Agri-food challenges take centre stage in the agreement between Politecnico and Inalpi
Innovation in food processing, environmental sustainability and the value of applied research are at the heart of the newly launched collaboration between Politecnico and Inalpi S.p.A., one of Italy's leading dairy companies. The aim of the collaboration is to develop new technological solutions for the agri-food sector and to help boost the competitiveness and sustainability of production supply chains.
Politecnico and Inalpi S.p.A. signed a framework agreement today for joint research, innovation and technology transfer activities in the fields of agri-food, environmental sustainability and industrial process optimization.
The university's scientific and technological expertise and Inalpi's industrial experience come together in a strategic collaboration aimed at addressing the agri-food sector's main challenges and developing innovative solutions that combine competitiveness, environmental sustainability and energy efficiency. Specific research projects will be developed as part of the collaboration, involving researchers, lecturers, doctoral students and young scholars from Politecnico di Torino, in close collaboration with Inalpi's technical and scientific staff.
Activities will initially focus on four strategic areas: the study of crystallisation processes in food products, with particular attention to butter used in pastry-making and optimising its processing and quality characteristics; the development of innovative systems for encapsulating and protecting sensitive micronutrients, such as heat-sensitive vitamins, intended for high-value functional foods; the testing of innovative, low-impact processing technologies, including High Pressure Processing (HPP) and radiofrequency treatments, to improve food preservation while retaining nutritional and sensory properties; and finally, the study of sustainable solutions for producing and cooling purified drinking water, with particular attention to the use of geothermal technologies and the assessment of their environmental impact on groundwater.
The agreement also provides for research contracts, doctoral scholarships, research grants and further advanced training initiatives, fostering the growth of new professional skills and the transfer of knowledge from academia to industry.
The agreement reflects the shared commitment of Politecnico and Inalpi to a joint path of research and innovation, capable of generating value for the production system, the scientific community and the entire Italian agri-food supply chain.
"Environmental sustainability and industrial process optimization are fundamental themes for Politecnico di Torino. That is why the agreement with Inalpi S.p.A., one of Italy's leading dairy companies, represents a valuable opportunity to contribute concretely to innovation in the sector – comments the Rector of Politecnico di Torino, Stefano Corgnati – Applied research is one of the pillars of this collaboration, allowing our university to put its scientific and technological expertise to work, combining it with Inalpi S.p.A.'s industrial know-how to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for the benefit of the entire sector".
"The ability to innovate comes from a willingness to look ahead, investing in research and knowledge to make sense of a constantly evolving landscape – says Cavaliere del Lavoro Ambrogio Invernizzi, President of Holding Inalpi S.p.A – Today our goal is not just to respond to the needs of the dairy market, but to anticipate change, staying ahead of new demands and the challenges facing the entire supply chain. That is why we believe dialogue between business and academia is a strategic factor in turning research into concrete solutions. Our collaboration with Politecnico di Torino fits fully within this vision. Developing knowledge together, turning it into real innovation and helping shape a new generation of professionals capable of driving our sector forward means investing in the future. We believe that nurturing talent, offering advanced training and the chance to engage with real challenges is the best way to generate lasting value for the company, for Italy's agri-food supply chain and for the country as a whole".