Developed through a collaboration between Gruppo Hera, Medica Spa, and the National Research Council (CNR), the pilot plant removes micro-pollutants potentially present in water using innovative materials derived from the recovery of waste products from the biomedical industry. This unique experiment in Italy is part of the objectives of the EU-funded LIFE REMEMBRANCE project and represents an example of circular economy applied to research.
The pilot plant is called Water Living Lab and was created through the collaboration between Gruppo Hera, Medica Spa—leader in the production of biomedical equipment—and the National Research Council (CNR). It is capable of removing emerging micro-pollutants potentially present in water intended for drinking use.The Pontelagoscuro plant (Ferrara), which draws water directly from the Po River and makes it potable through a complete and safe treatment process, suitable for hosting industrial-scale experimentation, is the facility managed by the multi-utility where the new system has been installed. The system uses innovative materials derived from the recovery of waste products from the biomedical industry.
The Water Living Lab, a cornerstone of the LIFE REMEMBRANCE project (with a total investment of over €2.5 million, of which €1.2 million is funded by the European LIFE programme), was presented this morning by Alessandro Baroncini, Central Networks Director of Gruppo Hera; Letizia Bocchi, Head of Laboratory at Medica and project coordinator; and Manuela Melucci, researcher at the Institute for Organic Synthesis and Photoreactivity of the National Research Council (CNR-ISOF) and Technical Manager of the project.
Also speaking at the event were Irene Priolo, Vice President and Regional Councillor for Ecological Transition of the Emilia-Romagna Region; Maria Cristina Pasi, representative of Water Europe; and Lorenzo Poltronieri, President of the Ferrara City Council