BIC signs MOU with Italian green chemistry cluster

The Italian Technology Cluster of Green Chemistry (SPRING) is a non-profit association founded by the initiative of four founding members: Biochemtex, Novamont, Versalis and Federchimica, the Italian Federation of Chemical industry. SPRING members all operate in the bioeconomy sector in various ways and represent the whole Italian industry of ‘green’ chemistry.

This partnership aims to work together in the field of research and development and further implementation of novel high-tech projects, including technologies in the area of conversion of biomass and renewable raw materials into value-added bio-based products.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) – with immediate effect – was signed by BIC’s Executive Director, A.J. (Sandy) Marshall and Cluster Coordinator of SPRING, Mario Bonaccorso, at the IFIB 2018 International Forum on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioeconomy in Italy.

The MOU calls for collaboration in areas such as: exchanging information, to establish business relations between their networks, to promote the human capital agenda and to develop research, development and demonstration projects for technologies that convert sustainable feedstocks into energy and value-added chemicals.

“BIC and SPRING saw the opportunity to collaborate and leverage the free trade agreements with Europe, specifically the Canada–European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA),” says A.J. (Sandy) Marshall. This new partnership adds to our existing European relationships, such as the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO) and Bio-Based Delta. This MOU continues to strengthen BIC’s international connectivity.”

“The bioeconomy – states Giulia Gregori, Secretary General of Cluster SPRING – feeds on collaborations and exchange of good practices. This is the spirit of IFIB, which has also led us to organize a Round Table with the Dutch Biobased Delta, the French IAR -Pole, the Belgian GeenWin and the Canadian BioIndustrial Innovation Canada, the major bioeconomy clusters in the world. We are very pleased to announce that SPRING has signed a memorandum of understanding with BIC, aiming at strengthening the relationship not only between our Clusters, but also with the worlds of companies and research, that we respectively represent.”