorithm capable of addressing textile waste in a circular manner. This is an innovative solution that, acting on the end-of-life of products, can bring concrete benefits in terms of circular economy and reduced environmental impact. An emblematic case of how technology, when at the service of sustainability, can enable new environmentally friendly business models. Innovation, therefore, not only as technological development for its own sake but, as Travaglini emphasised, also as a change for the better of visions, processes and economic systems, in the perspective of a future with a lower climate impact. This is the mission of Greencome and the innovators working for a cultural and social change to support the ecological transition.

On the occasion of the first stop of Round GRIP, Full Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Turin Cristina Prandi, coordinator of Spoke 2 - Green technologies and sustainable industries, shared some of the objectives of the activities implemented by Spoke 2, completely dedicated to the development of green technologies and coordinated by the University of Turin together with its partners. « We deal with everything related to environmental sustainability and especially the development of new technologies that enable the recycling of materials in the most sustainable way possible » explained Prandi. « Spoke 2 is dimensionally large, with many partners, and we are creating an important community of dialogue between research organisations and industry. » In fact, the main operational line of Spoke's activities aims at creating strong synergies between the world of work and the world of academic research, a fundamental collaboration to accelerate the development of sustainable solutions and innovative technologies that can transform industries in the area in a green way. Speaking about the objectives of the project, Cristina Prandi expressed the hope of developing a common language between the different stakeholders. And the event on 13 March was built to meet this intention: « We have put a lot of work into this event, which is focused on content and networking. It is strategic to create a knowledge transfer chain from basic research, mainly developed in universities, to industrial research. » The first stop of Round GRIP was in fact the beginning of a long journey of meetings and exchanges with the intention of consolidating these collaborations. The event, which was held at the Environment Park in Turin, was attended by over 100 key figures from the business and research worlds of the NODES ecosystem. Creating a network of companies within the project « is fundamental: at a general level and also at the level of the country system. We are trying to find this point of dialogue with companies that allows the valorisation of excellent research done in universities with the needs of companies » Prandi added. Finding operational points of dialogue that enhance academic research in response to the needs of companies is essential for both parties.  

It is with great satisfaction that the delegation of Spoke 2 - Green Technologies and Sustainable Industry concludes its participation in the prestigious Ecomondo fair, hosted by the stand of the University of Turin. Ecomondo 2023 was a unique opportunity to network with companies in the Green world and to present the NODES - Northwest Digital And Sustainable Innovation Ecosystem. We could have talked with the more than 1,500 exhibiting brands, or the 300 buyers, or even more importantly with the delegates from the 280 nations represented... but we confess we couldn't make it ;-) Nevertheless, we walked many steps, to visit the other booths and shake hands and tell our stories of innovation, education and technologies. Spoke 2 also had a chance to get noticed thanks to the participation of Proplast, a Spoke partner innovation hub, which presented a poster during the session "Towards a national program for industrial symbiosis: perspectives and opportunities for Italy." The poster, available in the attachments, provides a detailed overview of NODES and the specific activities of Spoke 2. During the event, we had the pleasure of congratulating in person the company IRIS s.r.l., winner of the NODES Line A grant. IRIS s.r.l.'s presence at the fair not only helped strengthen the reputation of Spoke 2, but also led to a well-deserved recognition. IRIS s.r.l. was honored by the Foundation for Sustainable Development as one of the top ten companies in the field of circular water management. These kinds of tangible successes demonstrate the effectiveness of the synergies generated within this innovation ecosystem.

The course, promoted by the University of Turin and Butterfly Area and implemented as part of the NODES - Nord Ovest Digitale E Sostenibile Project and the National Agritech Centre, financed by the MUR and the European Union, aims to train business figures and consultants in cutting-edge techniques for environmental sanitisation. With a focus on sustainable technologies, the course aims to promote the reduction of environmental impact through the conscious use of conventional sanitation and the introduction of new technologies to optimise sanitisation practices, in order to reduce the risk of residues in the environment and contamination of foodstuffs in the agro-food chain.

Spoke 2 - Green technologies and sustainable industries and the University of Turin present the first edition of the Students' Green Challenge, in collaboration with Edison.  Registration is open until 29 April 2024, subject to availability of 30 places.   SUBSCRIBE     Who is it addressed to? Students on master's or single-cycle degree courses at the University of Turin.   Edison and the sustainable re-use of reclaimed land and resolution of regulatory and management issues Edison is Europe's oldest energy company and among the leading energy companies in Italy and Europe. The Edison Group offers solutions and advanced technologies to its residential, industrial and public administration customers to optimise energy consumption and gradually reduce their carbon footprint, accompanying them in the transition towards greater environmental, social and economic sustainability. Edison, through its Edison Next Environment company, therefore works to support companies in understanding their impact on the territory and to manage in a ‘circular’ manner materials no longer used. This takes place in 3 areas of intervention: Environmental Services, Waste Management and Valorization, Biomethane. In the area of Environmental Services, thanks to NODES, the Company has chosen to launch a Challenge to UniTo's students in order to collaborate in solving related regulatory and management issues. Specifically, they are asked to highlight and find possible solutions for the following (compatibly with current legislation and possible access to PNRR incentives): the sustainable re-use of reclaimed land; the future uses of reclaimed sites. At the Challenge launch event on 9 May 2024, the Challenge will be explained to participants in detail by company representatives.   Application Instructions individual and/or pre-composed teams of minimum 3 - maximum 5 participants, preferably multidisciplinary. all team members must still register on the form, under penalty of exclusion from the initiative, specifying the name of their team in the ‘Note’ section Attendance at all activities and production of a final pitch to present to the company required. Why participate? In addition to putting their skills to the test, the students will be able to work closely with experts in the field and actively contribute to our country's energy transition. In addition to academic recognition, through the award of an Open Badge, the winning team will have the opportunity to see their idea become reality, with the direct support of Edison. By the end of June 2024, the winners will benefit from: a visit to the laboratories; opportunity to meet company managers with lunch provided on the premises; opportunity to access a talent acquisition session aimed at future job opportunities. How does it work? Kick-off event on 9 May 2024 Sala Principi D’Acaja - Palazzo del Rettorato, University of Turin Morning: presentation of the initiative and the actors involved Afternoon: team matchmaking and first work session   Mentoring speed-date event on 16 May 2024 Place: Aula 3D1 36 - 3rd floor - Campus Luigi Einaudi, University of Turin Afternoon: During the event, teams will benefit from the presence of mentors' operational tables to ask for support and opinions on the idea, pitch and innovative proposal. Final pitching and award ceremony event on 23 May 2024 Place: OGR Torino Afternoon: all teams will present their solution with a pitch to an evaluation committee composed of representatives of the organising bodies with a final award ceremony. More details and information on the programme of events will be provided in the coming days.

Spoke 2 - Green Technologies and Sustainable Industries participated last 24 November from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the workshop dedicated to the integration of Artificial Intelligence for the digital and sustainable transition of companies. The event took place in Settimo Torinese (TO) and was reserved for a consortium of companies from the local entrepreneurial network.   During the workshop, Dr. Guarriello and Dr. Baraldi - C&D of Spoke 2 - presented the NODES Innovation Ecosystem with a specific focus on the initiatives of their Spoke. In addition, they illustrated some of the interesting opportunities offered by the courses in the LLI training catalogue.

It is with great satisfaction that the delegation of Spoke 2 - Green Technologies and Sustainable Industry concludes its participation in the prestigious Ecomondo fair, hosted by the stand of the University of Turin. Ecomondo 2023 was a unique opportunity to network with companies in the Green world and to present the NODES - Northwest Digital And Sustainable Innovation Ecosystem. We could have talked with the more than 1,500 exhibiting brands, or the 300 buyers, or even more importantly with the delegates from the 280 nations represented... but we confess we couldn't make it ;-) Nevertheless, we walked many steps, to visit the other booths and shake hands and tell our stories of innovation, education and technologies. Spoke 2 also had a chance to get noticed thanks to the participation of Proplast, a Spoke partner innovation hub, which presented a poster during the session "Towards a national program for industrial symbiosis: perspectives and opportunities for Italy." The poster, available in the attachments, provides a detailed overview of NODES and the specific activities of Spoke 2. During the event, we had the pleasure of congratulating in person the company IRIS s.r.l., winner of the NODES Line A grant. IRIS s.r.l.'s presence at the fair not only helped strengthen the reputation of Spoke 2, but also led to a well-deserved recognition. IRIS s.r.l. was honored by the Foundation for Sustainable Development as one of the top ten companies in the field of circular water management. These kinds of tangible successes demonstrate the effectiveness of the synergies generated within this innovation ecosystem.

From Nov. 7-10, Rimini will host the 26th edition of Ecomondo, one of Europe's most important trade fairs on the ecological transition. This event brings together companies and institutions engaged in various spheres of sustainability, including water management, waste treatment, bioenergy, soil conservation, circular economy and more. Spoke 2 - Green technologies and sustainable industry will be an integral part of this event and will have a space within the University of Turin's booth 305 at the South Area. This space will serve as a showcase for Spoke 2's research and innovations, with the aim of fostering networking among participants and visitors and promoting the activities and themes of the Spoke and the NODES - Digital and Sustainable Northwest project.