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RESEARCH AREAS

ECON-10/A – COMMODITY SCIENCES

Quality, Innovation and Sustainability

Quality represents a fundamental pillar of Commodity Sciences, closely linked to innovation and sustainability. Research focuses on improving product and process quality standards, promoting rigorous criteria for raw materials, and fostering responsible and informed consumption.

Key topics:

  • Improvement of quality standards and performance of products and supply chains
  • Consumer education and sustainable consumption
  • Certifications and sustainability indicators
  • Enhancement of Made in Italy and local territories
  • Product health, safety and traceability


Ecological Transition and Circular Economy

The ecological transition requires a revision of production and distribution processes to reduce environmental impacts and promote a circular economy. Commodity Sciences provide innovative tools and approaches for integrating ecological criteria into supply chains.

Key topics:

  • Circular economy and impact reduction
  • Life Cycle Thinking and assessment tools (LCA, LCC, S-LCA)
  • Industrial symbiosis
  • Sustainable supply chain management
  • Stakeholder engagement and social responsibility


Energy Transition

The energy transition is essential to reduce dependence on non-renewable resources and to strengthen the resilience of supply chains.

Key topics:

  • Adoption of renewable energy sources
  • Efficiency and optimisation of energy processes
  • Technologies and management practices for sustainable energy


Digital Transition and Technological Innovation

Digitalisation is a strategic lever for making production systems more sustainable, resilient and traceable. Digital technologies constitute key tools for supply chain innovation.

Key topics:

  • Digitalisation and traceability of supply chains
  • Waste reduction through digital technologies
  • Artificial intelligence, IoT and data analytics
  • Digital and 4.0 agriculture, smart farming and precision agriculture


Social and Territorial Dimension

This area focuses on the social, cultural and ethical impacts of production and consumption, with particular attention to communities, workers and collective well-being.

Key topics:

  • Quality of life and individual and social well-being
  • Consumer and supply chain health and safety
  • Stakeholder engagement and active participation
  • Social innovation in rural areas and production systems
  • Enhancement of local territories and identities