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NODES Spoke 2 highlights calls and tools supporting the green transition and circular economy NODES Spoke 2 - Green Technologies & Sustainable Industries monitors and highlights funding opportunities, public notices, and support tools aimed at businesses, Third Sector entities, and innovation ecosystem stakeholders interested in developing projects with high environmental, urban, and industrial impact. This section was created to serve as a point of reference for those operating in the sectors of ecological transition, circular economy, industrial symbiosis, and sustainable design, in line with the research and innovation trajectories promoted by Spoke 2. Below are the currently open opportunities

On November 15, during Restructura 2025, the results of innovative experimentation dedicated to the production of circular mortars and plasters were presented to the public. The research was carried out within the GRIP Flagship Project of Spoke 2, in the area of Research & Innovation in Construction.   The presentation took place during IMPERFETTO, the event promoted by CNA Torino and dedicated to rethinking the construction sector in a responsible, innovative, and circular perspective. In this context, the research group of Research Module 1 (RM1)  illustrated an experimental pathway that integrates scientific and craft expertise to develop new materials with a reduced environmental impact. An interdisciplinary and local collaboration The meeting was attended by: Giovanna Dino, Francesca Gambino and Susanna Mancini from the Department of Earth Sciences - Università di Torino Elio Padoan from DISAFA - Università di Torino The joint presence of the various UniTo Departments involved in the project - Earth Sciences, DISAFA, Management and Chemistry - together with partners Athena Art - Master Craftsman Nino Longhitano, FSC Torino and CNA Torino, confirms the strength of the interdisciplinary collaboration promoted by the researchers of Spoke 2.   A new agreement to strengthen the collaboration The working group has also recently signed a new collaboration agreement with the aim of further strengthening the dialogue between research, industry and training. The agreement aims to integrate scientific and craft-based approaches to accelerate the development of circular materials ready for application in the construction sector.   From experimentation to construction sites: innovation that generates impact This activity represents a concrete example of how NODES continues (and will continue) to promote the transferability of research results, contributing to the spread of sustainable and circular solutions in the construction sector.

ROUND GRIP is a structured initiative designed to transform the landscape of green technologies and sustainable industries. Since its launch, its goal has been to build connections, share knowledge, and support the most innovative solutions in the field of environmental sustainability. The project consists of a series of scientific outreach events inspired by the research activities of GRIP - GReen Processes for Industrial Productions, the flagship project of Spoke 2 – Green Technologies and Sustainable Industries. Appropriately, the program includes eight stops (ten, counting the two opening plenary sessions and the final one), mirroring the eight Research Modules (RMs) that make up the GRIP project.   Discover GRIP To date, after nine successful stages, ROUND GRIP has proven to be an extraordinary success. Each event has provided a valuable opportunity for companies, researchers, and stakeholders to meet, exchange ideas, and contribute to the growth of a collaborative innovation ecosystem. Now, with the tenth stage, the circle closes, marking the completion of a journey of dialogue, exchange, and shared growth.

From 5 to 8 November 2025, Research Module 6 of GRIP, part of Spoke 2 - Green Technologies & Sustainable Industries of NODES, will participate in the latest edition of Ecomondo, Europe's leading trade fair dedicated to ecological transition and the circular economy, hosted as always at the Rimini Exhibition Centre.   Industrial Symbiosis: a survey to understand and improve practices in the area The focus of the presentation by Spoke 2 researcher Giulia Lippi was Research Module 6 - Industrial Symbiosis, which presented the study ‘Survey on the practices and perceptions of industrial symbiosis in the regions of North-West Italy’, carried out by Giulia Lippi (Università di Torino) together with Matteo Scacchi, Ila Stefania Maltese, Elena Maggi and Enrica Vesce (Università degli Studi dell’Insubria and Università di Torino). The research analysed a sample of companies in the NODES territory to understand how much and how industrial symbiosis is already being applied, identifying strengths, obstacles and policy opportunities. Some key findings: 72% of the companies surveyed adopt circular economy strategies; however, 66% of companies in the waste sector do not yet consider industrial symbiosis a viable option; the main enabling factors include economic incentives, convenience, reputation and territorial collaboration; the main obstacles include high technology costs, regulatory uncertainties and logistical difficulties.   From Research to Policy The study highlights the need for clearer and more targeted support policies, including: incentives for the purchase of innovative technologies and to promote symbiotic markets; regulatory simplification regarding End-of-Waste; promotion of local symbiotic practices based on the specific characteristics of the territory.   A step towards sustainability With this participation, Spoke 2 confirms its commitment to promoting the transfer of knowledge and technology from the world of research to businesses, promoting increasingly sustainable and circular production models. Ecomondo 2025 proved to be a showcase for innovation and networking, but also an opportunity to strengthen the role of Spoke 2 as a driver of change for a more digital and sustainable North-West.  

On Wednesday, 24 September 2025, the Kyoto Room at Environment Park (Turin) hosted SPoClight2 – Ideas in Transition, the IFIB 2025 side event organised by Spoke 2 of NODES – Nord Ovest Digitale e Sostenibile, thanks to close collaboration between Proplast, Environment Park and the University of Turin.   The event represented a new opportunity for discussion between research and industry, with the aim of promoting the results of the Proof of Concept (PoC) developed within Spoke 2 in the fields of green technologies, bioeconomy and sustainable industry.   The afternoon was divided into several key moments: Pitch of Line A projects, in which beneficiaries outlined objectives, results achieved and impacts generated. A thematic round table discussion, which provided an opportunity to share experiences and perspectives on the evolution of sustainable technologies. Presentation of Line B services and overall results of Spoke 2, highlighting the value of technology transfer and opportunities for internationalisation.   The day ended with a networking session, an informal opportunity that encouraged dialogue between businesses, researchers and innovation stakeholders.   With the SPoClight2 event, Spoke 2 reaffirmed its commitment to transforming research into concrete solutions for industry and the local area, charting new paths towards a more sustainable and connected future.

💧 A morning of discussion on innovation and water sustainability The ninth stop of the Round GRIP – Spoke 2 cycle, dedicated to the theme ‘Valuable water: hidden treasures in wastewater’, took place online on Wednesday 16 July 2025, involving over 30 participants, including researchers, companies and professionals interested in solutions for the treatment and sustainable use of wastewater. The meeting provided an overview of Research Module 4 (RM4) of the GRIP project, coordinated by researchers at the University of Pavia, which explores innovative technologies for recovering value from industrial and civil wastewater, with a particular focus on the dairy sector.   🔬 A programme rich in scientific content and practical applications After the introduction to Spoke 2 – Green Technologies and Sustainable Industries, the floor was given to the protagonists of the research: Marco Minella presented the International School on Water Reuse, emphasising the importance of interdisciplinary training in circular water resource management.   Daniele Dondi outlined the scope and objectives of Research Module 4, providing an overview of the activities currently underway.   Stefano Marchesi demonstrated the use of silica-based materials for removing organic pollutants and heavy metals from water.   Lorenzo Pasotti recounted the experience of a biorefinery for the valorisation of dairy waste, opening up new industrial prospects.   Alberta Pinnola closed the scientific panel with a presentation on microalgae as a tool for the treatment and sustainable valorisation of dairy waste.   🌍 One more step towards a circular water economy The ninth stop confirmed the strategic role of Spoke 2 in connecting scientific expertise, industrial know-how and sustainable vision, opening up new avenues for the exploitation of wastewater as a valuable resource rather than simply waste.   📌 Find out more about the GRIP project, previous stages and the final stage of the Round GRIP – Spoke 2 cycle in the dedicated section of the website.

The afternoon of Monday, 30 June 2025 saw the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Eastern Piedmont play host to the eighth stop of Round GRIP - Spoke 2, the cycle of meetings dedicated to the exchange between research, innovation and enterprise promoted as part of the NODES Ecosystem. 📍 The focus of the event was the Research Module 2 (RM2) of the GRIP project, dedicated to innovative solutions for waste-to-energy and upcycling processes: a concrete opportunity to learn more about sustainable practices and frontier experiences. After the institutional greetings, participants were treated to a series of speeches dedicated to the NODES Ecosystem, the role of Spoke 2 and the specific challenges faced by the RM2, including industrial context, critical issues and technological opportunities. 💬 The voice of business took centre stage in the second part of the afternoon: through thematic working tables, companies and researchers discussed experiences, needs and potential areas of collaboration.   The day ended with a moment of restitution and networking, confirming Round GRIP's mission: to build solid and lasting connections between the world of research and the entrepreneurial fabric, in a sustainable and territorial key.   🔄 Next stop? Coming soon! The Round GRIP journey continues, with the aim of enhancing local expertise and strengthening the synergy between innovation and sustainability. 🚀

On May 27 and 28, 2025, Spoke 2 – Green Technologies and Sustainable Industry participated in the NODES’ Tech Sharing Days at the Politecnico di Torino with 14 academic PoCs (Proofs of Concept), placing the skills, ideas, and results developed in the laboratories of the University and its partners at the center of the event. The Spoke 2 PoCs - FSM2C, GREEN.VAL., ISS, MATERIALIZED, SPONDE, WAKEUP, T2T, Biocare, BioReMediA, DST-SRM, PFS, REDiRECt-Gd, REFINEMENT, ROSEWATER - had the opportunity to present themselves through various formats: posters, promotional materials, outdoor booths, and particularly through a series of three-minute pitches. During these, the teams illustrated their projects in a direct and dynamic way to an audience composed of stakeholders, companies, investors, and innovation operators.   Representing the Università degli Studi di Torino, the lead institution of Spoke 2, Cristina Prandi, Scientific Coordinator of the Spoke, spoke during the roundtable titled “Innovation and technology transfer: NODES and Academic Research as a business driver.” She was joined by Giuliana Mattiazzo (Politecnico di Torino), Andrea Vezzulli (Università degli Studi dell'Insubria), Marco Alderighi (Università della Valle d'Aosta), Marco Invernizzi (Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale), Hermes Giberti (Università degli Studi di Pavia) and Andrea Pieroni (Università di Scienze Gastronomiche). In the first part of the meeting - “The universities' point of view: cooperation, applied research, regional impact” - they illustrated the strategic role of university research in generating high-impact solutions for the production fabric of the Northwest. Spoke 2's participation in the NODES’ Tech Sharing Days demonstrated how collaboration between academia and industry, when well-structured, can concretely accelerate technology transfer and the development of sustainable innovations.   🔎 To discover more about Spoke 2’s PoCs, visit the dedicated page Find out more

NODES Spoke 2 participates in the BioeCO2nomy event with its researchers and the GRIP project On Thursday 22 May 2025, on the occasion of the National Bioeconomy Day, Spoke 2 of NODES - Green technologies and sustainable industries will be among the protagonists of the event ‘The BioeCO2nomy: Opportunities and challenges in CO₂ reduction, capture and reuse’, organised at the Environment Park Conference Centre in Turin. Promoted by the CLEVER Cluster, the initiative is part of the national calendar of events organised by Cluster SPRING and Assobiotec-Federchimica, with the aim of exploring the opportunities offered by the circular bioeconomy and the new frontiers of decarbonisation.   Spoke 2's GRIP research is told Spoke 2 will be present thanks to the contribution of two researchers involved in the GRIP programme activities: Silvia Fraterrigo Garofalo and Samir Bensaid from the Politecnico di Torino. The researcher will present the project during the morning session devoted to advanced technologies for CO₂ enhancement, illustrating innovative solutions developed within the framework of the applied research pathway promoted by NODES. “La BioeCO2nomy” rappresenta un’occasione preziosa di confronto tra imprese, centri di ricerca e stakeholder del territorio, con momenti di networking, incontri B2B e visite ai laboratori di Environment Park. Una vetrina importante anche per valorizzare il ruolo strategico delle tecnologie CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage) e la capacità del sistema dell’innovazione di rispondere concretamente alle sfide della transizione ecologica. ‘BioeCO2nomy’ represents a valuable opportunity for companies, research centres and local stakeholders to meet, with networking opportunities, B2B meetings and visits to Environment Park laboratories. It is also an important showcase for highlighting the strategic role of CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage) technologies and the ability of the innovation system to respond concretely to the challenges of the ecological transition.   Find out more and subscribe

Spoke 2 NODES research comes to Rai 1 On Saturday 17 May, Linea Verde - Rai 1's historic programme dedicated to territories and sustainable innovation - will air a special report dedicated to a frontier project that combines mineral waste recovery, sustainable building and traditional craftsmanship.

Plant Flow Solutions (PFS), a new entrepreneurial reality was born from a Proof of Concept developed within Spoke 2 of NODES - Green Technologies and Sustainable Industries, under the guidance of Prof. Claudio Lovisolo (DISAFA, Università di Torino).   The project was also able to continue its development thanks to the collaboration with the 2i3T incubator, moving from academic research to market innovation. The spin-off proposes a platform capable of automatically and continuously monitoring gas exchange between plant and atmosphere (CO₂ and H₂O), with an unprecedented level of precision and modularity. A technology designed to revolutionise the Agritech sector, but also applicable in industrial and urban contexts, up to carbon capture and air remediation from VOCs and pollutants.   Plant Flow Solutions is a virtuous example of technology transfer and sustainable innovation, perfectly in line with the objectives of NODES.   Get to know more