schedule

09:00 – 09:30. Registration.

Venue: Department of Chemical, Physics, Mathematics and Natural Science - University of Sassari. Vía Vienna, 2.

09:30 – 09:45. Welcome and Institutional Presentation from the University of Sassari.
Speakers: Dr. Sebastiano Garroni + Institutional Representative

Duration: 15 min

09:45 – 10:15. Introduction to the Course & WORLD Project Overview.
The project considers Waste Cooking Oils (WCOs) as a resource for non-food and non-fuel applications, within a circular economy framework.

Speaker: Prof. Andrea Mele, Politecnico di Milano.
Duration: 30 min

10:15 – 11:05. WORLD Technical Challenges & Partner Contributions.
The technology developed within the activities of the WORLD project, along with the contribution of each partner, will be discussed. 

Speaker: Dr. Alberto Mannu, University of Brescia and Advisory Board.
Duration: 50 min

11:05 – 11:30. Coffee Break

11:30 – 12:20. Introduction: Sustainability and Circular Economy.
This presentation will introduce the concepts of sustainability and circular economy, with a focus on the current production and consumption model, the principles of circular economy, the European regulations that support its development and an introduction to sustainability assessment.

Speaker:  Dr. Jesús Ibáñez, University of Burgos.
Duration: 50 min

12:20 – 13:00. Quality Assessment of Waste Cooking Oils.
The competition between edible and used vegetable oils as industrial raw materials is a critical issue in the EU, with significant economic implications for companies. Ensuring accurate quality assessment of waste oils is essential to prevent economic fraud. A possible solution related to the application of untargeted multivariate analysis based on spectroscopic data will be presented. 

Speaker: Dr. Alberto Mannu, University of Brescia and Advisory Board.
Duration: 40 min

13:00 – 14:00. Lunch Break

14:00 – 14:50. Sustainability Assessment Principles.
Environmental, economic, and social evaluation.

Speakers: Julieta Díez and Dr. Sonia Martel, University of Burgos.
Duration: 50 min

15:00 – 15:50. Synthesis of Products from Renewable Materials.
"A raw material or feedstock should be renewable rather than depleting whenever technically and economically practicable" states 7th principle of Green Chemistry . Realization of this principle for large-scale commodities of very low value, such as fuels (e.g. biodiesel), poses a problem of land use and low revenues. The design of products with high added value and innovative properties is therefore one of the strategies to realize a circular economy that is truly sustainable; the transformation of raw materials with processes that are efficient in terms of yield and energy expenditure constitutes another fundamental paradigm. Triglycerides, considering their low oxygen/carbon ratio, are appealing starting materials to substitute products that are traditionally derived from petroleum. The seminar will illustrate aspects related to the properties required for specific technological applications, how triglycerides meet (or not) specified properties, how they can be modified and the environmental impact of the reactions applied.

Speaker: Dr. Massimo Carraro, Univeristy of Sassari.
Duration: 50 min

From 16pm. Project Consortium Meeting (only for partners)
Coordinator: Prof. Andrea Mele (POLIMI).

09:00 – 09:30. Registration.

Venue: Department of Chemical, Physics, Mathematics and Natural Science - University of Sassari. Vía Vienna, 2.

09:30 – 10:20. Introduction to Green Metrics on Sustainability
Speaker: Prof. Andrea Mele. Politecnico di Milano (PoliMi).
Duration: 50 min

10:20 – 11:10. Eco-Friendly Routes in Solid-State Chemistry.
This presentation outlines sustainable synthesis strategies for advanced materials, with particular emphasis on the environmental advantages and structural outcomes of ball-milling and microwave-assisted techniques. These methods are assessed in terms of energy efficiency, reduced processing temperatures, and minimized environmental impact, especially when compared to conventional solid-state reactions. Particular attention is given to the tuning of process parameters, e.g. milling time, rotation speed, powder/ball for ball milling and type and quantity of susceptor, set-up configuration for microwave-material interactions. Thus, limit dramatically the energy consumption and material waste while achieving high-quality, functional materials. Both techniques are solvent-free and environmentally friendly. Ball-milling, in particular, is recognized for its scalability and effectiveness in low-temperature synthesis, including the formation of metastable phases. Microwave-assisted synthesis stands out for its rapid processing, enabled by volumetric heating, which significantly lowers energy demands. The integration of these two approaches can further enhance process sustainability and efficiency. Together, they align with the principles of the circular economy, offering a promising route toward greener material production.

Speaker: Dr. Laura Caggiu, University of Sassari (Italy).
Duration: 50 min

11:10 – 11:30. Coffee Break

11:30 – 12:20. Mechanical Processing and Material Characterization for the Circular Use of Bentonite in WCO Filtration.
The recycling of waste cooking oils (WCOs) is an important step toward greener and more circular chemical processes. In this presentation, we explore how natural bentonite clays can be used as effective materials to purify used oils, improving their properties and extending their usability. Through simple mechanical treatments, such as ball milling, we modify the structure and surface characteristics of bentonites, enhancing their performance without the need for chemical additives. A combination of advanced analytical techniques helps us understand the relationship between clay structure and activity. The results show that processed bentonites can significantly improve oil quality, offering a sustainable and low-cost solution for circular applications in oil purification. 

Speaker: Dr. Sebastiano Garroni, University of Sassari (Italy).
Duration: 50 min

12:20 – 13:10. Applications of Regenerated WCO as Gas Sorbent.
Speaker: Dr. Abbas Ahmad Kassem, Université du Littoral.
Duration: 50 min

13:10 – 14:10. Lunch Break

14:10 – 15:00. Deconstruction of Biomass and Valorization of its Fractions Using Natural Deep Eutectic Systems (NADES). 

Objective and Scope: Lignocellulose, as the most abundant carbon-neutral resource, is composed of heterogeneous polysaccharide and polyphenol skeletons. Over the long term, fractionation and downstream valorization of lignocellulose to value-added chemicals, fuels, and materials are expected to replace the traditional petrochemical products. Lignocellulose fractionation was successfully achieved in various solvent-based systems. However, efficient utilization of all lignocellulosic components remains challenging because of the recalcitrant structure of lignocellulose and a lack of control over fractionation systems. Furthermore, most fractionation systems have selectively sacrificed one component, hence, it is very difficult to consider the quality of all components during lignocellulose fractionation. The LUT Pilot Diol-tailored Deep Eutectic System (D-TDES) aims at a one-pot treatment that allows for a downstream valorization of all the components to versatile value-added products (Scheme 1). The D-TDES Pilot (TRL 5) will provide a superior lignocellulose refinery with a high total efficiency of up to 85% and shows many advantages over previous binary or ternary DES systems.  Key objectives include: (1) Complete residual biomass utilization (achieving near-zero waste by processing different residual biomasses (wood shaving, sawmill residuals, biogenic materials), (2) Production of value-added outputs (effective fractionate lignocellulose into three main fractions: high-quality cellulose fractions without undesirable lignin adsorption, hydroxyl-rich lignin polyols, and good yield of hemicellulose-derived xylose and furfural were obtained simultaneously, with options for downstream valorization. (3) A versatile value-added product such as high-quality cellulose, fine chemicals, nanomaterials, and natural polyols were obtained with a total yield of up to 85%. and (4) Sustainable operation using an inexpensive and nearly all bio-derived, that can be easily recycled in high yield and reused without losing their main effectiveness, and larger scale fractionation is also feasible. This Pilot will develop an efficient and sustainable route for lignocellulose refinery with appealing economic feasibility, showing good potential for application in future biorefinery practice. The principal goal is to link lab-scale innovations to a deployable pilot, aligning with circular economy and decarbonization goals (e.g. reducing open burning of residual biomasses and valorizing waste biomasses). By integrating multiple processes and energy sources in one setup, the pilot will generate data to justify progression to higher TRLs, guide scale-up, and inform techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life-cycle assessment (LCA).

 Speaker: Dr. Ikenna Anugwom, LUT University (Finland).
Duration: 50 min

15:00 – 15:50. Bio-Inspired Deep Eutectic Solvents for Selective PFAS Extraction: Multiscale Design and Circular Remediation Potential.
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) constitute a complex class of anthropogenic pollutants characterized by extreme chemical stability, high aqueous mobility, and pronounced bioaccumulative behavior. Their recalcitrance to degradation and ubiquity in environmental matrices have led to their classification as “forever chemicals,” prompting stringent regulatory actions and the urgent need for advanced remediation strategies. · A rational design framework is presented for the application of natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) in PFAS extraction from contaminated water sources. NADES, composed of bio-derived hydrogen bond donors and acceptors, offer tunable physicochemical properties, low toxicity, and enhanced environmental compatibility, aligning with principles of green chemistry and circular process engineering. (...)

Speaker: Prof. Santiago Aparicio, University of Burgos.
Duration: 50 min

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Evening

Social Dinner: each person covers their own expenses. Aprox. 45-50€ per menu.

Place: Ristorante RAICHINAS.

09:00 – 09:30. Registration

Venue: Department of Chemical, Physics, Mathematics and Natural Science - University of Sassari. Vía Vienna, 2.

09:30 – 10:20. Green and sustainable: case studies
Speaker: Prof. Andrea Mele. Politecnico di Milano (PoliMi).
Duration: 50 min

10:20 – 11:10. The use of market research as a tool for data collection and market segmentation. Case study: Waste Oils RecycLe and Development Market research is a discipline that deals with the systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of data about a market, consumers, competitors and the environment in which the company operates. The main objective of a market research study is to provide relevant and reliable information to support corporate decision-making. The main objectives include: customer segmentation; the assessment of customer satisfaction; competition analysis; demand forecasting; the testing of new concepts or products. Market research is based on the scientific method, which involves a logical and rigorous sequence: Identification of the problem or opportunity; Formulation of hypotheses; Design of data collection; Analysis and interpretation of results; Drawing conclusions and recommendations. 

Speaker: Giovanni Fiorile, Consumer & Sensory Science Expert at Smart Sensory Solutions.
Duration: 50 min

11:10 – 11:30. Coffee Break

11:30 – 12:20. Flash Presentations.
Flash presentations of posters and science communications.

See the flash presentation schedule

Duration: 50 min

12:20 – 12:30. Poster Evaluation

12:30 – 12:40. Best Poster Certificate & Closure.
Speakers: Dr. Sebastiano Garroni (UNISS) as host of the event, and Prof. Andrea Mele (POLIMI), as project coordinator.
Duration: 10 min