hands of a chemist with pliers for analysis in the Rivoli laboratory

Innovation

Towards a sustainable future

New solutions for the challenges of our time

We invest in new technologies and sustainable practices to accelerate the processes of resource regeneration and remediation, to offer areas new economic and social growth opportunities and promote a balanced and resilient development model. We participate in research projects in collaboration with organisations and universities, and work in synergy with innovative businesses like the Tre Monti and Trireme companies.

chemical analyst performs an analysis on a sample in the Rivoli laboratory

Trireme’s eco-sustainable innovation

Trireme is a start-up that specialises in the development of innovative technologies for environmental remediation, through multidisciplinary eco-sustainable solutions. It originates from the collaboration between the Department of Chemistry at Sapienza University of Rome, the Water Research Institute of the CNR, and Edison Regea. It engages professionals with expertise acquired in national and European research projects to develop remediation strategies centred on environmental, social, and economic sustainability, as well as the use of advanced tools for the characterisation and monitoring of contaminated sites.

A pilot system under development

Together with Icaro Ecology SpA and IEG Technologie, Trireme is developing a modular, transportable pilot system capable of absorbing and biodegrading chlorinated solvents, which are among the most frequently encountered contaminants in ground water. The facility will be available for preventive and emergency safety interventions, as well as serving as a sustainable ground water treatment system.

Use of recovered materials

For the decontamination process, we use waste materials that have been recovered and given value within a circular economy framework: the biochar that retains contaminants is the remains from the pyrolysis of wood chips used for energy production; the biomass enriched with the polymer that stimulates the degradation of chlorinated solvents in the aquifer is derived from the treatment of the organic component of urban waste and agro-food waste.

The Tre Monti project

Thermal desorption in the Bussi sul Tirino SIN

Through the Tre Monti company, established with two other leading operators in environmental services, Greenthesis and ACR Reggiani (Hera Group), we are conducting a thermal desorption intervention at the Site of National Priority (SIN) in Bussi sul Tirino. This technology, still not widely used in Italy, allows for the treatment of deep-seated contaminants: thermal probes are used to heat the soil, causing the vaporisation of the volatile and semi-volatile substances present, which are then captured and directed into treatment facilities. Thermal desorption is effective for removing persistent pollutants, innovative, and sustainable in terms of land use.

Glossary

An in-depth look at the terminology of environmental remediation.

Find out more