Fosso Imperatore Industrial Park
PRIN 2022 PNRR | NextGenerationEU

CE_IPSA

A Development Model for Circular Economy between Industrial Parks and Surroundings Areas

Project Code

P20227NFA4

Budget

€266,000

Duration

24 months (2023-2026)

CUP

UniOr C53D23008770001
UniMe J53D23016630001

The Project

Circular Economy and Industrial Symbiosis

The CE_IPsa project studies the implementation of Industrial Symbiosis (IS) and Circular Economy (CE) to increase resource efficiency, environmental and social sustainability, and economic competitiveness in production areas.

CE_IPsa builds a Development Model for industrial parks (IPs) combining Grounded Theory with Cost-Benefit Analysis and Multi-objective optimization. The industrial park becomes the reference subject with resource inflows and outflows; the surrounding areas become potential providers of secondary raw materials and destinations for by-products (re-use vs disposal).

The research path is structured into five operational steps (RA1-RA5), from the theoretical literature review through to the development of a Decision Support System (DSS) for policymakers and entrepreneurs.

Case Study

Fosso Imperatore Industrial Park

The case study is the Industrial Park of Nocera Inferiore, managed by the Consorzio di Imprese di Fosso Imperatore, in the Campania region. It is an ideal context for studying industrial symbiosis and circular economy in geographically limited areas: closing production loops is more feasible in small, well-defined contexts than at national scale.

Fosso Imperatore Industrial Park - view 1
Fosso Imperatore Industrial Park - view 2
Panoramic view of Fosso Imperatore Industrial Park

Fosso Imperatore Industrial Park, Nocera Inferiore (SA) | study area of the CE_IPSA project.

Engagement

Workshops and Stakeholder Engagement

The project includes direct engagement activities with territorial stakeholders through workshops, roundtables, and discussion sessions with entrepreneurs, administrators, and researchers to co-design the circular development model.

CE_IPSA stakeholder workshop speakers

Plenary session of the stakeholder workshop.

CE_IPSA circular economy panel discussion

Panel discussion on circular economy and industrial symbiosis.

Research Activities

The Five Operational Steps

RA1

Theoretical Literature Review

Systematic review of the literature on Industrial Symbiosis and Circular Economy: planning, monitoring, and evaluation of interventions in industrial parks.

RA2

Context Analysis

Mapping of the production fabric of the selected industrial park and surrounding areas: resource flows, economic actors, infrastructure, and potential synergies.

RA3

Development Model Definition

Construction of the Development Model integrating Grounded Theory, Cost-Benefit Analysis, and multi-objective optimization for the circular transition of the industrial park.

RA4

Development Plan Definition

Elaboration of the operational Development Plan to implement the circular transition in the territory, with objectives, timelines, and performance indicators.

RA5

DSS Development

Development of a Decision Support System for policymakers and entrepreneurs, supporting strategic decisions on circular economy implementation.

€266K

Budget

2

Research Units

10

Researchers

9

Publications

Output

Publications

Industrial Symbiosis Networks in Italian Industrial Parks: The Case of Fosso Imperatore

Springer 2026 Book Chapter
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-09062-1_10

A Circular Land Use Model for Reconciling Industrial Expansion with Agricultural Heritage

Sustainability 2025 Article
DOI: 10.3390/su17198830

A Development Model for Circular Economy Between Industrial Parks and Surroundings Areas: The Reverse Logistics Strategic Approach

Springer 2025 Book Chapter
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-80692-6_24
Team

Research Team

Napoli L'Orientale (Lead)

  • PI Roberta Arbolino
  • Alessandra De Chiara
  • Antonio Lopes
  • Luisa De Simone
  • Recruited Antonio Licastro
  • Recruited Maria Coscia

UniME

  • co-PI Giuseppe Ioppolo
  • Grazia Calabrò
  • Giuseppe Caristi
  • Recruited Carlotta D'Alessandro