NANOBOND
About this good practice
This new solution, will enable to reduce contaminated sludge and sediments in terms of volumes and costs of transport but also to convert the resulting solid and liquid wastes to a renewable clean resource to be use for instance in riverbanks settlements and any other applications. Morover, NANOBOND explores new solutions to dredging and sludge management linked to hydrogeological disruption and maintenance of harbour areas, emerging issues which are hugely increasingly worldwide. This innovative solution aims to became an efficient strategy to significantly reduce sludge and sediment contamination through (nano)remediation, since also easily scalable for large-scale in situ applications with competitive costs.
NANOBOND consortium includes:
• 70% of industrial partnership dealt with water management, sludge and dredged sediment disposal as well as in their risk assessment
• 30% of academia [including 4 distinct research groups] focused on synthesis, eco-safety, development and assessment of solutions and nanostructured materials for an eco-safe and sustainable (nano)reclamation
NANOBOND benefited of the support of the regional Technological District for Advanced Materials, where the idea was incubated and developed
Expert opinion
This is an inspiring example of an EU-funded regional innovation project linked to RIS3 that aims to develop a system for treating contaminated sludge. An essential feature of this large-scale project is the establishment of a well-functioning partnership between research institutions and industry representatives, as well as the collaboration with the relevant public authorities. The latter also contributed to removing legislative barriers to environmental protection which is an essential achievement of the project. From policy perspective the project is interesting for other MAs as it is in line with a strategy for rationalisation of the regional system for technology transfer that resulted in setting-up organized networks of industries and research centres focused on specific technical skills. Thus, the overall idea and approach can serve as an inspiration for other MAs to take similar steps. The technical achievements can be also useful for other regions, but it is to be noted that intellectual property rights should be considered.
Resources needed
Evidence of success
- Excellence of partnership (include the national Ministry of the Environment) has succeeded in removing legislative barriers to environmental innovation
- High potential for impact in terms of business and environment protection
- Results achieved using RIS3 and ERDF
Potential for learning or transfer
Nevertheless the KEY SUCCESS FACTOR was having on board industrial stakeholders with a clear business objective as well as a relevant institution able to CERTIFY the full respect of all regulatory issues dealing with environmental treatments. No future otherwise.
From the policy instruments point of view NANOBOND arises from:
A policy strategy of rationalization of the regional system for technology transfer that led to the creation of the Technology Districts (TD), organized networks of industries and research centres focused on specific technical skills
The Tuscany RIS3, developed in synergy with TDs and structured on 3 technological pillars from which originate several strategic applications addressed to different production contexts (e.g. Manufacturing) or societal challenges (e.g. Environment)
The ROP ERDF 2014-2020 Axis I, fully based on RIS3, which funded it
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
ASEV