Circular Value Chains

The EcoSister project, Ecosystem for Innovation Emilia-Romagna, aims to promote sustainable transition and circular economy within the strategic production sectors of Emilia-Romagna. The project involves universities, companies, and regional institutions, creating a collaborative network focused on the dissemination of best practices and the identification of opportunities for more efficient resource management. EcoSister thus represents a concrete contribution to the development of an innovative and sustainable industrial ecosystem in Emilia-Romagna.
In line with the European Circular Economy Action Plan, the study analyzed innovative circular practices across the electronics and ICT, batteries and vehicles, packaging, plastics, textiles, construction, food, water, and nutrients value chains. Through the systematic collection of data from over 50,000 regional companies and the use of advanced sustainability metrics, the project assesses the effectiveness of adopted circular strategies, fostering a regenerative and low-impact economic model.

The CROSS-LIFE project will play an innovative role in the field of by-products from urban and industrial wastewater treatment by converting carbon atoms into a specific drop-in chemical (crotonic acid) without consuming new resources, while simultaneously reducing the volume of sewage sludge requiring end-of-life management. Currently derived entirely from fossil sources, crotonic acid is used in coatings, paints, textiles, adhesives, ceramics, and the agrochemical sector.
Project partners include Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, B-Plas sbrl, Unigrà srl, Aqa srl, University of Pavia, Hera Ambiente, and Vinavil spa.
Amount in euros: €4,909.48.

Companies can apply circular economy principles by focusing on upcycling and continuously improving the outcomes of this process. In collaboration with Monash University (Australia), this project focuses on businesses that create and add value to residual resources (waste from other operations). The objective is to understand the key factors that make the initial intervention in the circular economy tangible and effective.

• Mura M.; Longo M.; Zanni S., Circular economy in Italian SMEs: A multi-method study, «JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION», 2020, 245, Article number: 118821, pp. 1 - 16

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  The study analyzes the adoption of circular economy practices in 254 Italian SMEs, exploring practices, barriers, and benefits through a multi-method approach. Companies implement multiple strategies, with a strong focus on waste management (84%), while resource savings are more limited (14%). Initial costs represent the main barrier, but those adopting circular economy practices view it as a strategic opportunity for value creation.