ROUND GRIP è un percorso strutturato che mira a trasformare il panorama delle tecnologie green e delle industrie sostenibili. Fin dal suo avvio, l’obiettivo è stato quello di creare connessioni, diffondere conoscenza e sostenere le soluzioni più innovative nel campo della sostenibilità ambientale. Il progetto si articola in un ciclo di eventi di divulgazione scientifica che trae origine dalla ricerca di GRIP - GReen processes for Industrial Productions, flagship project dello Spoke 2 - Green Technologies and Sustainable Industries. Non a caso, le tappe previste sono otto (dieci, contando anche le due plenarie di avvio dei lavori e quella finale), così come otto sono i Moduli di Ricerca (RM) che compongono il progetto GRIP.   Scopri GRIP Ad oggi, dopo nove tappe già realizzate, il percorso ROUND GRIP si è confermato un successo straordinario. Ogni appuntamento ha rappresentato un’occasione preziosa per imprese, ricercatori e stakeholder di incontrarsi, condividere idee e contribuire alla crescita di un ecosistema di innovazione collaborativa. Ora, con la decima tappa, il cerchio si chiude, segnando il compimento di un percorso di confronto e crescita condivisa.  

Yesterday, the Students Challenges NODES Spoke 6: an opportunity for local micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) took place, including the awards event for the winners of the 2025 Students Challenges, and the presentation of the Students Challenges promoted by the University of Pavia in the “beyond-NODES” phase.   During the event held on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in the Aula Disegno at the University of Pavia, it was announced that the 2026 Students Challenges call for Spoke 6 will be published by the end of the year. It will be aimed at proponents operating in Business to Consumer (B2C), with no more geographical restrictions (micro–small–medium enterprises and other entities), and it will continue to involve students from the University of Pavia’s Advanced Digital Marketing course in developing digital marketing plans for participating companies. The goal is to improve brand awareness and engagement, focusing on competitiveness at both national and international levels.   The finalists and winners of the 2025 edition were then awarded. Between March and June 2025, more than 100 students from the University of Pavia’s Advanced Digital Marketing course, taught by Dr. Elisa Conz, worked in groups of three on tailored solutions to the challenges proposed by the three companies—Bonizzoni, Frigerio and Il Sabbione—selected by the 2025 call.   Here are the names of the finalists and winners of the 2025 proposed challenges:   Marketing Challenge Az. Agr. Bonizzoni FINALISTS Valentina Patriarca – Tommaso Salvini – Sonia Manca Gabriele Puppin – Gioele Siddi – Antonino Mazzola WINNERS Daniele Ronzoni – Gioia Colella – Margherita Ghezzi   Marketing Challenge Az. Agr. Frigerio FINALISTS Simone Amico – Martina Bulzomi – Simona Galeno Nicla Centorame – Alessia Lobrano – Vera Silvestro Delpueyo WINNERS Valentina Dallabrida – Sara Occoferri – Emanuele Menghini   Marketing Challenge Il Sabbione FINALISTS Nicolò De Ruvo – Leonardo Brigo – Matteo Gibertoni Claudia Parisi – Gaia Tradi – Noemi Basile WINNERS Giulia Rubini – Alessia Aiachini – Camilla Roccatagliati

The Piedmont Region has approved “MATCHIN,” a measure that allocates €5 million from the 2021–2027 ERDF Programme to encourage the integration of highly qualified researchers into small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Piedmont. The goal is clear: to strengthen the region’s research, development, and innovation capacity by building a stable bridge between the world of public research and private enterprise. The call for proposals, which will be published by the end of 2025, includes two lines of intervention: Grants for the direct hiring of researchers by SMEs with an operational or production site in Piedmont. Support for the temporary collaboration of personnel from universities and research organizations.   Through this dual approach, MATCHIN aims to foster the circulation of skills and knowledge between universities and businesses, while supporting new opportunities for professional growth for researchers and applied innovation processes for companies.

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.