Unigrà is taking part in the programme that brings companies and innovators together to pursue sustainability goals. The 2025 focus: calculating greenhouse gas emissions along the palm oil supply chain.
Environmental sustainability is a global priority, and the collaboration between the scientific community and industry serves as a powerful driver of ecological transition. In Emilia-Romagna, this collaboration has become a reality thanks to the Ecosister project and the International Open Innovation Programme call, in which Unigrà participated.
Sustainability: a shared challenge
Funded by Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and the Ministry of Universities and Research, and supported by the Emilia-Romagna Region, this is a challenge-based programme aimed at local companies in Emilia and Romagna. It invites startups, spin-offs, and researchers to propose concrete solutions to reduce the environmental impact of their production processes. The call closed on 14 October at the DAMA Technopole in Bologna, during an event that gathered more than 400 institutional guests and representatives from industry and innovation sectors.
Two projects for Unigrà
Unigrà has taken part in two editions of the International Open Innovation Programme. The first project focused on the valorisation of waste oils, a by-product of refining which, thanks to collaboration with a specialised startup, was transformed into raw material for the production of lipsticks and other cosmetic products. In this second edition, themed System Innovation, Unigrà aims to find solutions to accurately estimate greenhouse gas emissions along the palm oil supply chain — the company’s core business — and to measure environmental impact from cultivation to finished product. This challenge contributes to achieving three UN Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). After the scouting phase, Unigrà selected a partner to develop a more accurate and applicable calculation system, which will help the company optimise its supply chain and reduce environmental impact.
A win–win system
The idea of fostering cooperation between research and industry on a shared challenge is proving to be a winning formula for both sides: innovators, who propose solutions, have the opportunity to test their ideas in a real-world context, while companies can adopt cutting-edge technologies. This is also confirmed by the MIA 2025 Report, presented during the 14 October event: over 60% of companies in Emilia-Romagna have grown over the past three years, and an increasing number consider universities and research centres as strategic partners for developing sustainable innovation. Because today, sustainability is no longer just an ethical choice — it is a competitive strategy that allows companies to stand out in a market that is increasingly attentive to the environment.