Air pollution remains one of the most pressing environmental and public health challenges of our time, driving the search for innovative filtration technologies that are both effective and environmentally sustainable. The ARIS project, has been coordinated by CNR-ISOF (Dr. T. Posati, Dr. G. Sotgiu, Dr A. Torreggiani), in collaboration with CNR-ISAC (Dr. A. Nicosia, Dr. F. Ravegnani), ENEA, the University of Ferrara and with the support of the technical implants of the industrial partner Kerline Srl.
ARIS, supported by the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) through ECOSISTER Ecosystem for Sustainable Transition in Emilia-Romagna, within Spoke 3 (2025-2026), promoted the circular use of natural resources, aiming at establishing a strong technological platform for future eco-friendly air filtration systems. By integrating waste valorisation, advanced materials engineering, and sustainable manufacturing, the project contributed to reducing environmental impact while promoting circular economy strategies.
ARIS focused on two abundant waste streams from the agro-food and textile sectors, through advanced electrospinning technology, researchers have successfully produced ultrathin silk fibroin nanofibre membranes from waste silk and enhanced their functionality using natural polyphenols recovered from olive mill wastewater. These bio-based additives provide antibacterial activity for innovative pilot- scale membranes.
The project, for its innovative approach, has also received attention from major Italian media.
Here for more details: