Seven contributions, one goal: to bring scientific research to the heart of ecological transition and sustainable mobility. With this spirit, the CO-SMART project—an integral part of the National Centre for Sustainable Mobility (MOST)—took part in the III National Conference of the SCI Division of Chemistry for Technologies and the XIV Conference of the Italian Association of Chemistry for Engineering (AICIng), held in Milazzo from 1 to 4 September 2025.
Through oral presentations and scientific posters, researchers involved in Spokes 11 and 14 of the MOST project presented results that combine green chemistry, circular economy and innovation in the automotive field—once again demonstrating CO-SMART’s systemic and interdisciplinary approach.
From waste to smart materials
Prof. Maurizia Seggiani (University of Pisa) presented the study “Multifunctional Flexible Bio-based Polyurethane Foams Incorporating Phase Change Materials”, dedicated to sustainable, flexible polyurethane foams derived from waste cooking oil and phase change materials (PCM). The result is a multifunctional material capable of storing heat and providing thermal insulation, with potential applications in car interiors and the construction sector.
Antimicrobial fabrics from fishing nets
Dr Annafelicia Civitavecchia (Marche Polytechnic University) presented the work “Innovative Nonwoven Antimicrobial Fabrics from Discarded Fishing Nets”, focusing on recycling disused fishing nets to produce nonwoven fabrics with antimicrobial properties. Through integration with nanostructures (LDHs) and electrospinning, the team developed lightweight and safe materials for frequently touched surfaces—ideal for shared mobility.
Biolubricants from used cooking oil
In her presentation “Synthesis and Characterization of Waste Cooking Oil-Derived Polyols for Use as Biolubricants”, Dr Irene Anguillesi (University of Pisa) demonstrated how waste cooking oil can be transformed into bio-based polyols with excellent rheological and tribological performance. The final product: thermally stable, viscous and wear-resistant biolubricants designed to replace fossil-based lubricants in mechanical and automotive applications.
High-performance circular composites
Dr Damiano Rossi (University of Pisa) presented the study “Polyamide 6 recycled fishing nets modified with biochar fillers and reclaimed carbon fibres”, which combines recycled fishing nets, biochar from agricultural waste and recovered carbon fibres. The outcome is a strong, lightweight, and flame-retardant material that, according to LCA analysis, enables a reduction of over 5.7 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents per tonne produced.
From circuit boards to green fuel
With “Copper recovered from waste printed circuit boards as catalytic drive for methanol dehydration to dimethyl ether”, Dr Francesca Derobertis (Polytechnic University of Bari) illustrated a process for recovering copper from electronic waste (PCBs) and reusing it as a catalyst to produce dimethyl ether (DME), a clean alternative fuel to diesel. A proposal that merges e-waste recycling with the production of sustainable fuels.
Poster: five pathways for waste cooking oil
In her poster “Waste cooking oil valorization in the field of sustainable mobility”, Prof. Maria Michela Dell’Anna (Polytechnic University of Bari) illustrated five different approaches to converting waste cooking oil into industrial biolubricants, demonstrating the chemical versatility of a common household waste and its potential in the circular economy of mobility.
Poster: lignocellulosic residues as an energy resource
Prof. Piero Mastrorilli (Polytechnic University of Bari), in collaboration with ENEA, presented the poster “Utilization of Lignin-Rich Biorefinery Residues to Produce Biofuels and Value-Added Chemicals”, highlighting the valorisation of lignocellulosic residues from wheat straw to produce biofuels and industrially valuable chemicals via a catalytic hydrogenation process using Raney nickel. A concrete example of integration between bioenergy, agriculture and renewable fuels.
CO-SMART in Milazzo: an Italian model for technology transfer
CO-SMART’s participation in the Milazzo conference confirmed the strength of the national network built around the MOST project and its ability to translate research into practical solutions for industry. From organic waste to electronic scrap, from wheat straw to fishing nets, every study showed that chemistry can lead the ecological transition.
From the kitchen to the road, from the sea to the lab, CO-SMART demonstrates that the mobility of the future can be built starting from today’s waste—through intelligence, science and a systemic vision.
