Our hystory

The kick-off of the group occurred the November 1st, 1976 with the transfer of Prof Trifirò from the University of Calabria, that gave rise to a significant shift of didactic and research activities towards updated subjects of industrial interest. This favored the development of new and relevant collaborations with national and international Companies, with the opportunity to operate inside subjects of relevant interest. Furthermore, to improve the numerical consistence of the group, formerly named “Catalytic Process Development”, it was decided to reserve a part of each contract for a grant for a junior researcher. This led to an improved level of collaboration with the Companies and favored job possibilities for young graduates.

However, the base research was also pushed, with collaborations and exchanges between the group and many international Universities and Academies (Lyon, Prague, Madrid, Sofia, among the others). All these activities were fruitful with international recognitions, patents and publications on top level journals; as examples illustrative, but not exhaustive, we may cited the development of the process for the synthesis of maleic anhydride in collaboration with Polynt Spa, the paper on hydrotalcite-type anionic clays (Catalysis Today 11 (1991) 173-301, with more than 5000 citations, one of the most cited papers of the journal). During the years, the Bologna group took part to many EU international projects and Concerted Action, always with excellent results (Joule, Copenricus, Brite Euram, Concorde, CEA-PLS, VII and VIII Program, etc. ) and appreciations.

Surprisingly, notwithstanding the catalysis group was widely recognize as a top level research center for the R&D of new catalytic processes, covering relevant position in the Steering Committee of the Division of Industrial Chemistry and Interdivisional Group of Catalysis of the Italian Chemical Society, it was only in the 1996 year that the Faculty of Industrial Chemistry of Bologna introduced a Course on Catalysis Chemistry and Technology, with a relevant delay in comparison to other Italian Universities. The Course had some didactic changes and reorganization in these years, always remaining between most selected by the students.

The group contributed significantly to the success of the Departments (before) of Industrial Chemistry and Materials and (now) Industrial Chemistry “Toso Montanari”, covering relevant institutional positions such as Dean and Department Director, with further important contributions to the activity of the University of Bologna. Many important recognitions (doctor and professor, Federchimica Prize, etc), Plates and Medals have been attributed to its members. Last but not least, very long and rich is the list of national and international Companies that collaborate with the Care In Process group of Bologna. Also in this case an illustrative, but not exhaustive list may be composed by POLYNT, ENI, DSM, VERSALIS, AIR LIQUIDE, ENDURA; RADICI CHIMICA, IFF; etc.

Since twenty years the group moved to the valorization of renewable sources such as lignocellulosic biomass, fats and vegetable oil toward the production of green chemicals and sustainable fuels and the conversion of CO2 not only via the more traditional thermochemical processes but also via photo and electrochemical transformations.

The wide experience of the group in the field of catalysis, develop of innovative materials and processes as well as collaboration with industrial partners provides high versatility coupled with pragmatism placing it in a pivotal position to face the actual challenges of our times.